To check your vehicle's lights before a trip, you should set the parking brake, turn off the engine, remove the key from the ignition, and take the key with you. Turn on your low beam headlights and four-way flashers. Get out of the vehicle to make sure the lights are working properly.

Look at your truck's gauges when starting the engine. The oil pressure in an engine should come up to a normal level within seconds of the vehicle's engine being started.

Large vehicles often have curved, convex mirrors, sometimes referred to as "fisheye," "spot," or "bug-eye" mirrors. These mirrors provide a wider view than flat mirrors. However, they also make objects seem smaller and farther away than they actually are.

When inspecting a vehicle with power steering, check the hoses, pumps, and fluid level. In particular, you should look for leaks in the hoses.

When inspecting a vehicle, you should ensure that dual tires do not come into contact with each other or with other parts of the vehicle. Tire sizes should not be mismatched, and tires should not be cut or damaged in any way. Regrooved, recapped, or retreaded tires are not permitted to be used on the front wheels of a bus.

Due to a high center of gravity, tank vehicles are especially prone to tipping over in turns and curves. To counteract this, you should take curves and ramps at speeds that are well below the posted limits.

You should stay in the right lane of a multilane road if your vehicle is being slowed down by a heavy load. Allow other vehicles to pass your truck using the left lane.

For safe driving, it is essential that you maintain cushions of space on all sides of your vehicle. This helps to ensure that you will have time to take appropriate action if a problem arises.

Hazardous materials warning placards are diamond-shaped.

When inspecting a vehicle's suspension, you should look for broken or missing leaves in the leaf springs. Any defect of this kind is dangerous. If one-fourth or more of the leaves are missing from any leaf spring, the vehicle must be put out-of-service.

When filling a tank that is divided by bulkheads, make sure that you do not place too much weight on the front or rear of the vehicle.

Always drive cautiously around a stopped bus. Passengers may cross in front of or behind it, and the bus may prevent them from seeing your vehicle.

Tank vehicles' high centers of gravity make them vulnerable to rollover. To reduce this risk, they should be driven well below the posted speed limits on curves and ramps.

After starting a vehicle's engine, the warning lights and buzzers should turn on, then quickly turn off.

Among other requirements, hazardous materials placards must be placed at least three inches away from any other markings; away from ladders or other attachments or devices; on backgrounds of contrasting color; and upright, with words or numbers level and reading left to right.

Before starting down a hill, decelerate and shift down into a gear that will allow you to control your vehicle without braking too hard. Using too much brake when driving downhill can cause the brakes to overheat, reducing the braking power.

Reduce your speed as you approach a railroad crossing. Remember that you will not necessarily be able to hear a train, and don't assume that signals will warn you of its approach. Never try to outdrive an approaching train at a railroad crossing.

The earliest and best way to recognize the beginnings of a trailer skid is by seeing the trailer veer off-course in your mirrors.

Ice cream trucks can create hazardous conditions for other drivers because they attract children. Children often do not notice or pay attention to other vehicles on the roadway when running to or from ice cream trucks.

It is important to take turns and curves at a safe speed. You should always downshift before entering a curve.