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DOT Driving Defensively for CDL Basics
Understand the basics of driving defensively as a commercial driver.Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 9 lessons.
Beginner Provider : KnowledgeCity 9 Lessons · 17m in English, Spanish, Urdu
Course Description
Defensive driving is important for all drivers, but especially so for drivers of larger commercial vehicles. This course will cover the basics of driving defensively for commercial drivers, such as monitoring other vehicles, avoiding distractions, and ensuring your vehicle is safe to operate. By the end of this course, you will know the basics of defensive driving and will understand how to drive safely in a variety of situations. You’ll understand how to perform a walk-around inspection of your vehicle and adapt to all weather conditions. With this knowledge you will be able to stay safe and drive defensively whenever you’re on the road.
What You'll Learn
- Understand the basics of defensive driving for commercial drivers
- Recognize potentially dangerous situations and learn how to mitigate them
- Perform a walk-around inspection of your vehicle before a trip
- Adapt your driving to a variety of weather conditions and road situations
- Apply safe practices for using headlights, negotiating curves and downgrades, and managing right-of-way, lane control, and passing
- Handle turns and intersections safely while monitoring other vehicles and avoiding distractions
Key Takeaways
- Defensive driving is important for all drivers but especially for those operating larger commercial vehicles.
- Driving defensively includes monitoring other vehicles, avoiding distractions, and ensuring your vehicle is safe to operate.
- A walk-around inspection helps confirm your vehicle is safe before hitting the road.
- Adapting to all weather conditions is part of driving safely in a variety of situations.
- The course covers the mental side of driving defensively along with practical skills like using headlights and negotiating curves and downgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
It is designed for commercial drivers, including those operating larger commercial vehicles, covering defensive driving basics relevant to a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), CDL Class A, and CDL Class B.
What will this course cover?
It covers the basics of defensive driving for commercial drivers, such as monitoring other vehicles, avoiding distractions, ensuring your vehicle is safe to operate, performing a walk-around inspection, and adapting to all weather conditions.
What skills will I gain?
You will gain skills in defensive driving, commercial driving, and truck driving relevant to a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), including CDL Class A and CDL Class B.
What topics are included in the lessons?
Lessons include the mental side of driving defensively, preparing for your trip, using your headlights, negotiating curves and downgrades, right-of-way, lane control, and passing, and turns and intersections.
What will I be able to do by the end of the course?
By the end, you will know the basics of defensive driving, understand how to drive safely in a variety of situations, perform a walk-around inspection of your vehicle, and adapt to all weather conditions so you can stay safe and drive defensively on the road.
