Chapter 1 - Preparing To Drive: Your Vehicle

Question 1

In your vehicle, what should you adjust before you start your engine?

Answer 1

Before you start your engine:
• be sure vehicle is in park or neutral.
• adjust the seat so you can reach all controls.
• adjust all rear-view mirrors so that you can use them without having to lean forward or backward.
• move anything that blocks your view of mirrors or roadway.
• lock all car doors.
• put on your seat belt and make sure all passengers do the same.

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Question 2

What are the equipment requirements for windshields and side windows?

Answer 2

• Windshields – Must be safety glass and may not be covered or treated with any material that makes the windshield reflective or non-transparent. Must be free of any stickers not required by law.
• Side & Rear Windows – May not be composed of, covered by, or treated with any material which has a highly reflective or mirrored appearance and reflects more than 25% of the light (side windows) or more than 35% of the light (rear window).

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Question 3

What are bumper height requirements? Are they the same for every vehicle?

Answer 3

A. Owners of automobiles and pickup trucks are required to have both front and rear bumpers mounted within certain height levels.
B. No. Height limitations are governed by the net shipping weight of the vehicle, not the modified or altered weight.

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Question 4

What must you do if hauling a load of material which could fall or blow onto the roadway?

Answer 4

Secure the load. You must use a close-fitting cover when hauling loads which could fall or blow onto the roadway (e.g., dirt, sand, gravel).

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Question 5

When a projected load extends more than 4 feet from the vehicle, what must you use to clearly mark it in the daytime? At night?

Answer 5

A. During the day, red f lags at least 18 inches square must mark the extremities of the load.

B. Requirements from sunset to sunrise, and during any rain, smoke, or fog:
• two red lamps on the back of the load that can be seen from at least 500 feet to the rear;
• two red reflectors on the rear that can be seen from 100 to 600 feet when directly in front of low beam headlights, and located to show the load’s full width;
• one red lamp on each side of the load, visible from at least 500 feet to show maximum overhang of load.

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