In this guide we’re going to go through some of the most important signs on the road that you have to pay attention to as a commercial driver. If you’re currently driving a standard car, these signs are probably things you do not even notice.
By the end of this guide, you’ll fully understand all the critical road signs you have to be aware of and how they affect your career. Let us start off with the signs that are going to cost you the most money if you ignore them.
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Signs That Prevent Expensive Fines and Accidents
No Truck or Bus Route Signs
One of the first signs you must learn to spot is the no truck or bus route sign. When you see this sign, it means that specific street is not designated for vehicles that weigh more than 26,000 pounds. If you get caught driving on that street, you will face a major fine. We are talking about thousands of dollars simply because you did not follow this rule. The only exception is if you are making a designated local delivery in that specific area.
Bridge Clearance and Overhead Signs
The next sign to watch out for is the yellow bridge overhead clearance sign. On every bridge, you will find a yellow sign displaying numbers that indicate exactly how tall that bridge is. If there is no sign, it generally means the clearance is more than fifteen feet.
Depending on the size of your tractor and trailer, it is crucial that you understand your vehicle height before you go underneath any overpass. A lot of first time drivers make this mistake once, and it can end their career. If you ignore the clearance, you might end up driving a convertible tractor trailer by the time you leave the bridge. Make sure you pay attention before you go under any overpass.
Weight Limit Restrictions
Another sign that can cost you thousands of dollars if ignored is the weight limit sign. You will see these on certain bridges or in residential areas that are simply not designed to carry heavy commercial weight. If you see these signs and your vehicle is over the posted weight limit, you are not allowed to drive on that road.
Signs That Keep You and Others Safe
Grade Signs for Steep Hills
You will often see a yellow sign showing a truck going up or down a slant. These are grade signs that indicate the percentage of the hill you are about to climb or descend. If a hill has a grade of six percent or more, you will see one of these warnings.
Going up a steep hill requires you to be in the right gear. You want to make sure you downshift because a lower gear gives you less speed but more engine power to make the climb. When you are going down a hill, the rule of thumb is to be one gear lower than the gear it took you to climb up. This helps you utilize engine braking.
If you do not choose the proper gear before going down a hill, you will end up hitting your foot brakes constantly. Using your brakes to stop 80,000 pounds on a steep decline will cause your brake pads to heat up rapidly, and you can completely lose your brakes.
Brake Check Areas
You might see a blue sign indicating a brake check area. This sign gives you the designated space to pull over and inspect your brakes before a steep grade. When you pull into a brake check area, you should perform a full air brake check and visually verify your brake pads have good thickness. Using these areas ensures you are safe to operate the vehicle before taking on a challenging road.
Curve Warnings and Speed Advisories
Yellow curve signs are a truck driver best friend. Unlike a car that sits low to the ground, commercial trucks have a very high center of gravity. If you take a curve too fast, it is very easy to flip the entire vehicle over. Pay close attention to these signs and always take curves nice and slow.
Regulatory and Navigation Signs
Weigh Station Open or Closed
The weigh station sign is located on major highways. Below the main sign, it will indicate whether the station is open or closed. If the weigh station is open, the law mandates that you must drive in and get your truck weighed. If you are caught over the 80,000 pound total limit, or if your individual axles are overweight, you will face major fines and be put out of service.
Intersection Turn Lane Signs
Depending on the area, you will see signs that tell you how to set yourself up for a multi lane turn. If there are two lanes that turn right or left, you always want to set yourself up in the outside lane to prevent other vehicles from cutting you off on the inside. If the intersection is super tight, you might need to take up two lanes to get the proper turning radius.
