Essential Trucking Rules
Maintain Safe Following Distances: Fully loaded commercial trucks can take up to the length of two football fields to come to a complete stop. Always keep a 7-to-8 second buffer between you and the vehicle ahead.

Watch the No Zones (Blind Spots) Large trucks have massive blind spots directly behind the trailer, right next to the cab, and directly in front of the hood. If you can't see the driver's mirrors, they can't see you.

Manage Your Hours of Service (HOS): To prevent driver fatigue, commercial drivers must strictly adhere to legal driving limits (e.g., maximum daily driving hours and mandatory rest breaks before getting back behind the wheel).

Take Turns Wide and Slow: Given the length of a trailer, right-hand turns require buttonhooking swinging out slightly into the intersection before turning to avoid clipping curbs, signs, or pedestrians.

Standard Highway Driving Rules
The Three-Second Rule: For standard passenger vehicles, always maintain at least a 3-second gap behind the car in front of you. Double this time during rain, snow, or icy conditions.

Keep Right Except to Pass: The left lane is strictly for overtaking slower vehicles. Cruising in the passing lane disrupts traffic flow and triggers aggressive driving behaviors from others.

Signal Early and Clearly: Always activate your turn signal at least 30 meters (100 feet) before making a turn or changing lanes to give drivers behind you adequate time to react.

Check Mirrors Frequently: Scan your rearview and side mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds so you always have a 360-degree mental map of the traffic surrounding your vehicle.