Driving Defensively For CDL/Large Vehicle Drivers: The Basics

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) there were 2,029,900 heavy-duty truck and tractor-trailer drivers in the US in 2019. These drivers must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The BLS is forecasting an increase in 30,600 jobs through 2029 with a 2% growth rate. That’s a lot of people around the country driving large and heavy vehicles on the roads. This course teaches the fundamentals of defensive driving for large vehicle drivers.

As SafeMotorist puts it, defensive driving is essentially driving in a manner that utilizes safe driving strategies to enable motorists to address identified hazards in a predictable manner. These strategies go well beyond instruction on basic traffic laws and procedures. This course introduces you to defensive driving, and covers the mental aspects of defensive driving, preparing for your trip, use of headlights, negotiating curbs and downgrades, turns and intersections, and other techniques of benefit.

Utilize this course among your drivers to facilitate an understanding of safe and effective defensive driving.

   This course is in the Video On Demand format, to read about Video On Demand features click here.

The course is specifically intended CDL drivers or for those who are responsible for the safe and effective operation of large vehicles.

• Introduction
• The Mental Side Of Driving Defensively
• Preparing For Your Trip
• Hitting The Road
• Using Your Headlights
• Negotiating Curves And Downgrades
• Right-of-Way, Lane Control And Passing
• Turns And Intersections
• Conclusion

• Personal Safety For CMV Drivers
• Fatigue And Its Effects For CMV Drivers
• Preventing And Managing Fatigue For CMV Drivers