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Section 3 - Advanced Operating Practices

Section MenuSection 1 | Section 2 | Section 3 | Section 4 | Section 5

This section covers the higher-level skills needed to cope with the hazards of the roadway- traffic environment. Its purpose is to develop perceptual skills needed to recognize the potential hazard as well as the manipulative skills needed to handle the vehicle in an emergency.

Advanced Operating Practices

Purpose: To enable students to acquire the advanced skills needed to handle hazards and emergencies

Unit 3.1 Hazard Perception
Classroom instruction and exercises in recognizing hazards early enough to prevent them from becoming emergencies.
On-street driving sessions involving application of hazard recognition principles
Lesson 1 - Recognizing Hazards (Classroom)
Lesson 2 - Application of Hazard Recognition (Street)


Unit 3.2 Emergency Maneuvers
Classroom discussion of emergency braking techniques, evasive actions and responses to other emergencies. Emergency stopping and evasive actions practiced on range.
Lesson 1 - Emergency Procedures (Classroom)
Lesson 2 - Emergency Skills (Range)


Unit 3.3 Skid Control and Recovery
Classroom instruction on causes of skidding and jackknifing and techniques for avoiding and recovering from skids, jackknifes
Lesson 1 - Techniques of Skid Control and Recovery (Classroom)
Lesson 2 - Skid Control and Recovery Exercises (Range)*

* indicates an optional lesson.
  • Weeks 1 - 3
  • Weeks 4 - 6

CDL Classroom Pictures

  • 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

CDL Classroom Pictures

  • 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

First Seat Driver Program

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.