Commercial Driver License Manual for
School Bus.
At what age can one obtain a commercial A,B or C
Must be 21, however at age 18 a client may obtain a CDL, but they would not be eligible for the
Hazardous Materials Endorsement and they will be restricted to drive inside North Carolina only.
Chemical Analysis Consent
Anyone who holds a commercial driver license automatically agrees for a chemical analysis consent is
implied by driving a commercial motor vehicle on the streets and highways of North Carolina. A
commercial driver will be suspended and CDL disqualified for one year if he/she willfully refuses a
chemical analysis.
What can make you CDL disqualified for life?
If you use a CMV to commit a felony involving the manufactured, distribution, or dispensing a controlled
substance or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance.
Why inspect your vehicle?
Safety is the most important reason you inspect your vehicle, safety for yourself and for other road
users.
What are some types of vehicle inspections?
Check critical items when you stop, like tires, wheels, rims and brakes. Lights and reflectors, and cargo
securement devices.
What to look for with tires?
You need at least 4/32 inch tread depth in every major groove on front tires. You need 2/32 inch on
other tires.
How do you know if you have bad drums or shoes?
Cracked drums, shoes or pads with oil, grease, or brake fluid on them.
What emergency equipment must a vehicle be equipped with?
Fire extinguisher(s), Spare electrical fuses, Warning devices for parked vehicles, three reflective triangles.
For review of last vehicle inspection report what must you do?
You must sign the report only if defects were noted and certified to be required or not needed to be
repaired.
What must you do to check the engine?
,You may have to raise the hood, tilt the cab or open the engine compartment door to check the engine
old level, coolant level in radiator, condition of hoses, power steering fluid levels, battery fluid levels and
automatic transmission fluid levels.
A driver must?
Do a walk-around inspection of the vehicle.
After starting the engine and check the vehicle:
Test for hydraulic leaks, if the vehicle has hydraulic breaks, pump the brake pedal three times. Then apply
firm pressure to the pedal and hold for five seconds. It should not move, if it does then her may be a leak
or other problem.
After a trip what should the inspection report have on it?
Report anything affecting safety or possibly leading to mechanical breakdown.
What to do when accelerating and what can happen when you do?
Put on the parking brake whenever necessary to keep from rolling back. Rough acceleration can cause
mechanical damage.
When steering:
Hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands, the wheel could pull away from you hands unless you
have a firm hold.
Backing Safely
Is always dangerous, avoid backing whenever you can.
When backing and turning:
Back to the driver's side so that you can see better. Use a helper when you can. There are blind spots you
can
't see. Agree on a signal for "stop"!
What should should you know about shifting up?
To use engine speed (rpm), watch your tachometer, and shift up when your engine reaches the top of
the range.
What are special conditions where you should downshift?
Before starting down a hill and before entering a curve.
For an automatic transmission why use a low range going down grades?
To get grater engine braking when going down grades. It is very important to use this breaking effect
when going down grades.
How far ahead should a driver look?
, Most good drivers look at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead, at highway speeds it's about a quarter of a mile.
Good drivers shift their attention back and forth, near and far.
Mirror adjustment should be checked prior to the start of any trip and can only be checked accurately:
When the trailer (s) are straight.
What is the blind spot?
Areas your mirrors cannot show you.
When merging:
Make sure the gap in traffic is large enough for you to enter safely.
Many large vehicles have curved ( convex, "fisheye," "spot:, Bug-eye")?
Mirrors that show a wider area then a flat mirrors. Things also seem farther away than they really are.
Before a turn a driver should?
Signal early
With lane changes a driver should?
Put signal light on before changing lanes. The driver should change lanes slowly and smoothly.
A driver must use?
Flashers for times when they are driving very slowly or are stopped.
A driver is who is passing:
Must assume that other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists don't see you..
When is it hard to see?
At dawn, dusk, in rain or snow, so you must make yourself easier to be see. Turn on your lights.
When parked on the side of the road:
turn on the for way emergency flashers.
If you stop on or by a one-way or divided highway:
Place a warning devices 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic.
When pulling out the triangles:
Hold them between yourself and the oncoming traffic for your own safety.
Use your horn when needed
It can help to avoid a crash.
Controlling speed:
School Bus.
At what age can one obtain a commercial A,B or C
Must be 21, however at age 18 a client may obtain a CDL, but they would not be eligible for the
Hazardous Materials Endorsement and they will be restricted to drive inside North Carolina only.
Chemical Analysis Consent
Anyone who holds a commercial driver license automatically agrees for a chemical analysis consent is
implied by driving a commercial motor vehicle on the streets and highways of North Carolina. A
commercial driver will be suspended and CDL disqualified for one year if he/she willfully refuses a
chemical analysis.
What can make you CDL disqualified for life?
If you use a CMV to commit a felony involving the manufactured, distribution, or dispensing a controlled
substance or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance.
Why inspect your vehicle?
Safety is the most important reason you inspect your vehicle, safety for yourself and for other road
users.
What are some types of vehicle inspections?
Check critical items when you stop, like tires, wheels, rims and brakes. Lights and reflectors, and cargo
securement devices.
What to look for with tires?
You need at least 4/32 inch tread depth in every major groove on front tires. You need 2/32 inch on
other tires.
How do you know if you have bad drums or shoes?
Cracked drums, shoes or pads with oil, grease, or brake fluid on them.
What emergency equipment must a vehicle be equipped with?
Fire extinguisher(s), Spare electrical fuses, Warning devices for parked vehicles, three reflective triangles.
For review of last vehicle inspection report what must you do?
You must sign the report only if defects were noted and certified to be required or not needed to be
repaired.
What must you do to check the engine?
,You may have to raise the hood, tilt the cab or open the engine compartment door to check the engine
old level, coolant level in radiator, condition of hoses, power steering fluid levels, battery fluid levels and
automatic transmission fluid levels.
A driver must?
Do a walk-around inspection of the vehicle.
After starting the engine and check the vehicle:
Test for hydraulic leaks, if the vehicle has hydraulic breaks, pump the brake pedal three times. Then apply
firm pressure to the pedal and hold for five seconds. It should not move, if it does then her may be a leak
or other problem.
After a trip what should the inspection report have on it?
Report anything affecting safety or possibly leading to mechanical breakdown.
What to do when accelerating and what can happen when you do?
Put on the parking brake whenever necessary to keep from rolling back. Rough acceleration can cause
mechanical damage.
When steering:
Hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands, the wheel could pull away from you hands unless you
have a firm hold.
Backing Safely
Is always dangerous, avoid backing whenever you can.
When backing and turning:
Back to the driver's side so that you can see better. Use a helper when you can. There are blind spots you
can
't see. Agree on a signal for "stop"!
What should should you know about shifting up?
To use engine speed (rpm), watch your tachometer, and shift up when your engine reaches the top of
the range.
What are special conditions where you should downshift?
Before starting down a hill and before entering a curve.
For an automatic transmission why use a low range going down grades?
To get grater engine braking when going down grades. It is very important to use this breaking effect
when going down grades.
How far ahead should a driver look?
, Most good drivers look at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead, at highway speeds it's about a quarter of a mile.
Good drivers shift their attention back and forth, near and far.
Mirror adjustment should be checked prior to the start of any trip and can only be checked accurately:
When the trailer (s) are straight.
What is the blind spot?
Areas your mirrors cannot show you.
When merging:
Make sure the gap in traffic is large enough for you to enter safely.
Many large vehicles have curved ( convex, "fisheye," "spot:, Bug-eye")?
Mirrors that show a wider area then a flat mirrors. Things also seem farther away than they really are.
Before a turn a driver should?
Signal early
With lane changes a driver should?
Put signal light on before changing lanes. The driver should change lanes slowly and smoothly.
A driver must use?
Flashers for times when they are driving very slowly or are stopped.
A driver is who is passing:
Must assume that other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists don't see you..
When is it hard to see?
At dawn, dusk, in rain or snow, so you must make yourself easier to be see. Turn on your lights.
When parked on the side of the road:
turn on the for way emergency flashers.
If you stop on or by a one-way or divided highway:
Place a warning devices 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic.
When pulling out the triangles:
Hold them between yourself and the oncoming traffic for your own safety.
Use your horn when needed
It can help to avoid a crash.
Controlling speed:
