Professional drivers know there are rules that keep their days safe and uneventful, preventing injury, vehicle breakdowns, and public safety risks while maintaining customer service standards. These are trucking’s “Dirty Dozen” — twelve rules that every commercial driver should follow.
- 1Always check the oil — Even if you’re in a hurry. A blown engine is far more expensive than two minutes at the dipstick.
- 2Always check the 5th wheel connection with a flashlight — Ensure the jaws are locked behind the kingpin — especially after periods of absence from the truck.
- 3If uncertain when backing, GOAL — Get Out And Look. It takes 30 seconds and can save thousands in damage and hours of paperwork.
- 4Always back into parking spaces — At truck stops or drop-points, back in so you can pull forward when leaving. It’s safer and easier.
- 5Use 3-points of contact — When climbing on or off trucks, always maintain two arms and one leg, or two legs and one arm on the vehicle. Falls are a leading cause of driver injury.
- 6Open barn doors partially first — Check if freight has shifted before swinging the doors wide open. Cargo can fall out and injure you.
- 7Always back in on the sight-side — Unless absolutely necessary, never back blind-side. If you must, GOAL applies doubly.
- 8Make wide U-turns — With truck and trailer, use a counter-clockwise direction for circle turns when possible.
- 9Place boards under trailer dollies — On asphalt or soft surfaces, the landing gear can sink through. A couple of boards prevent costly problems.
- 10Wear ear protection near exhaust stacks — Exhaust stacks near driver doors can cause permanent hearing damage over time.
- 11Visually check trailer height before backing under — A height mismatch can cause the king pin to ride over the 5th wheel — a costly and embarrassing mistake.
- 12Check fuel levels with a flashlight — In unfamiliar trucks, dip the tank if uncertain. Running out of fuel on the road is unprofessional and dangerous.