Commercial Driver Handbook ( PDF ) - California Department of ...

SectIOn 1: IntRODuctIOn ........................... 1
This section is for all commercial drivers
Who Needs a CDL? ......................................... 1
CDL Exceptions ............................................... 2
How to Get a CDL ........................................... 3
General ............................................................ 7
Violation Point Counts ..................................... 9
State Laws and Rules .....................................10
Other Rules ....................................................17
SectIOn 2: DRIVIng SAFely ....................... 23
This section is for all commercial drivers
CDL Rules ..................................................... 23
Vehicle Inspections ........................................ 23
Basic Vehicle Control .................................... 30
Shifting Gears ................................................ 31
Seeing ........................................................... 32
Communicating .............................................. 34
Controlling Speed .......................................... 35
Managing Space............................................ 38
Driving at Night .............................................. 41
Driving in Fog ................................................ 43
Driving in Winter ............................................ 43
Driving in Very Hot Weather .......................... 44
Mountain Driving ........................................... 45
Railroad Crossings ........................................ 46
Seeing Hazards ............................................. 47
Emergencies .................................................. 51
Skid Control/Recovery ................................... 55
Collision Procedures ...................................... 56
Fires ............................................................... 57
Staying Alert and Fit to Drive ......................... 58
Illness ............................................................ 61
HazMat Rules for All Commercial Drivers ...... 61
SectIOn 3: tRAnSPORtIng cARgO .......... 63
This section is for all commercial drivers
Inspecting Cargo ........................................... 63
Cargo Weight and Balance ............................ 63
Securing Cargo .............................................. 64
Handling Other Cargo .................................... 65
tABle OF cOntentS
SectIOn 4: tRAnSPORtIng
PASSengeRS SAFely .................................. 67
This section is for all drivers who transport
passengers
Vehicle Inspections ........................................ 67
Loading and Unloading.................................. 69
Driving Techniques ........................................ 70
Passenger Management ............................... 72
Miscellaneous Requirements ........................ 72
SectIOn 5: AIR BRAkeS .............................. 73
This section is for drivers who drive or tow
vehicles with air brakes
The Air Brake System .................................... 73
Dual Air Brake Systems ................................. 77
Combination Vehicle Air Brakes ..................... 78
Inspecting the Air Brake System .................... 80
Using Air Brakes ............................................ 84
SectIOn 6: cOmBInAtIOn VehIcleS ........ 87
This section is for drivers who need a
Class A CDL
Driving Combination Vehicles Safely ............. 87
Combination Vehicle Air Brakes ..................... 90
Antilock Brake Systems ................................. 93
Coupling and Uncoupling .............................. 94
Inspecting a Combination Vehicle .................. 97
SectIOn 7: DOuBleS AnD tRIPleS .......... 99
This section is for drivers who tow doubles
or triples
Towing Double/Triple Trailers ......................... 99
Coupling and Uncoupling .............................100
Inspecting Doubles and Triples .....................102
Doubles/Triples Air Brake Check ..................103