CDL driving covers the operational skills needed to safely maneuver commercial vehicles in real-world conditions. This goes beyond basic driving to address the unique challenges of controlling vehicles that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.
Key skills include managing space around your vehicle (front, sides, and rear), proper mirror use for the much larger blind spots on commercial vehicles, and techniques for backing, turning, and parking large vehicles. Wide right turns are a particular challenge — the trailer tracks inside the path of the tractor.
You’ll also need to understand mountain driving procedures (using engine braking, managing speed on grades), night driving with a commercial vehicle, and how to handle skids, blowouts, and other emergency situations specific to large trucks.