For businesses requiring reliable refrigerated transportation without the need for a commercial driver’s license (CDL), the 18 to 26 ft. refrigerated truck – non-CDL is the perfect choice. Designed to keep your perishable goods at the optimal temperature while offering ample cargo space, this truck is ideal for a range of industries working with temperature-sensitive goods.
When it comes to versatile and efficient transportation options, the 16 ft. box truck stands out as a top choice for small to medium-sized jobs and deliveries. Whether you're a small business owner, tradesperson, or professional looking for last-mile delivery solutions, this light-duty truck offers the perfect balance of size, power and maneuverability.
With one of the best-maintained fleets in the industry, a commitment to customer service and convenient locations nationwide, Penske ensures you have the right vehicle when you need it. See our 16 ft. box truck in action and contact us today to get started.
In heavy-duty transportation, the tandem-axle day cab is a mighty force, combining power, efficiency and versatility. Curious to learn more about this impressive vehicle? Keep reading and discover how the tandem-axle day cab can work for you.
Whether you're hauling freight across state lines or making local deliveries, the tandem-axle day cab from Penske is your ultimate partner in power and performance. With its exceptional capabilities and nationwide availability, this truck will redefine your transportation experience.
Visit the tandem-axle day cab page to explore this vehicle and see it in action.
In the constantly evolving transportation industry, businesses are increasingly seeking sustainable alternatives to meet their operational needs. Enter Penske’s Electric Cargo Van, a revolutionary solution designed to elevate your business while contributing to a more sustainable future.
Whether you're a forward-thinking business owner or a seasoned professional looking to embrace eco-friendly solutions, the Electric Cargo Van is a game-changer. Experience the benefits of sustainability, cost-efficiency and reliable performance as you navigate the future of transportation.
Visit the Electric Cargo Van page for an in-depth look at this innovative vehicle and take the first step towards a sustainable, more efficient fleet.
A reliable and efficient solution for hauling cargo, this medium-duty box truck is ready to elevate your business operations. Want to know more about this versatile vehicle? Watch the 22 to 26 foot CDL box truck in action or browse additional highlights below.
Key Features Include:
Spacious Cargo Capacity: Up to 17,000 lbs. of payload capacity offers ample cargo space to accommodate a wide range of larger loads, making these box trucks ideal for a variety of industries.
Safety: We prioritize safety with features like anti-lock or air brakes, power steering, and more, emphasizing our commitment to the well-being of drivers, their cargo, and others on the road.
Versatility: Whether you’re in the business of local deliveries or need a reliable long-haul option, this box truck stands out for its versatility. With a spacious cargo area, this truck provides ample room for your goods and is licensed to carry more weight than our Non-CDL model.
Fuel Efficiency: At a time when sustainability is key, the 22-26 foot CDL box truck doesn’t fall short. With a focus on fuel efficiency, Penske has designed this truck to meet your operational requirements and contribute to a more sustainable environment. Save on fuel costs without compromising on performance.
Reliable Maintenance: We take pride in our well-maintained fleet, and the 22-26 foot CDL box truck is no exception. Regularly serviced and inspected, this truck offers reliability that your business can depend on. Minimize downtime and keep your operations running smoothly with Penske’s commitment to excellence in maintenance.
Efficient Loading and Unloading: Our trucks are designed for efficient loading and unloading, featuring a rear roll-up door for easy access to the cargo area, plus a curbside door option in some markets. Trucks also come equipped with cargo lighting and a translucent roof for complete visibility at all times of the day, while a liftgate or liftgate/ramp combo enhances overall workflow, reduces downtime and increases productivity.
CDL Requirement: These trucks require a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), to ensure safety and compliance. We also have the 22-26 ft. box truck – Non-CDL for those without a CDL license.
Availability: We provide nationwide availability of rental trucks, allowing businesses easy access to reliable and well-maintained vehicles for their transportation needs.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or a new business owner looking for a rental partner you can trust, our 22-26 foot box truck ensures the safety of your cargo while getting you where you need to go.
Visit the 22 to 26 ft Box Truck – CDL page for a closer look at this vehicle.
What do you get when you add up the early sunsets of autumn with the end of Daylight Saving time? A lot more hours of driving in the dark.
Nighttime driving creates many additional hazards for professional truck drivers. While only 25% of all driving in the U.S. happens at night, half of all fatal crashes occur after dark, says the National Safety Council (NSC).
Knowing the answers to these five questions about the dangers of driving in the dark can help you navigate nighttime roadways safely:
Dark skies are just one visibility issue truck drivers must face each fall and winter. The darkness can affect your depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision, too. Plus, the glare from oncoming headlights can temporarily blind you. Dimly or poorly lit roadways don’t make things easier. Some tips to increase your visibility:
Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Drivers are three times more likely to be in a crash if they are fatigued, says the NSC.
Even though it may get darker earlier, the roads you travel on won’t be any less crowded. Evening rush hour (between 4 – 7 p.m. on weekdays) is especially dangerous. In addition, most crashes or near misses happen between 4 – 6 a.m., midnight – 2 p.m. and 2 – 4 p.m., says the NSC.
Driving in the dark means you have less time to react if something — or someone — crosses your path. Take it slower than normal when the sun goes down:
In October, November and December, drivers have a 1 in 109 chance of striking an animal on the road, says State Farm. Watch for animals around dawn and between 6 – 9 p.m., when they’re most active. If you see a deer or other animal:
What hazards will this winter bring to commercial motor vehicle drivers? While nobody knows for sure how bad each winter may be, the Farmer’s Almanac indicates that the winter of 2022-23 will include plenty of snow, rain and mush, along with record-breaking cold in parts of the U.S.
That means professional drivers must be ready for anything and plan accordingly. This includes keeping a properly stocked roadside emergency kit with you at all times. Your kit can help if you get stuck or stranded in harsh weather and is there if you suffer an unexpected mechanical breakdown or accident. In extreme situations, the items in your kit may even save your life. So prior to each trip, inspect the items in your kit to ensure completeness and make sure you know how to operate the emergency equipment before an emergency happens.
What should go in your kit?
The U.S. Department of Transportation mandates that all drivers carry:
It’s been a dangerous and deadly summer for tractor trailers and trains. In June, a collision between a dump truck and an Amtrak train in Missouri sparked a derailment that caused four deaths and an estimated $4 billion in damages.
In July, train and semitruck collisions happened in Las Vegas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Iowa, causing injuries and fatalities. And in August, an Amtrak train collided with a semi in Maryland, injuring the truck driver.
Trains are faster than many truck drivers think. You may not realize that trains actually take a very long time to stop. A train traveling at 55 mph needs a mile or more to stop. The nonprofit group Operation Lifesaver offers these tips to help professional drivers navigate railroad crossings safely.
Turn off noisy radios and fans, and never use your smartphone.
Never think otherwise.
Don’t ignore them, and don’t drive around warning arms if they’re closed—it’s illegal and dangerous.
Look around any obstructions located near the tracks. If you can’t see clearly, don’t attempt to cross.
Two or more tracks can mean two or more trains are coming.
Trucks carrying hazardous materials must stop at all crossings unless an exempt sign is posted at the crossing.
Look for low-ground clearance warnings. If you drive anything low to the ground (lowboy, bus, truck or trailer) you are at risk for getting hung up. If there is a limited amount of room or a lot of traffic, always make sure you have the space you need to completely clear the tracks before proceeding.
If you’re stuck on the tracks, leave your cab immediately. Call the phone number on the blue and white Emergency Notification System sign at the tracks and give the operator the posted crossing identification number. If there is no blue-and-white sign, call 911.
If you haven’t recently checked all the components of your truck’s brake system, now is the time to get it done.
For its annual Brake Safety Week, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) law enforcement officers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico will perform Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) inspections in search of brake system violations. Here’s how you can prepare:
Inspections will take place at fixed weigh stations, temporary pop-up inspection sites and roving roadway patrols.
Your vehicle will be placed out of service (OOS).
During last year’s Brake Safety Week, law enforcement officers completed 28,694 inspections in the U.S. alone. Roughly 4,200 of those vehicles (13.5%) received a brake-related OOS violation. In April 2022, the CVSA inspected 9,132 CMVs during an unannounced Brake Safety Day. Nearly 1,300 vehicles (14.1%) inspected that day received a brake-related OOS violation.
Inspectors will check all components of brake systems, with a particular focus on brake hose/tubing chafing violations.
The best way to ensure a fully functional and safe braking system is to establish and enforce a routine inspection schedule. It’s equally important to ensure your drivers are properly trained and understand their responsibility to complete the required pre, during, and post-trip inspections. In addition, the CVSA also recommends drivers take these 10 steps:
Properly maintained brakes save lives, especially in split-second emergency situations. Keep your vehicle’s brakes in good working order during Brake Safety Week and all year long.
As an estimated 480,000 school buses return to U.S. roads over the next few weeks, it’s time for professional drivers to brush up on their own lesson plan: How to drive with care during back-to-school season. Remember these 7 words that can help you avoid an accident and potentially save a life.
When you see a bus with flashing red lights and a stop arm extended, you must stop no matter which direction you are heading. It’s illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that’s loading and unloading children unless the bus is on the other side of a divided road. When you stop, leave plenty of room so children can get to and from a bus. The space 10 feet around a bus is considered the most dangerous for children because bus drivers cannot see children walking in that zone.
Always obey the flashing lights and posted speed limits within school zones. Most have posted speeds of 10, 15 or 20 mph during student drop-off and pickup times. Avoid changing lanes, passing or making U-turns in school zones. Also, always obey signals from crossing guards. In some states they carry the same authority as law enforcement officers.
Know the location of every school zone on your route and plan for extra travel time. Also, expect delays whenever you travel on residential roads between 6 – 9 a.m. or 2 – 5 p.m. They’re the most frequent times for bus traffic.
Look twice for pedestrians when approaching any crosswalk or intersection during peak school travel times. Also, remember that children may not use crosswalks. Scan the side of the road between parked cars and other places where children may appear unexpectedly and attempt to cross the street.
School-time driving safety isn’t just about buses. Teenagers are also driving to school in their own cars. Some are driving for the first time and may not follow all traffic laws. Back-to-school season also means an increase in bicyclists. Be on the lookout and share the road.
Your truck’s horn sounds much louder to children outside the truck than it does to you in the cab. Don’t honk the horn at children walking across the street or on bicycles. The noise may startle them and cause them to fall or get hurt.
Put the cell phone down and keep your focus on the road. Avoid eating, changing radio stations or adjusting the navigation system in your truck.
You may think distracted driving and DUIs cause the largest amount of traffic accidents each year — and you'd be right. But did you know that speeding is #3 on the list?
In 2020, speeding caused nearly 3 out of every 10 fatal crashes, according to the National Safety Council. And the number of motor vehicle deaths keeps rising at an alarming rate. In 2021, highway crashes led to more than 46,000 fatalities, up 9% from 2020 and 18% from 2019.
As Americans plan their summer road trips and hit the highways, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers should practice extra caution and follow these golden rules of safe driving: Don't speed, don't tailgate, and drive defensively based on current traffic and road conditions.
Always drive within the posted speed limit. Also, adjust your speed for any adverse weather conditions. When roads are wet, you should reduce your speed by one-third, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
If the speed limit is 60 MPH in ideal (dry) driving conditions, you should travel 40 MPH when the road is wet.
Driving over the speed limit — or going too fast on wet roads — reduces your reaction time in case of emergency. In addition, the faster you travel, the harder you'll hit another object or motorist in the event of an accident.
Driving a safe speed can also save you money. Your truck's MPG goes down significantly for each MPH over 60 that you drive, says the U.S. Department of Energy.
While the three-second rule (keep three seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you, counting one-one thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand) is a good guide, it's not the most accurate. The best measure is to keep a following distance of at least one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length. Add one more second if you're driving faster than 40 MPH.
For example:
Tractor-trailer length: 50 feet
Speed: 50 MPH
Following distance:
1 second x 5 feet = 5 + 1 second for speed over 40 MPH = 6 Seconds Following Distance
That recommended following distance is a minimum. In rain or other bad weather, you should double your following distance. Remember, large vehicles take longer to stop than passenger vehicles. Keeping a proper following distance will help prevent your chances of a rear-end collision, a common cause of highway accidents.
Another wise summer driving safety tip: Be patient. Speeding and tailgating are both forms of aggressive driving and are not good representations of a professional driver. The more patience you show on the road, the safer you'll be.
The annual 72-hour Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) International Roadcheck roadside inspection blitz includes more than 40,000 commercial motor vehicle (CMV) inspections across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Each year, law enforcement officers focus on one particular safety area, and this year it's wheel ends. That includes wheels, rims, hubs, tires, brakes and slack adjusters.
Prepare yourself and your vehicle for this year's International Roadcheck with these four tips:
Be sure to check the condition of wheel-end components and look for any signs of wheel-bearing problems. Finding any wear early can help you prevent a vehicle out-of-service (OOS) violation and keep your truck safe on the road. Don't forget to re-check these critical components again before you leave your scheduled stops.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's a good bet your wheel ends need maintenance or repair:
During last year's Roadcheck, 16.5% of CMVs inspected in the U.S. received vehicle OOS violations. Brake systems, tires, lights, brake adjustment and cargo securement were the top-five vehicle OOS items.
In addition, 5.3% of drivers received OOS violations for items like hours of service violations, false logs, or driving with the wrong class license or a suspended license. So, make sure all items on your truck work properly and that your records and ID are up to date.
During an inspection, law enforcement officers will look for these wheel-end problems:
Accidents happen! According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) most recent Traffic Safety Facts report, about 538,000 large trucks were involved in police-reported crashes in 2019. Those accidents led to 159,000 injuries and more than 5,000 deaths.
While not every accident can be prevented, you can reduce your risk for crashes and injuries by doing these three smart things on every ride, every time:
The good news: more than 90% of all drivers now wear seat belts, according to NHTSA. The bad news: commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers are less likely to wear one. Choosing not to wear a seat belt is against the law, and has a significant negative impact on your company's Department of Transportation (DOT) and Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) ratings.
It also can be deadly. In fact, in early February, two drivers of bucket trucks were killed in separate crashes—one in South Dakota, the other in Oklahoma. Both drivers were ejected from their vehicles. Neither was wearing a seat belt. Putting on your seatbelt is the first thing you should do when you get in your vehicle.
A few seat belt facts:
Texting while driving on average takes your eyes off the road for nearly five seconds. If you're driving 55 mph, that's the same as driving the length of a football field — including the end zones — with your eyes closed. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, your odds of a crash or near-crash are 23.2 times higher when texting.
Never text or use your mobile phone while driving. It's illegal in most states, and will result in costly fines, penalties, and it can even cost you your license. Also, avoid other distractions, including eating or adjusting your truck's GPS system while driving.
Warmer weather in spring and summer brings more traffic and hot tempers. That can lead to road rage. Typical road rage behaviors include deliberately tailgating, blocking others from changing lanes, and cutting off other vehicles on purpose.
Avoid road rage by driving defensively and remember that you are a Professional Driver and should conduct yourself accordingly.
Spring marks the start of road construction season, and with more road work projects planned nationwide, professional drivers can expect to navigate more than their fair share of work zones.
Work zones bring potential dangers for both drivers and construction workers. In fact, nearly 84% of people killed in work zone accidents in 2019 were motorists and passengers, according to the most recent information available from WorkZoneSafety.org.
Follow these 5 top tips from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to protect yourself and your vehicle while driving through work zones.
Never drive over the posted work zone speed limit. In most states, fines for speeding are doubled in work zones, and in some states, work zone speeding can lead to jail time. By reducing your speed, you'll be able to better navigate the narrow lanes and traffic pattern shifts that occur frequently in work zones.
40% increase in work zone speeding in 2019
Source: Workzonesafety.org
Vehicles tend to bunch up in work zones, and vehicles often make sudden stops, so it's important to maintain extra space between your vehicle and the car in front of you at all times. Drivers slamming into the rear of slowed or stopped vehicles is the No. 1 cause of work zone crashes, according to the American Traffic Safety Services Foundation.
29% increase in rear-end work zone collisions in 2019
Source: Workzonesafety.org
Before you jump behind the wheel, use a map or traffic app to know the location of active work zones along your route. Plan to avoid them or use detours whenever possible.
6 high-risk states: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas
Source: FMCSA
You should move into the open lane as soon as you see the first black-and-orange sign telling you a work zone is ahead. Pay attention to your truck's blind spots when changing lanes.
33% of work zone crashes involve Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs)
Source: Workzonesafety.org
Avoid using your cellphone or GPS system, eating, drinking, adjusting your truck's radio or talking with passengers while traveling through a work zone.
842 fatalities in work zone crashes in 2019
Source: Workzonesafety.org
Life on the road means lots of hours behind the wheel. It can also mean way too many high-fat, high-calorie truck stop and diner meals. And sadly, all those calories come at a cost. Studies show that 7 in 10 truck drivers are overweight, which raises their risk for serious heart disease.
Yet it doesn’t have to be this way. Drivers can lower their risk for heart disease — and improve quality of life — by making a few simple choices each day. Let’s look at five ways to still satisfy your hunger and keep your heart beating strong.
1. Eat smaller meals more often. Don’t load all your calories into one big evening meal. Instead, spread out your meals. Eating three smaller meals and two or three snacks a day will help you in several ways. For one, it will keep you feeling full. For another, it will help your body regulate its blood sugar levels. That will reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes, which leads to obesity and higher risks of heart disease. It will also keep you alert for your entire shift.
2. Balance your meals. For breakfast, try yogurt, hardboiled eggs, oatmeal, whole-grain breads or fresh fruit like berries. For lunch and dinner, heart-healthier items include chicken, turkey, tuna, lean ground beef, beans or rice. A salad is always a wise choice, as long as you go easy on dressings that contain high levels of sugar or fat. Keeping a mini-fridge, small slow cooker or microwave in your truck can help you make your own healthier meals.
3. Reach for water. Swapping sugary soft drinks for water is sometimes the fastest way to lose weight and reduce the strain on your heart. Water may help improve your digestion and make you feel full faster, so you don’t eat too much.
4. Pack your snacks. If you select your own snacks, you’ll reduce your cravings for diner food or unhealthy grab-and-go items like king size candy bars, chips or doughnuts. Some smart snack choices:
5. Don’t make truck stop meals a regular habit. They’re OK every once and a while, but not every morning and night. When eating at a truck stop, avoid deep-fried foods like onion rings and chicken fingers. Load up half your plate with green vegetables. And steer clear of the specials—many of them come with loads of calories.
More than 70% of the nation's roads sit in regions that see over 5 inches of snowfall each year. That means there's a good chance you'll encounter slippery and downright dangerous driving conditions over the next three months.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration estimates that 1 in every 4 weather-related vehicle crashes happen on snowy, slushy or icy pavement. Drive smart and stay safe no matter the conditions by knowing how to avoid these top 7 winter hazards:
1. Lack of preparation. Don't let down your guard. Pack a safety kit that includes blankets, extra clothing, rain gear, nonperishable food, water, jumper cables, and roadside flares or markers in case you get stranded in frigid weather. Carry rock salt, sand or kitty litter for traction. Consider using tire chains in states that allow them. Bring snow brushes and ice scrapers with you. Always clean ice and snow off your mirrors, windows and lights. Check tires for proper pressure and make sure your truck is services and its safety systems operate properly.
2. Speed. Snow, sleet, ice and slush reduce traction. Drive only as fast as road conditions allow. Accelerate and brake slowly. Apply the brakes earlier and slowly when approaching red lights and stop signs. Assume that you will slide. Keep a firm grip on the wheel. Don't use cruise control. Slow down when driving in gusty winter winds, too, especially when hauling an empty trailer.
3. Tailgating. You need more time to stop in slippery conditions, so avoid following other vehicles too closely. Keep a distance of about 7 – 14 seconds between vehicles. Also, in snow, don't follow in other drivers' ruts; they likely include hard-packed ice.
4. Black ice. Icy roads look just like wet roads, which makes them especially dangerous. Drive too fast on black ice and you'll likely spin out of control or jackknife. A quick tip: If there's no road spray from other cars, you're probably driving on black ice. Slow down and drive with extra caution.
5. Bridges, on ramps and off ramps. Bridges and other elevated surfaces freeze faster than roadways. Highway on ramps and off ramps typically are slicker than the roads they lead to and from.
6. Other drivers. No matter how safely you drive in winter weather, odds are that other drivers won't do the same. Expect erratic driving behaviors so you don't get caught up in another motorist's accident.
7. Not knowing your limits. Don't be a hero. If you do not have the experience or feel unsafe, then don't drive. If you encounter whiteout conditions or simply feel unsafe driving, pull over and wait for weather to clear.
With holiday traffic volumes expected to be near pre-pandemic levels this year, professional drivers can expect to share the road with millions of motorists nationwide. But the highways won’t be the only crowded place. Truck stops and rest areas will be jam-packed, too!
The American Transportation Research Institute’s annual ranking of top industry concerns ranks truck parking as commercial drivers’ #1 trouble spot. The Federal Highway Administration says there are only about 313,000 truck spots nationally to accommodate the 3.5 million drivers on the road today.
Finding safe parking isn’t impossible. But it does take some pre-trip strategy. Follow these tips to secure the best possible parking spot this holiday season:
Did you know November is deer mating season? That means drivers run a high risk for collisions with deer and other wildlife. Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that animal-vehicle collisions are two times more likely in November than in any other month of the year.
According to Consumer Reports, the top five states with the highest risk are West Virginia (1 in 37), Montana (1 in 39), South Dakota (1 in 48), Pennsylvania, and Michigan (both at 1 in 54).
No matter which state you travel through this month, it's good to take precautions. Use these 9 tips to avoid animal strikes and minimize their impact:
1. Buckle up. More than half of fatalities from animal strikes happen after the collision because drivers aren't wearing a seatbelt. Not only is buckling up the law, but it can also save your life.
2. Slow down. Always drive the speed limit so you have enough time to scan the road for wildlife and react if an animal crosses your path. Also, remember that your visibility decreases at dawn and dusk, so adjust your vehicle's speed accordingly.
3. Don't tailgate. Following other vehicles too closely reduces your field of vision and shortens your reaction time.
4. Know the area. Be extra cautious on roads surrounded by farmland or trees on either side. Look for posted animal crossing signs and slow down when you see them. Remember where you've seen wildlife in the past.
5. Stay alert. Use your high beams at night if there is no oncoming traffic. Watch for the reflection of deer eyes in your headlights. Look for shadows near the shoulder of the road or signs of animal movement between you and the lights of oncoming cars.
6. Don't swerve. If you swerve to avoid an animal, you run the risk of colliding with a guardrail, utility pole or other stationary object. You also might drive off the side of the road and experience a rollover. If you can't avoid a collision, slow down as much as possible and brace for impact. It's safer than putting your life at risk by swerving.
7. Look for "animal friends." Deer travel in packs. If you see one, it's likely more will be nearby.
8. Don't trust the deer horns. They're not proven to work and may actually startle the deer, causing it to stand still in the roadway.
9. Know what to do if you strike an animal. Pull over to a safe space. Turn on your flashers and put down flares or reflective triangles. Use caution when approaching an injured animal. Call dispatch or 911 as needed.
At 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5, Daylight Saving Time will end. And while we'll all gain an extra hour of sleep, we'll also lose an hour of daytime driving.
Even though there's often less traffic on the roads at night, 50% of all traffic fatalities occur after sunset, according to the National Safety Council. The peak time of day for fatal crashes from October through March is between 4 – 7:50 p.m.
Get ready for the time change. Take this quick refresher on safe habits for driving in the dark.
1. Use your high beams – Make sure your truck's headlights are properly adjusted. When it's dark, use your high beams whenever it's safe to do so. High beams allow you to see twice as far ahead (500 feet) than low beams (about 250 – 300 feet). Switch to low beams whenever you're within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.
2. Slow down – No matter how good your vision is, it's a simple fact that drivers can't see as much of the road at night as they can during the day. That means you should always drive the speed limit at night, and slow down even further if inclement weather or other conditions limit your visibility further.
3. Reduce glare – In just 5 seconds, a truck driving 55 mph travels the length of a football field. So, 5 seconds of blindness from glare can be dangerous. Cut down glare by keeping a clean windshield. Replace your wiper blades frequently. Dim your dashboard lights.
4. Look away from oncoming lights – Staring at the headlights from oncoming traffic can cause discomfort and reduce your reaction time. When bright lights come your way, look toward the center or the right-hand edge of the road until traffic passes. Also, adjust your mirrors so other drivers' headlights and high beams won't blind you.
5. Stay extra-alert – Night driving has many hazards, including an increased risk of collisions with wildlife, livestock, and impaired motorists. Know these risks and keep an eye out for them at all times.
6. Know your limits – According to the National Transportation Highway Safety Administration, about 100,000 police-reported crashes occur each year due to drowsy driving, with peaks seen between midnight – 2 a.m. and 4 – 6 a.m. Aim for seven-and-a-half hours of sleep each night. Also, know when you start to get tired and pull over immediately and take a break.
7. Get your eyes checked. The American Optometry Association recommends getting an eye exam at least once every two years even if you don't wear glasses, and at least once a year if you wear glasses or if you are at risk for vision problems.
Minimizing over-the-road breakdowns and preventing out-of-service violations are two of the many benefits of pre- and post-trip inspections. Use this list of dos and don'ts to complete your inspections the right way.
They're the law. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulation 392.7 requires pre-trip inspections, while regulation 396.11 mandates post-trip inspections.
For a pre-trip inspection, check:
Check the same items for post-trip inspections minus the fluid checks — don't touch anything that might be hot!
Thump checks don't work, because a tire sounds empty only if it's nearly 100% out of air. Use a calibrated tire gauge instead. Also, make sure all tires have the proper tread depth and that all lug nuts are tight.
More than 1 out of every 4 vehicle out-of-service violations in the U.S. during the 2023 Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA's) International Roadcheck were due to brake system violations.
Instead, develop a routine, and go in the same order with each pre- and post-trip check. Consider starting at the cab, then inside the cab, the front of the vehicle, then around the truck starting at the driver's side.
There's no rush. Budget 10-15 minutes for a proper pre-trip inspection.
A clean cab tells an inspector that the rest of the vehicle is in good shape. A dirty cab says the opposite.
It's the best way to make sure your truck doesn't accidentally move when you're doing a pre- or post-trip check. Forgetting to do so could cause a serious injury — or worse.
Whether you use electronic or paper logs, keep them updated regularly, and make sure all other paperwork (driver's license, inspection, insurance) is current.
If you spot something out of the ordinary during your post-trip inspection, report it to dispatch immediately.