Transporting cargo
Questions and answers
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A warehouse crew loaded and secured your trailer. Who is responsible for inspecting the cargo?
You, the driver
Whether or not you load and secure the cargo yourself, you are responsible for inspecting it.
Section 3 · TRANSPORTING CARGO SAFELY ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which of these is part of your responsibility for cargo?
Recognizing overloads and poorly balanced weight
Drivers must inspect cargo, spot overloads and poor balance, and know the load is secure.
Section 3 · TRANSPORTING CARGO SAFELY ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Your cargo must not block your view in which directions?
Ahead or to the sides
You must know the cargo is secured and does not obscure your view ahead or to the sides.
Section 3 · TRANSPORTING CARGO SAFELY ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Cargo must be loaded so it does not restrict your access to what?
Emergency equipment
Part of your responsibility is knowing the cargo does not block your emergency equipment.
Section 3 · TRANSPORTING CARGO SAFELY ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How can loose cargo endanger the driver?
It could hurt or kill you during a quick stop or crash
Loose cargo can strike the driver in a quick stop or crash, and falling cargo can hurt others on the road.
Section 3 · TRANSPORTING CARGO SAFELY ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How can the way a vehicle is loaded affect your driving?
It can affect steering and make the vehicle harder to control
Loading affects steering and control, and an overload can damage the vehicle.
Section 3 · TRANSPORTING CARGO SAFELY ↗PDF, 41 MB -
You will carry hazardous materials that require placards. What else do you need?
A hazardous materials endorsement
Placarded hazardous materials require the hazardous materials endorsement on your CDL.
Section 3 · TRANSPORTING CARGO SAFELY ↗PDF, 41 MB -
After starting a trip, within how many miles must you inspect the cargo and its securing devices again?
50 miles
Re-inspect the cargo and securing devices within the first 50 miles and make any adjustments needed.
Section 3 · 3.1 – Inspecting Cargo ↗PDF, 41 MB -
During a trip, how often must you re-check your cargo by time or distance?
After every 3 hours or 150 miles
Inspect again after you have driven for 3 hours or 150 miles.
Section 3 · 3.1 – Inspecting Cargo ↗PDF, 41 MB -
You take a short break 40 minutes after your last cargo check. Must you check the cargo again?
Yes, after every break
The cargo must also be inspected after every break you take during driving.
Section 3 · 3.1 – Inspecting Cargo ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Rules for weight, securing cargo, covering loads and where large vehicles may go are the same everywhere. Is this true?
No, they vary from place to place
Federal, state and local rules vary, so know the rules where you will be driving.
Section 3 · 3.1 – Inspecting Cargo ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)?
The loaded weight of a single vehicle as specified by the manufacturer
GVWR is the manufacturer’s value for the loaded weight of a single vehicle.
Section 3 · 3.2.1 – Definitions You Should Know ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What is axle weight?
The weight transmitted to the ground by one axle or set of axles
Axle weight is what one axle or one set of axles puts on the ground.
Section 3 · 3.2.1 – Definitions You Should Know ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Where is a tire’s load rating stated?
On the side of each tire
Tire load is the maximum safe weight at a given pressure, and it is printed on the side of each tire.
Section 3 · 3.2.1 – Definitions You Should Know ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What is tire load?
The maximum safe weight a tire can carry at a specified pressure
Tire load is the most weight a tire can safely carry at a stated inflation pressure.
Section 3 · 3.2.1 – Definitions You Should Know ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What is a coupling device rated for?
The maximum weight it can pull and/or carry
Coupling devices have a rating for the most weight they can pull or carry.
Section 3 · 3.2.1 – Definitions You Should Know ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What has a manufacturer’s weight capacity rating besides tires and couplings?
Suspension systems
Suspension systems also carry a manufacturer’s weight capacity rating.
Section 3 · 3.2.1 – Definitions You Should Know ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Under a bridge formula, how does the spacing of axles affect the maximum axle weight?
Axles closer together are allowed less weight
A bridge formula permits less maximum axle weight for axles that are closer together.
Section 3 · 3.2.2 – Legal Weight Limits ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why do bridge formulas limit axle weights?
To prevent overloading bridges and roadways
The bridge formula exists to keep bridges and roads from being overloaded.
Section 3 · 3.2.2 – Legal Weight Limits ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How does overloading affect a truck on upgrades?
It must go very slowly
Overloaded trucks have to go very slowly on upgrades.
Section 3 · 3.2.2 – Legal Weight Limits ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What danger does an overloaded truck face on downgrades?
It may gain too much speed
Worse than slow climbs, an overloaded truck may build up too much speed going down.
Section 3 · 3.2.2 – Legal Weight Limits ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What can happen to the brakes of an overloaded vehicle?
They can fail when forced to work too hard
Overloading increases stopping distance, and brakes can fail when forced to work too hard.
Section 3 · 3.2.2 – Legal Weight Limits ↗PDF, 41 MB -
When may it not be safe to operate at the legal maximum weight?
In bad weather or in mountains
In bad weather or mountains, legal maximum weights may still be unsafe. Plan for it before driving.
Section 3 · 3.2.2 – Legal Weight Limits ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What does a high center of gravity mean for your vehicle?
You are more likely to tip over
Cargo piled high or heavy cargo on top raises the center of gravity and makes tipping over more likely.
Section 3 · 3.2.3 – Don't Be Top-heavy ↗PDF, 41 MB -
When is a high center of gravity most dangerous?
In curves or when swerving to avoid a hazard
A top-heavy load is most dangerous in curves or in a sudden swerve.
Section 3 · 3.2.3 – Don't Be Top-heavy ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How should cargo be arranged to keep the center of gravity low?
Put the heaviest parts under the lightest parts
Distribute cargo as low as possible, with the heaviest parts under the lightest.
Section 3 · 3.2.3 – Don't Be Top-heavy ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What can too much weight on the steering axle cause?
Hard steering
Too much weight on the steering axle makes steering hard and can damage the axle and tires.
Section 3 · 3.2.4 – Balance the Weight ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Weight is shifted too far to the rear. What is the danger?
The steering axle may be too light to steer safely
An under-loaded front axle can be too light for safe steering.
Section 3 · 3.2.4 – Balance the Weight ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What can too little weight on the driving axles cause?
Poor traction and spinning drive wheels
Too little weight on the drive axles causes poor traction, and in bad weather the truck may not keep going.
Section 3 · 3.2.4 – Balance the Weight ↗PDF, 41 MB -
On a flatbed, what extra risk comes with a high center of gravity?
The load may shift to the side or fall off
High loads raise rollover risk, and on flatbeds the load is also more likely to shift or fall.
Section 3 · 3.2.4 – Balance the Weight ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What is blocking used for?
To keep cargo from sliding, fitted snugly against it
Blocking goes at the front, back or sides of cargo, shaped to fit snugly and secured to the deck.
Section 3 · 3.3.1 – Blocking and Bracing ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Where does bracing go?
From the upper part of the cargo to the floor or walls
Bracing runs from the upper part of the cargo to the floor and/or walls of the cargo compartment.
Section 3 · 3.3.1 – Blocking and Bracing ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why might tie-downs be used inside a closed van?
To prevent cargo shifting that may affect handling
Even in closed vans, tie-downs keep cargo from shifting in ways that affect vehicle handling.
Section 3 · 3.3.2 – Cargo Tie-down ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Federal rules say the aggregate working load limit of a securement system must be at least what?
One-half the weight of the cargo secured
The combined working load limit of the tie-downs must be at least one-half the weight of the article or group of articles.
Section 3 · 3.3.2 – Cargo Tie-down ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which of these is tie-down tensioning equipment?
Winches and ratchets
Proper tie-down equipment includes ropes, straps, chains and tensioning devices such as winches and ratchets.
Section 3 · 3.3.2 – Cargo Tie-down ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How many tie-downs should cargo have for its length?
At least one for each ten feet
Cargo should have at least one tie-down for each ten feet of cargo.
Section 3 · 3.3.2 – Cargo Tie-down ↗PDF, 41 MB -
A small crate is only four feet long. How many tie-downs should it have at minimum?
Two
No matter how small the cargo, it should have at least two tie-downs.
Section 3 · 3.3.2 – Cargo Tie-down ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What do front-end header boards (headache racks) do?
Protect you from your cargo in a crash or emergency stop
Header boards block forward movement of cargo and protect the driver in a crash or emergency stop.
Section 3 · 3.3.3 – Header Boards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Covering cargo to protect people from spills is what in many states?
A safety requirement
Spill protection is required in many states, so know the laws where you drive.
Section 3 · 3.3.4 – Covering Cargo ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why should you check your cargo covers in the mirrors while driving?
A flapping cover can tear loose and block someone’s view
A flapping cover can tear loose, uncover the cargo and block your view or another driver’s.
Section 3 · 3.3.4 – Covering Cargo ↗PDF, 41 MB -
When are containerized loads generally used?
When freight is carried part way by rail or ship
Containers move part of the way by rail or ship, with trucks at the start or end.
Section 3 · 3.3.5 – Sealed and Containerized Loads ↗PDF, 41 MB -
A container is loaded onto a flatbed trailer. How must it be secured?
Like any other cargo
Containers on flatbeds must be properly secured just like any other cargo.
Section 3 · 3.3.5 – Sealed and Containerized Loads ↗PDF, 41 MB -
You cannot open a sealed load. What should you still check?
That you do not exceed gross weight and axle weight limits
Sealed loads cannot be inspected, but you are still responsible for gross and axle weight limits.
Section 3 · 3.3.5 – Sealed and Containerized Loads ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why do dry bulk tanks require special care?
They have a high center of gravity and the load can shift
Dry bulk tanks are top-heavy with shifting loads, so be slow and careful on curves and sharp turns.
Section 3 · 3.4.1 – Dry Bulk ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Where is particular caution needed with hanging meat in a refrigerated truck?
On sharp curves such as on ramps and off ramps
Hanging meat is an unstable, top-heavy load, so go slowly on ramps and other sharp curves.
Section 3 · 3.4.2 – Hanging Meat ↗PDF, 41 MB -
You haul less than a full load of livestock. What should you use?
False bulkheads to keep the animals bunched together
With a partial load, false bulkheads keep livestock bunched so they move around less.
Section 3 · 3.4.3 – Livestock ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why is livestock dangerous on curves even when bunched together?
Animals can lean, shifting the center of gravity and raising rollover risk
Livestock lean on curves, which shifts the center of gravity and makes rollover more likely.
Section 3 · 3.4.3 – Livestock ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What do over-length, over-width and overweight loads require?
Special transit permits
Oversized loads need special transit permits, and driving is usually limited to certain times.
Section 3 · 3.4.4 – Oversized Loads ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What escort may an oversized load require?
A police escort or pilot vehicles with warning signs
Oversized loads may need police escorts or pilot vehicles with warning signs or flashing lights.
Section 3 · 3.4.4 – Oversized Loads ↗PDF, 41 MB
Questions and answers by topic
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