Backing is always dangerous because it is impossible to see everything that is behind your vehicle. Only drive in reverse if it is absolutely necessary.

If you encounter an aggressive driver, you should not let yourself be provoked by any angry gestures they make toward you. Avoid making eye contact with the other driver and do not try to race them.

Using a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a CMV is both illegal and dangerous.

Passing an accident scene can be hazardous because the people involved in the accident may not be watching traffic, and the scene itself may distract other passing drivers. Ice cream trucks can create hazardous conditions because they attract children who may not pay attention to nearby vehicles. Shoppers near the roadway are often paying attention to stores, not passing traffic.

If confronted by an aggressive driver, it is most important to get out of their way. Avoid making eye contact and do not gesture at them. Report them to the appropriate authorities once you can safely do so.

A bus should not be refueled while passengers are on board, unless it is absolutely unavoidable. A bus with passengers on board should never be refueled inside an enclosed building.

There are several reasons why driving at night is more difficult 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 drivers on the road.

When inspecting your brakes, you should check for cracked drums; shoes or pads covered in oil, grease, or brake fluid; and shoes that are missing, broken, or worn dangerously thin.

Always change lanes slowly and smoothly to maintain control of your vehicle. Doing this will also allow a driver that you did not see time to move out of the way of your vehicle. Use the proper turn signal to communicate with other road users.

Blocking and bracing are techniques to keep cargo from shifting in transit. A piece of cargo should be blocked to its front, back, and/or sides to prevent movement.

A broken exhaust system can let poisonous fumes into a vehicle's cab or sleeper berth. Be sure to inspect your exhaust system for any loose, broken, or missing parts.

The securement of cargo must be checked before beginning a trip, within the first 50 miles of a trip, and then again every three hours or 150 miles.

Black ice is a thin layer of ice that is clear enough for the road surface to be seen through it. Be alert to black ice any time the temperature is below freezing and the road surface looks wet.

The top portion of the overhead inside rearview mirror should be positioned to display the top of the bus's rear window. This mirror positioning should allow the driver to see all of the students on the bus, including the heads of the students sitting immediately behind the driver.

Over-length, over-width, and/or overweight loads may require special permits from the Department of Transportation.

If a school bus is equipped with alternating flashing amber warning lights, they should be activated at least 200 feet (approximately 5 to 10 seconds) before a stop, unless state law requires otherwise.

Buses should be inspected at the end of every trip. Key safety items could have been damaged by passengers, so an inspection allows these damages to be repaired before another trip is made.

If an emergency vehicle with its lights on is stopped on the side of the road, move over laws require drivers to vacate the lane directly next to the vehicle, if possible. If a driver cannot move over safely, they must slow down and proceed with caution.

You should cover your cargo to protect people from the cargo if it spills, as well as to protect the cargo from the weather.

Alcohol consumption impairs muscle coordination, reaction time, depth perception, vision, judgement, and inhibition. For some people, signs of impairment may begin with the first drink of alcohol. It is safest to not operate any motor vehicle after consuming alcohol in any amount.