Defensive Driving (Heavy Vehicle) Training Course

1. Heavy-Duty Vehicle Operations and Commercial Driving Fundamentals

1.1 Commercial Vehicle Classification and Regulations

• Vehicle classifications including (Class 6, Class 7, Class 8, and specialized equipment)

• DOT FMCSA regulations including (commercial vehicle standards, driver qualifications, and operational requirements)

• CDL requirements including (license classifications, endorsements, and testing procedures)

• OSHA 29 CFR 1926.601 compliance including (motor vehicle safety, equipment standards, and operator requirements)

1.2 Professional Driving Standards and Responsibilities

• Professional driver qualifications including (medical certification, training requirements, and competency standards)

• NSC professional driving including (advanced techniques, situational awareness, and decision-making)

• Driver responsibilities including (public safety, cargo protection, and regulatory compliance)

• Industry standards including (fleet policies, company procedures, and safety expectations)

2. Advanced Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Management

2.1 Comprehensive Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Inspections

• DOT FMCSA inspection requirements including (daily inspections, defect reporting, and documentation standards)

• Systematic inspection including (engine compartment, brake systems, and electrical components)

• Safety equipment including (warning devices, fire extinguishers, and emergency equipment)

• Documentation procedures including (inspection reports, defect recording, and maintenance coordination)

2.2 Preventive Maintenance and System Monitoring

• Maintenance awareness including (scheduled service, component monitoring, and performance indicators)

• OSHA equipment maintenance including (safety systems, protective devices, and operational reliability)

• System diagnostics including (warning systems, gauge monitoring, and trouble indicators)

• Maintenance coordination including (service scheduling, repair coordination, and equipment availability)

3. Load Management and Cargo Securement

3.1 Weight Distribution and Load Planning

• DOT weight limits including (gross vehicle weight, axle weights, and bridge formulas)

• Load distribution including (weight placement, balance considerations, and stability factors)

• Loading procedures including (cargo arrangement, weight verification, and documentation)

• OSHA load handling including (lifting techniques, equipment operation, and injury prevention)

3.2 Cargo Securement and Transportation Safety

• FMCSA securement standards including (tie-down requirements, working load limits, and inspection procedures)

• Securement devices including (chains, straps, binders, and blocking materials)

• Specialized cargo including (hazardous materials, oversized loads, and fragile items)

• CDL endorsements including (hazmat, passenger, and specialized cargo requirements)

4. Advanced Defensive Driving and Hazard Management

4.1 Commercial Vehicle Defensive Driving Techniques

• NSC advanced techniques including (space management, speed control, and communication strategies)

• Heavy vehicle dynamics including (stopping distances, turning radius, and stability factors)

• Visibility management including (blind spot awareness, mirror usage, and positioning strategies)

• DOT safety requirements including (following distances, lane usage, and traffic integration)

4.2 Hazard Recognition and Risk Assessment

• Traffic hazards including (aggressive drivers, impaired operators, and emergency vehicles)

• Environmental hazards including (weather conditions, road construction, and visibility limitations)

• FMCSA hazard awareness including (commercial vehicle interactions, infrastructure limitations, and operational risks)

• Emergency recognition including (mechanical failures, cargo shifts, and accident situations)

5. Hours of Service and Fatigue Management

5.1 DOT Hours of Service Regulations

• FMCSA HOS rules including (driving limits, on-duty time, and rest requirements)

• Electronic logging devices including (ELD compliance, data management, and record keeping)

• CDL HOS compliance including (logbook requirements, violation consequences, and enforcement)

• Duty status including (driving time, on-duty not driving, and sleeper berth provisions)

5.2 Fatigue Management and Driver Wellness

• Fatigue recognition including (warning signs, risk factors, and prevention strategies)

• NSC fatigue management including (sleep hygiene, rest optimization, and alertness maintenance)

• Health and wellness including (physical fitness, nutrition, and stress management)

• DOT medical requirements including (medical certification, health monitoring, and fitness standards)

6. Specialized Operations and Equipment Management

6.1 Construction and Off-Road Operations

• OSHA 29 CFR 1926.601 construction vehicle requirements including (rollover protection, backup alarms, and operator training)

• Off-road driving including (terrain assessment, traction management, and stability considerations)

• Construction site safety including (traffic control, pedestrian awareness, and equipment coordination)

• Specialized equipment including (dump trucks, concrete mixers, and utility vehicles)

6.2 Hazardous Materials Transportation

• DOT hazmat regulations including (classification, packaging, and transportation requirements)

• CDL hazmat endorsement including (knowledge requirements, background checks, and renewal procedures)

• Placarding and marking including (identification systems, documentation, and emergency information)

• Emergency response including (spill procedures, evacuation protocols, and agency notification)

7. Weather and Environmental Driving Conditions

7.1 Adverse Weather Operations

• Weather assessment including (condition evaluation, operational decisions, and route planning)

• FMCSA weather policies including (shutdown criteria, chain requirements, and operational limits)

• Winter driving including (ice, snow, chain installation, and traction management)

• Extreme conditions including (high winds, flooding, and visibility reduction)

7.2 Terrain and Route Management

• Mountain driving including (grade management, brake management, and descent control)

• DOT route restrictions including (weight limits, height restrictions, and hazmat routing)

• Urban operations including (traffic density, parking limitations, and delivery constraints)

• Route planning including (navigation systems, traffic patterns, and efficiency optimization)

8. Fleet Safety Management and Risk Control

8.1 Safety Management Systems

• FMCSA safety management including (safety policies, driver qualification, and performance monitoring)

• Fleet safety programs including (driver training, performance evaluation, and incentive systems)

• OSHA fleet safety including (accident prevention, injury reduction, and regulatory compliance)

• Risk management including (exposure assessment, control measures, and loss prevention)

8.2 Performance Monitoring and Improvement

• Driver performance including (safety records, violation tracking, and competency assessment)

• DOT compliance monitoring including (inspection results, violation management, and corrective actions)

• Technology integration including (telematics, dash cameras, and performance analytics)

• Continuous improvement including (training updates, policy revisions, and best practice adoption)

9. Emergency Response and Incident Management

9.1 Emergency Procedures and Protocols

• Breakdown procedures including (vehicle securing, hazard communication, and service coordination)

• FMCSA emergency response including (accident procedures, reporting requirements, and scene management)

• Medical emergencies including (first aid response, emergency services, and incident coordination)

• CDL emergency requirements including (hazmat incidents, passenger emergencies, and evacuation procedures)

9.2 Accident Investigation and Documentation

• Accident response including (scene safety, injury assessment, and emergency coordination)

• DOT reporting requirements including (accident criteria, documentation standards, and agency notification)

• Evidence collection including (information gathering, witness coordination, and documentation procedures)

• Insurance coordination including (claim procedures, investigation support, and recovery management)

10. Regulatory Compliance and Legal Requirements

10.1 Federal and State Regulations

• FMCSA compliance including (regulations overview, enforcement procedures, and penalty structures)

• CDL maintenance including (renewal requirements, medical certification, and record keeping)

• State regulations including (permits, restrictions, and local requirements)

• OSHA workplace safety including (employer obligations, worker rights, and compliance standards)

10.2 Enforcement and Violation Management

• DOT enforcement including (roadside inspections, safety audits, and compliance reviews)

• Violation consequences including (fines, license impacts, and career implications)

• CSA scores including (safety measurement system, intervention thresholds, and improvement strategies)

• Legal considerations including (liability issues, insurance requirements, and legal compliance)

11. Technology Integration and Modern Fleet Operations

11.1 Transportation Technology Systems

• Electronic systems including (ELDs, GPS navigation, and communication devices)

• FMCSA technology requirements including (ELD mandates, data management, and compliance verification)

• Fleet management systems including (dispatching, routing, and performance monitoring)

• Safety technology including (collision avoidance, lane departure, and fatigue monitoring)

11.2 Data Management and Performance Analytics

• Performance metrics including (fuel efficiency, safety scores, and productivity measures)

• DOT data requirements including (HOS records, inspection data, and violation tracking)

• Technology troubleshooting including (system malfunctions, data recovery, and technical support)

• Future trends including (autonomous systems, connectivity, and industry evolution)

12. Professional Development and Career Management

12.1 Career Advancement and Specialization

• Professional pathways including (specialized endorsements, advanced certifications, and leadership roles)

• CDL career development including (endorsement acquisition, skill enhancement, and opportunity identification)

• Industry networking including (professional associations, continuing education, and mentorship)

• NSC professional development including (advanced training, instructor certification, and safety leadership)

12.2 Industry Standards and Best Practices

• Excellence standards including (safety leadership, operational efficiency, and professional conduct)

• FMCSA best practices including (safety culture, continuous improvement, and regulatory excellence)

• Industry recognition including (safety awards, performance recognition, and professional achievement)

• Sustainability including (environmental responsibility, efficiency optimization, and future readiness)