Section 2 - Safe Operating Practices
This section covers the interaction between the student/vehicle combination and the highway traffic environment. It is intended to teach students to apply their basic operating skills in a way that ensures their own safety and that of other road users.
Section 2--Safe Operating Practices
Purpose: To allow students to learn and practice safe operation - techniques in highway traffic
Unit 2.1 Visual Search
Classroom instruction on the principles of visual search Range instruction on the use of mirrors. On-street practice in use of visual search techniques.
Lesson 1 - Visual Search Principles (Classroom)
Lesson 2 - Use of Mirrors (Lab)
Lesson 3 - Application of Visual Search (Street)
Unit 2.2 Communication
Classroom instruction on communication, e.g., signaling, use of horn, etc. On-street practice in communication techniques in variety of settings
Lesson 1 - Principles of Communication (Classroom)
Lesson 2 - Application of Communication (Street)
Unit 2.3 Speed Management
Classroom instruction on speed management principles, (e.g., maintaining safe speed in variety of situations, operating on hills, curves, etc.).
Lesson 1 - Speed Management Principles (Classroom)
Lesson 2 - Speed Management Demonstration (Range)
Unit 2.4 Space Management
Classroom instruction on principles of managing space in traffic (e.g., following distances, space to the sides and rear, passing, etc.) On-street driving practice in space management techniques
Lesson 1 - Space Management Principles (Classroom)
Lesson 2 - Application of Space Management (Street)
Unit 2.5 Night Operation
Classroom instruction on inspection at night, preparation for night operation, hazards of night driving, and actual operations at night. Range practice inspecting vehicle at night On-street lessons requiring application of night driving principles
Lesson 1 - Night Operation (Classroom)
Lesson 2 - Night Operation: Basic Maneuvers (Range)
Lesson 3 - Night Operation: On-street (Street)
Unit 2.6 Extreme Driving Conditions
Classroom instruction on driving in cold and hot weather, stormy conditions, mountainous terrains. Practice in putting on chains and towing a stuck vehicle.
Lesson 1 - Operation During Extreme Driving Conditions (Classroom)
Lesson 2 - Techniques Used During Extreme Conditions (Range)
Unit 2.7 Proficiency Development: Safe Operating Procedures
All safe driving practices from units 2.1 through 2.5 (and unit 2.6 if applicable) practiced as students develop proficiency
Lesson 1 - Procedures for Safe Operation (Classroom)
Lesson 2 - Practice in Safe Operation (Street)
- Weeks 1 - 3
- Weeks 4 - 6

- Orientation
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes
- Tankers
- Hazmat
- Doubles / Triples / Passenger
- Hours of Service, Log Books, Trip Planning, & Map Reading
- Border Crossing
- TWIC - Transportation Worker Identification Credential
- Anti-Terror Training
- Hands On Pre-Trip Inspection
- Hands On Coupling & Uncoupling
- Hands On Air Brake Checks
- How to Apply Tire Chains
- Driving Safely in Inclement Weather

- Pre-Trip Inspections
- Hands on Coupling and Uncoupling (Drop & Hook)
- Air Brake Leak Down Procedures
- Parallel Parking
- Straight Line Backing
- 45 & 90 Degree Alley Dock Parking
- Offset Parking
- Proper Turning Techniques
- Shifting, Downshifting, & Double Clutching
- Rural, City, & Highway Driving
- Proper Lane Control Techniques
- Proper Mirror Scanning Techniques
- Downhill Procedures
- Mountain Driving
- Night Driving
- Final Preparations For CDL Testing
- Onsite CDL 3rd Party Testing Facility
Curriculum: Courses are divided into five sections, each of which can be taken individually, or combined to fit your needs. The five sections are:
Training Highlights
Length of time can be customized just for you
Low Teacher to Student Ratio
Generally, classes are 6 Weeks / 240 Hours
Weeks 1-3: Classroom & Hands on Training
Weeks 4-6: Skills & Road Training
Train on 2008 Freightliner Super Crew Cabs
M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Night Classes are available M-Th 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
1-On-1 Customized Training is available and is scheduled at your convenience.
1st Seat Driver
We also offer a program geared toward giving a new driver enough proficiency that he or she can drive solo right out of school, and have a solid expectation of entry level employment (16 weeks and 620 clock hours). Students cover not only Sections 1 through 5, but also: Lab Lessons, Classroom Lessons, Range Lessons, Street Lessons & Applied Lessons.
When filling out your pre-application, be sure to let us know if you're interested in this program.
