DOT Entry Level Driver Training - Basic CMV Operation: Basic Control

0.43 hr. Online Course

Level: Fundamental

Item#: JCOM-40069

SME: Bob Jonas

Request a Demo

Drivers of combination vehicles – tractor units coupled to one or more trailers – must maintain control of their vehicle at all times in order to arrive safely at their destination day in and day out. This means they must be knowledgeable about driving preparations, starting their vehicle, steering, shifting, double clutching (for manual transmissions), slowing, stopping, and backing. This also includes being able to adapt to and handle challenging conditions, including starting on an incline, tight turns, busy interstates and controlled-access highways, steep downgrades, slippery roads, and restricted areas. Learning the proper techniques is the first step. The only way to master these skills, however, is to practice, practice, and then practice some more.

Objectives SME

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Explain how to start, accelerate, steer, shift, slow, stop, and back a combination vehicle safely
Describe how to safely execute sharp left and right turns
Explain how to keep your vehicle centered in its lane and maneuver in restricted areas
Describe how to safely enter and exit an interstate or controlled-access highway

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: Bob Jonas

Bob Jonas began his trucking adventure in 1973, at the age of twenty-three, driving for a new company that manufactured windows. First employed to drive 20-foot straight trucks, over the next 15 years he logged over a million miles in 11 western states. Starting with 40-foot dry vans, increasing in size to 53 feet, he also pulled doubles, occasionally triples, flatbeds, and reefers (refrigerated trailers). In addition to delivering windows, he was required to back haul everything from raw glass, cereal, oyster shells, potato flakes, paper, Christmas trees, and swinging horse meat. He was also given the responsibility of testing new hires.

After leaving the company he had worked for so long, Jonas’s life headed in another direction, where he was still able to use his driving skills for part time work. In the next few years, he worked the Christmas rush for UPS, hostling, driving doubles and triples. He also worked for another company delivering 5,000 lbs. spools of newsprint, as well as container pick and delivery to the docks and rail yards. His final miles were logged part time for another window manufacturer. Never knowing what road he would travel next, Bob didn’t give up his CDL until 2014.