Section 2 Driving Safely Flashcards
When should vehicle inspections be performed?
Vehicle inspections should be completed pre-trip, during trip, and an after trip inspection and report should be completed.
What is the required tread depth for front and rear tires?
Front tires require at least 4/32 inch tread and rear tires require at least 2/32 of an inch tread.
What might rust around wheel nuts indicate?
Rust around wheel nuts may mean the nuts are loose. Check tightness.
What degree of steering wheel play is acceptable?
Steering wheel play should not exceed 10° in either direction.
Ex. 2” of play on a 20” steering wheel. 
How many missing or broken spring leaves are acceptable before the vehicle must be placed out of service?
If 1/4 or more are missing, or damaged, it will put the vehicle out of service.
What is the minimum required emergency warning devices that must be present during inspection?
Vehicles must have three reflective triangles or at least six fusees or three liquid burning flares.
When approaching the vehicle for a pre-trip inspection, what should you be looking for?
Notice the general condition. Look for damage or or vehicle leaning to one side. Look under for fresh leaks. Check around the area for hazards to vehicle movement.
When beginning your vehicle inspection, what is the first document that you should review to determine previous issues with the vehicle?
You should first review the last available vehicle inspection report. The motor carrier must repair any items on the report that affects safety and certified the repairs were made or unnecessary. You must only sign the report if the facts were noted in certified to be repaired or not needed to be repaired
In order to safely perform a vehicle safety check, what should be confirmed during the vehicle inspection before opening the engine compartment?
Check that the parking brakes are on and or wheels are chocked
 When performing a vehicle safety check, how quickly should the air pressure build from 50 to 90 psi?
Vehicle air pressure should build from 50 to 90 psi within 3 minutes.
When performing a vehicle check, when should the vehicle system air pressure governor cut out?
The system air pressure governor should cut out usually around 120 to 140 psi
When performing a vehicle inspection, what should a typical Oil pressure gauge indicate at idle, and at operating speed?
Oil pressure should be approximately 5 to 20 psi at idle.
Operating oil pressure should be approximately 35 to 75 psi
- if oil pressure gauge is low, dropping or fluctuating: stop immediately
When performing a vehicle inspection wiper blades should be checked for damage or what other rubber condition?
Wiper blades should be checked for damage or “stiff” rubber and securement
What color should rear clearance lights, reflectors, and tail lights be?
Red
What color should rear turn signals be?
Red, yellow, or amber at rear
During the initial vehicle inspection, if the vehicle has hydraulic brakes, how should the hydraulic system be tested?
If the vehicle has hydraulic brakes, pump the brake pedal three times. Then apply firm pressure to the pedal and hold for five seconds. The brake pedal should not move.
During the vehicle inspection, how should the parking brake tested?
Fasten seatbelt, set parking break, place vehicle into a low a gear. Gently pull forward against parking break to make sure the parking break holds.
During vehicle inspection, how should the service brake stopping action be tested?
Accelerate to about 5 mph. Push break pedal firmly. Note any unusual pulling or break feel. 
 What are the steps of the 7 Step Vehicle Inspection Method used prior to operating a vehicle?
Vehicle overview.
Check engine compartment.
Start engine and inspect inside of cab. Turn off engine and check lights.
Do walk around inspection.
Check signal lights.
Start the engine and check.
What are the three kinds of emergency equipment that must be present on the vehicle?
Fire extinguishers.
Spare electrical fuses.
Warning devices for parked vehicles: three reflective triangles or at least six fusees or three liquid burning flares.
*fusees is a 10 minutes flare. Liquid burning flares last 20 minutes.
When backing a vehicle, to which side should you back if possible to increase your invisibility?
When possible back towards the left side to increase visibility. Back in towards the right side is dangerous because you cannot see as well.
Why should the operator downshift to a lower gear prior to starting down the hill?
The operator should shift down to a speed that you can control without using the brakes too hard and risk overheating. Make sure you were in a low enough gear, usually lower than the gear required to climb the same hill.
Under what type of conditions should the vehicle operator consider turning off the engine retarder?
When your drive wheels have poor traction, the retarder may cause them to skid. Therefore you should turn off the retarder whenever the road is wet, icy, or snow covered
How far should the vehicle operator look ahead at traffic and road conditions?
Most good drivers look ahead at least 12 to 15 seconds. That means looking ahead the distance he will travel in 12 to 15 seconds. At low speeds that’s about one block. At high speeds it’s about a quarter of a mile.
When operating a vehicle what might be one way to warn drivers behind you that you will be slowing down?
If you light taps on the brake pedal, enough to flash the brake lights, should worn following drivers
If a vehicle operator must stop on or by a one way or divided highway, how far apart should the operator place three warning devices to alert approaching traffic?
If you must stop on or buy a one way or divided highway, Place warning devices at 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet towards the approaching traffic.
If a vehicle operator must stop on a 2 Lane Rd. carrying traffic in both directions or on an undivided Highway, where should the 3 warning devices be placed?
Warning devices should be placed within 10’ of the front or rear to mark the vehicles location and then 100’ in front of and behind the vehicle.
If a vehicle operator must stop beyond any hill, curve, or other obstruction that prevents traffic from seeing the vehicle, how far back should a warning device be placed?
Within 500 feet
Vehicle operators must keep a safe space in front of them while they are driving. What is one good rule of thumb for how much space you should maintain from a vehicle in front of you?
One good rule says you need at least 1 second for each 10 foot of vehicle length at speeds below 40 mph. At greater speeds you must add 1 additional second for safety.
Ex, if operating a 50’ vehicle at 35mph, you should keep 5 seconds between vehicles.
What does a crossbuck sign at a railroad crossing indicate?
This sign marks the grade crossing. It requires you to yield the right away to the train. Vehicles that are required to stop. No closer than 15 feet or no further than 50 feet from the nearest track. The number on the crossbuck sign indicates the number of tracks.
