If the weight of your vehicle prevents you from matching the speed of surrounding traffic, you should stay in the right lane, if possible.

If a hazardous materials label will not fit on a package, it may be placed on a tag that is securely attached to the package.

Drivers are required by state and federal law to inspect their vehicles before beginning to drive.

When inspecting your vehicle's engine, check the belts for tightness and excessive wear. The amount of "give" that is safe for each belt in a given engine will vary, so learn what is appropriate for your vehicle.

At times when visibility is low, you should turn your headlights on to the low beam setting. If you are having a difficult time seeing others, they are probably having a difficult time seeing you.

The suspension system keeps a vehicle's axles in place. Damaged suspension parts, such as leaking shock absorbers, may be potentially dangerous defects on a vehicle.

Hazardous materials packages with containers of liquid inside must have orientation markings with arrows pointing in the direction that should be upright.

Slow down and be very careful if you see foreign objects in your lane. Remember that even something that seems relatively light and harmless, like a cardboard box, could contain harder or heavier items that could cause damage to your vehicle.

Always be sure that you are driving in a manner that will allow your vehicle to come to a complete stop, if necessary, within the area of the road ahead that you are able to see.

For the safety of everyone on the road, it is essential that you maintain adequate cushions of space between your vehicle and other vehicles. This will help ensure that if you need to stop your vehicle, you will be able to do so without hitting someone else.

If a hazard requires you to drive onto the shoulder of a road, you should try to keep one set of wheels on the pavement to maintain better control of your vehicle. If possible, stay on the shoulder until your vehicle has come to a complete stop, then pull back onto the road when it is safe to do so.

Mandatory emergency equipment includes: at least one fire extinguisher; spare electrical fuses (unless the vehicle is equipped with circuit breakers); and warning devices for parked vehicles (such as reflective triangles).

While driving, you should continually scan the road ahead to spot potential hazards well in advance. Make emergency plans for how to deal with the hazards in the event that they become dangerous.

Drivers who are holding conversations with others may not be paying full attention to the road and may make unsafe moves. Children do not always pay attention to traffic and may dart into the road without looking. Exercise caution when driving near road workers. This helps to keep the workers and other distracted drivers safe.

Before inspecting the engine compartment, make sure that the parking brakes are on and/or the wheels are chocked. Check the engine compartment before entering the cab and starting the engine.

Many large vehicles have curved, convex mirrors. Convex mirrors allow drivers to see a wider area than flat mirrors. However, they also make objects seem smaller and farther away than they really are.

Hazardous materials warning placards must be used on all four sides of a vehicle transporting hazardous materials.

Hydroplaning is an effect in which a vehicle's tires lose traction with the surface of the road and instead glide along a layer of water. There does not have to be much water on the road for this to occur.

The use of cargo heaters is not always permitted. When transporting materials that are categorized as Class 1 (Explosives), Class 2.1 (Flammable Gas), or Class 3 (Flammable Liquids) materials, heaters are generally prohibited.

In conditions of poor visibility (such as at dawn, at dusk, in rain, or in snow), you should turn on your low beam headlights to make your vehicle easier to see. Do not use your high beams when driving near other vehicles.

When inspecting your brakes, you should verify that the shoes and pads do not have any oil, grease, or brake fluid on them.

A vehicle being equipped with anti-lock brakes on only the tractor or only the trailer provides additional control during braking.

Any foreign object on the road is potentially dangerous. For example, something seemingly harmless, such as a cardboard box or paper sack, could contain a hard or heavy object that could do serious damage to a vehicle.

Use a floor lining when transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 materials. The floors should be tight and the liner must be made from either non-metallic material or non-ferrous metal. Non-ferrous metals are metals that do not contain iron or iron alloys.

Always slow down before entering a foggy area. Use low beam headlights, avoid passing others, and avoid stopping on the side of the roadway. It is safest to completely avoid driving under foggy conditions, if possible.

Drivers with blocked vision may pose hazards to others on the road. Examples of such drivers include those who haven't scraped ice off of their windshields; those driving vehicles loaded with large items blocking the windows; and those who are driving rental trucks without being used to the limited rear visibility of a truck.

Always signal well ahead of a turn or lane change. Signal continuously until you have completed the turn or lane change, then be sure to cancel the signal so you do not confuse other drivers.

Most good drivers consistently look down the road 12 to 15 seconds ahead of their vehicles. Watching ahead of your vehicle will allow you to react to upcoming hazards before meeting them.

To obtain an original or renewed hazardous materials endorsement, you must pass a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check.

If you must stop on the side of the road, you should turn on your emergency flashers and place the appropriate warning signals to warn other drivers.