Understand the importance of the transportation industry
Identify the federal and state agencies which regulate the transportation industry and its drivers
Understand the importance of compliance with applicable state and local laws relating to the safe operation of a CMV
Identify the federal and state requirements for driver qualifications
Use the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Pocketbook
Identify and explain driver disqualification provisions and fines for non-compliance of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
Understand and explain driver responsibilities, to include driving and non-driving duties
Explain the Hazardous Materials Regulations that all drivers should know
Understand port (TWIC) and border crossing entry and exit procedures
Understand inspection station procedures
Understand basic vehicle definitions and their components, including special rig configurations
Understand the key systems of a combination vehicle and how they function
Understand how the key systems of a combination vehicle function together in vehicle operations
Identify and describe engine controls
Identify locate and state the function of each of the primary vehicle controls, including those required for steering, accelerating, shifting, braking and parking
Identify locate and state the function of each of the secondary vehicle controls including those required for control of lights, signals, windshield wipers and washers, interior climate, engine starting and shut down, and suspension and coupling
Identify locate and state the function of each of the vehicle gauges and instruments, including the acceptable operating range of each to monitor vehicle and engine speed as well as the status of the fuel, oil, air, cooling, exhaust, and electrical systems
Understand the importance of Federal, Sate and local regulations governing inspections, including special regulations for hazardous materials
Describe procedures for performing accurate and efficient pre-trip inspections
Identify the location, function, operation and common failures of critical components ion a combination vehicle
Understand en route inspection requirements
Describe procedures for performing accurate and efficient post-trip inspections, including completion of a driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR)
Understand the procedures for starting, warming up, and shutting down the engine of a commercial vehicle
Understand how to put a commercial vehicle into motion and how to stop it properly, including proper sue of the clutch and key factors affecting barking distance
Understand the concept of negotiating a turn in a combination vehicle, including path adjustments for off tracking, proper mirror usage, and monitoring traffic
Understand the concept of reverse steering a combination vehicle while backing up
Understand the basic shifting patterns and procedures for shifting different transmissions
Trace the key elements required to properly shift a non-synchronous transmission
Understand the importance of synchronizing RPM with MPH for successful shifting and vehicle control
Estimate outcomes of proper shifting in terms of improved fuel mileage, reduced operating costs and other benefits
Understand the basics of automatic and semiautomatic transmissions
Recognize common shifting errors and their consequences
Explain the steering principles of backing a commercial vehicle
Understand the rules for safely backing a commercial vehicle, including proper set up position, path and clearance recognition, idle speed, mirror usage and "Get Out and Look" (GOAL) principles
Understand the principles of basic backing maneuvers in a commercial vehicle, including sight-side and blind-side backing
Explain the importance of assessing dock areas for obstructions, position and path
Understand the rules and procedures for backing in and across traffic
Estimate why the "best" backing is finding a way not to back
Describe the basic steps for coupling and uncoupling a combination vehicle (applicable to class A only)
Explain the importance of tractor trailer securement during coupling and uncoupling procedures (applicable to class A only)
Estimate the importance of tractor alignment andspeed during coupling procedures (applicable to class A only)
Estimate how to test the coupling connection (applicable to class A only)
Explain the importance of verifying landing gear retraction and trailer clearance prior to driving (applicable to class A only)
Explain the importance of confirming trailer number and trailer inspection prior to driving (applicable to class A only)
Understand that improper coupling and its consequences are preventable (applicable to class A only)