Skids caused by acceleration frequently occur on slippery road surfaces. These skids can generally be resolved by the driver removing their foot from the accelerator.

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 a large amount of water on the road for this to occur. Hydroplaning can begin at speeds as low as 30 mph.

Indicators of drowsiness while driving include your eyes closing or going out of focus by themselves, having trouble keeping your head up, and drifting between lanes.

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.

Even under ideal weather conditions, a bus being driven at the posted design speed for a curve could either roll over or slide off the road. For safety, you should reduce your speed before driving a bus around a curve.

Strong winds can make it difficult for a driver to maintain control of their vehicle. Usually, this is especially true for drivers of lighter CMVs.

Driving at night is more dangerous than driving during the day. It is more difficult for drivers to see hazards, the glare of headlights can affect drivers' vision, and there are more fatigued and impaired drivers on the road.

If you encounter a driver who seems distracted on the road, you should give them plenty of room and maintain a safe following distance.

If you must back up, you should exit the cab and check your path for obstacles before beginning the maneuver. Drive as slowly as you can, checking your mirrors on both sides.

When inspecting a tractor/trailer coupling, look into the fifth wheel gap and make sure the locking jaws are fully closed around the kingpin.

Check your engine during the pre-trip inspection. After starting the engine, you should listen for unusual noises.

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

As a part of earning your CDL, you will have to pass an inspection test and demonstrate that your vehicle is safe for operation. During the vehicle inspection test, you will have to walk around the vehicle and point to or touch each item and explain to the examiner what you are checking and why. You will not have to crawl under the hood or under the vehicle.

You should always make sure that your vehicle will be able to stop within the area of the road that you are able to see. This means that you must slow down whenever conditions reduce visibility.

Be cautious when driving near people who are not paying attention to the road. Be wary of road workers, drivers who are engaged in conversation with passengers, and children near the road.

Backing a commercial motor vehicle is always dangerous because you cannot see everything behind you. When backing, make frequent checks of the mirrors on both sides of the vehicle.

Most cases of hydraulic brake failure come from one of two causes. The brakes may fail due to a loss of hydraulic pressure or due to overuse on long hills, causing the brakes to fade.

Be sure to activate the appropriate turn signal well in advance of a turn or lane change. Signal continuously throughout the turn and make sure to cancel the signal after the turn is completed, if your vehicle doesn't have self-canceling signals.

At the end of each day of driving, you may be required to make a written report on the vehicle or vehicles driven. Be sure to make note of any issues that could affect the safety of the vehicle or that could lead to a mechanical breakdown.

If you are asked to complete an offset back/left parking maneuver, you should first pull straight forward, then back up to the left. Your vehicle must be parked completely within the boundaries of the parking space.