CDL - Commercial Driver's License Program : Module 7

The student will demonstrate basic vehicle control procedures by:

• Placing the transmission in neutral before starting the engine.
• Starting, warming up, and shutting down the engine, according to the manufacturer's specifications.
• Building full pressure (90-120 PSI) in air tanks or to governed cut-out.
• Testing parking brake and service brake before moving/driving the vehicle.
• Coordinating the use of accelerator and clutch to achieve smooth acceleration and avoid clutch abuse (if applicable).
• Maintaining proper engine RPM while driving (if applicable).
• Properly modulating air brakes to bring the vehicle to a smooth stop.
• Properly shifting up and down through all gears using a clutch (if applicable).
• Double clutching non-synchronized transmissions and time shifting for smooth and fuel-efficient performance (if applicable).
• Selecting proper gear for speed and highway conditions (if applicable).
• Operating manual, automatic or semiautomatic transmissions, as available training equipment allows.
• Coordinating steering, braking, and acceleration to take the vehicle through a desired path forward and backward in a straight line.
• Adequately judging the path trailer will take (off tracking) as the vehicle negotiates left or right curves and turns.
• Using clutch and gears to maintain proper operating range/power/RPM of the motor while slowing the vehicle (if applicable).
• Parking the vehicle, setting brakes, and shutting off the engine.
• Discussing choking procedures.