2018 - 2019

OREGONCommercial Driver Manual

Driver and MotorVehicle Services

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

DMV Manual-COMMERCIAL-Cover final.pdf 4 10/26/2017 9:31:01 AM

For Oregon road conditions, call 511 (toll free within Oregon) for weather conditions on the hill or 1-800-977-6368 (toll free within Oregon), or 1-503-588-2941 (outside Oregon)

Published by the Oregon Department of Transportation. Funds for this publication provided by the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program

The Siskiyou Pass, commonly called The Siskiyous, is one of the most hazardous stretches of road along Interstate 5.

Truckers BewareThe summit is at an elevation of 4,310 feet. Youll lose about 2,300 feet of elevation in six miles at a 6 percent downgrade while maneuvering your truck through sharp curves and some of the most hazardous visibility (fog) and road surface conditions in Oregon.

More than 13,000 vehicles travel this stretch of highway daily. Approximately half of the vehicles involved in accidents on this stretch of highway were commercial trucks with trailers.

Extreme Caution UrgedEscape ramps are located Northbound at Mileposts 6.3 and 9.5

When in doubt about snow and ice conditions, chain-up your truck. It is better to be over prepared than to chain-up after you jackknife.

Why Do I Have to Chain-Up Here?Chain-up areas are set up prior to inspection sites so that chains can be installed with ample shoulder space. Sometimes this needs to be done some distance from the snow line itself. Highway personnel are there to help you get over the pass safely.

Be cooperative. Work with them.

If you are not fully chained-up prior to the inspection site you will be turned around! When required, chains need to be installed prior to the inspection site. Inspection sites are at Milepost 1, Northbound and Milepost 11, Southbound.

When is it the Best Time to Go Over the Pass?Mother Nature is hard to figure. At night temperatures drop and freezing is common. Early in the morning when the sun comes up is when fresh snow is the slickest. Midday is usually the best time to travel over the pass.

Reminders For a Safe Descent Remember to check brakes before entering the downgrade.

Be aware of the safe recommended speed for your vehicle.

Posted speeds are maximums in good weather. Bad weather demands slower speeds.

Fog, snow, and black ice are common between October and April. Be prepared!

Descend the summit in the proper gear.

Oregon law requires that you carry and use tire chains when conditions warrant and/or signs posted.

Be sure you have emergency warning devices (triangles) and use them if you are stopped.

Be sure all your lights are working.

Dont drive if you are fatigued!

DOT Registration InformationMotor carriers can obtain information and services about trucking regulations and appropriate Oregon permits at the Ashland Port of Entry located at I-5 Northbound, Milepost 18.

RESPECT THE PASS!

TRUCKER WARNING

Tune radio to AM 1610 for updated

weather information and road conditions

This material is based upon work supported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under Cooperative Agreement No. DTFH61-97-X-00017. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the Author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The manual has been modified for specific use in Oregon. Although DMV tries to ensure the material is current and reflects applicable law at the time of publication, it is not a legal authority and should not be referenced in a court of law.

Graphics/Layout

Help conserve our resources! Keep this manual in your vehicle for future reference. When you finish using the manual, please recycle or return it to a local DMV field office. Thank you!

Front and back cover photos: I-84 looking west near Summit Creek by Greg Westergaard

ii

The Correct Way to Wear a Safety BeltWEAR IT LOWThe lap portion of the safety belt should be two to four inches below the waist, snug across your hip and pelvic bones NOT across your stomach.

In a crash, a belt worn too high places you at high risk of potentially fatal internal injuries.

WEAR IT SNUGThe shoulder portion should rest smoothly over your collarbone and across your chest and shoulders. Pull the belt out and let it retract to remove slack.

Safety belts will stretch slightly in a crash. If not snug before the crash, you may slide under and out or up and over the belt.

WEAR IT RIGHTIf the belt rubs against your neck, try changing the seat position or the way you sit.

Some vehicles have shoulder belt adjusters which you slide up or down to provide a correct, comfortable fit. Belt extenders may also be purchased.

Some cars feature a shoulder belt that automatically comes across your chest, but you must fasten the lap portion manually to achieve proper use and compliance with Oregon law.

Safety belts should be worn over the front of the shoulder, never behind your back or under your arm.

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

iii

Table Of Contents

Section 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Commercial Driver License Types ................................................................................................................................. 1-2 1.2 Obtaining Your Commercial Driving Privilege .............................................................................................................. 1-2 1.3 Endorsements and Restrictions ....................................................................................................................................... 1-3 1.4 Commercial Tests ............................................................................................................................................................ 1-5 1.5 Driver Disqualifications and Penalties ............................................................................................................................ 1-6 1.6 Other Commercial Motor Vehicle Rules ......................................................................................................................... 1-8

Section 2 Driving Safely .................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Vehicle Inspection ........................................................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Basic Control of Your Vehicle......................................................................................................................................... 2-6 2.3 Shifting Gears ................................................................................................................................................................. 2-7

2.4 Seeing ............................................................................................................................................................................. 2-8 2.5 Communicating ............................................................................................................................................................... 2-9 2.6 Controlling Speed ......................................................................................................................................................... 2-11 2.7 Managing Space ............................................................................................................................................................ 2-13 2.8 Seeing Hazards .............................................................................................................................................................. 2-15 2.9 Distracted Driving ......................................................................................................................................................... 2-17 2.10 Aggressive Drivers/Road Rage ................................................................................................................................... 2-18 2.11 Driving at Night .......................................................................................................................................................... 2-19 2.12 Driving in Fog ............................................................................................................................................................. 2-20 2.13 Driving in Winter ........................................................................................................................................................ 2-20 2.14 Driving in Very Hot Weather ...................................................................................................................................... 2-21 2.15 Railroad-highway Crossings ....................................................................................................................................... 2-22 2.16 Mountain Driving ........................................................................................................................................................ 2-24 2.17 Driving Emergencies................................................................................................................................................... 2-25 2.18 Antilock Braking Systems (ABS) .....................................................................................................