Anyone who
operates a truck or truck tractor that weighs 8,000 pounds
or more but less
than 26,001 pounds or is more than 80 inches wide.
Farmers and drivers of
authorized emergency vehicles who drive commercial
motor vehicles, but are
exempt from obtaining a commercial driver license,
must obtain a Class D
license.
Speed Limits
All
motor vehicles, with the exception of mopeds, must obey the same
speed limits.See SPEED LIMITS.
Following Distance
A truck or any vehicle towing another vehicle may not follow
within
300 feet of another truck or vehicle towing a vehicle. This law does not
apply to overtaking and passing, and it does not apply within cities or
towns.
Stopping Distance
By
law, the following vehicles must be able to stop within the distances
listed.
Within 30 feet at 20 mph:
single-unit vehicles
weighing 10,000 pounds or less.
Within 40 feet at 20 mph:
single-unit vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds.
all buses.
combination of two-axle towing vehicle (such as a truck tractor) and
a
trailer, with the trailer weighing 3000 pounds or less.
all combinations of
vehicles in tow-away operations.
Within 50 feet at 20 mph:
all other vehicles except passenger vehicles with seating capacity
of 10
people or less, including the driver.
Every trailer or semi-trailer
weighing 3000 pounds or more must
have brakes which can be operated by the
driver in the towing motor vehicle.
The brakes must be designed and connected so
that they will automatically
stop the trailer if it breaks away from the towing
vehicle.
Lights, Side Marker Lamps, and
Reflectors
Buses, trucks, truck tractors and trailers must have the
following equipment:
Every bus or truck: On the rear, two
reflectors, one at each side,
and one stop light.
Every bus or truck 80
inches or more wide: On the front, two clearance
lamps, one at each side. On
each side, two side marker lamps, one at or
near the front and one at or near
the rear. On each side, 2 reflectors,
one at or near the front and one at or
near the rear. These vehicles must
also have electric turn signals if built
after January 1, 1972.
Every truck tractor: On the front, two clearance
lamps, one at each
side. On the rear, one stop light.
Every trailer or
semi-trailer weighing more than 3,000 pounds: On the
front, two clearance
lamps, one at each side. On each side, two side marker
lamps, one at or near
the front and one at or near the rear. On the rear,
two clearance lamps, one at
each side, and two reflectors, one at or near
the front and one at/or near the
rear. There shall also be two stoplights
on the rear of these vehicles. One
stoplight is permitted on vehicles built
before January 1, 1972.
Every
pole trailer weighing more than 3,000 pounds: On each side, one
side marker
lamp and one clearance lamp (which may be in combination),
to show to the
front, side and rear. On the rear of the pole trailer or
load, two reflectors,
one at each side.
Every trailer, semi-trailer or pole trailer weighing
3,000 pounds or
less: On the rear, two reflectors, one on each side.
Required Placement
Reflectors must be mounted not less than 24
inches and not more than
60 inches above the ground. If the highest part of the
vehicle is less than
24 inches, the reflector should be mounted at the top of the
vehicle. The
rear reflectors on a pole trailer may be mounted on each side of the
load. Any required reflector on the rear of a vehicle may be part of the
taillamp. Clearance lamps must be mounted on the permanent structure
of the vehicle
to show its extreme height and width. Side marker lights may
be mounted at any height unless mounted in combination
with clearance lamps. Then
both must be able to be seen from front, side
and rear.
Limitations on
Towing
The following rules apply to the drawbar or towing
connection:
It must be strong enough to pull all towed weight.
It must not be more than 15 feet long unless you are towing poles,
pipes,
machinery, or other objects that cannot be easily taken apart.
If a chain,
rope, or cable is used as the towing connection, you must
have a white flag at
least 12 inches square attached to it.
Limitations on Loading; Securing the Load
You
may not drive or move any loaded vehicle on the highway if the load
is not
secure. The load must not be able to drop, shift, leak, or otherwise
escape.
You must use a close-fitting cover when hauling loads which could fall
or blow onto the roadway. Examples: dirt, sand, lime-rock, gravel, silica,
trash or garbage.
Every truck carrying logs or pulpwood must use proper
equipment, including
lock chains that will securely fasten the load.
Rearview Mirror
No matter what kind of load you are carrying,
you must have a rearview
mirror that allows you to see the highway at least 200
feet behind you.
Projecting Load
When a load extends to the rear 4
feet or more beyond the bed or body
of the loaded vehicle, it must be clearly
marked.
Nighttime
At night or when you cannot see clearly
at least 1000 feet ahead, the
following markers must be used:
Two
red lamps on the back of the load which can be seen from at least
500 feet to
the rear.
Two red reflectors on the rear which can be seen at night from
all
distances between 100 and 600 feet when directly in front of low-beam
headlights.
These reflectors should be placed to show the full width of the
load.
Two red lamps, one on each side of the load, which can be seen from
at least 500 feet. These lamps should be placed near the end of the projecting
load.
Daytime
In the daytime, red flags at least 12 inches
square must be placed on the
projecting load where red lamps are used at night
(extreme rear and sides).
Directional Signal Requirements
Your vehicle must have directional signals under the
following conditions:
When the driver's hand signals cannot be seen
from both the front and
rear because of the way the vehicle is built or loaded.
When the nearest distance from the center top of the steering post
to the
outside of the cab, body or load is more than 24 inches.
When the distance
from the center top of the steering post to the rear
limit of the body or load
is more than 14 feet. (This applies to a single
vehicle or combination of
vehicles.)
Warning Devices
Vehicles 80 inches or more wide or 30 feet or more long must carry warning
devices when they are being operated on any highway outside a city or town
or on
any divided highway at night (from 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2
hour before
sunrise). This rule applies to such vehicles as trucks, buses,
truck tractors,
and vehicles towing house trailers. The following equipment must be
carried:
Three flares, three red electric lanterns, or three red
emergency reflectors.
Three red-burning fuses (unless lanterns or reflectors are carried).
These warning devices must be displayed when
the vehicle is stopped
on a roadway or on the side of a road outside a city or
town for more than
10 minutes. The vehicle's four-way flashers may be used until
the warning
devices can be placed.
ANY VEHICLE USED TO CARRY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS, COMPRESSED FLAMMABLE GASES
OR EXPLOSIVES MUST NOT CARRY ANY FLARES, FUSES, OR OTHER SIGNALS PRODUCED BY
FLAME. THESE VEHICLES MUST USE ELECTRIC LANTERNS, REFLECTORS, AND FLAGS ONLY.
Placement of Warning Devices
warning device display: two-way roadway
All disabled
trucks, truck-tractors, and buses must display emergency warning
signals as shown
if parked outside the city limits of a municipality.
WARNING DEVICES REQUIREMENTS
Flares
Able to be seen from 600' under normal conditions at
night.
Built to burn for at least 12 hours in 5 mph wind.
Able to burn
in winds up to 40 mph.
Able to withstand shock without damage.
Electric Lanterns
Able to be seen from Lanterns 600'
under normal conditions at night.
Able to operate for at least 12 hours.
Able to withstand shocks without damage.
Free-Standing
Reflectors
Able to reflect low-beam headlights from 100' away
to 600' away
Able to withstand shocks without damage.
Fuses
Able to burn at least 15 minutes.
Meets
specifications of The Bureau of Explosives (N.Y.)
Flags
A red flag, not less than 12 inches square.
DAYTIME/NIGHTTIME PLACEMENT
Nighttime On Two-Way
Roadway.
One 100' ahead, one 100' behind in the center of the
lane where the
vehicle is.
One on traffic side 10' to the rear or ahead of
vehicle.
On Divided Highway.
One 200' to the rear,
one 100' to the rear in the center of the lane
where the vehicle is stopped.
One 10' to the rear on traffic side.
Electric
Lanterns-Nighttime-same as flares.
Free-Standing
Reflectors-Nighttime-same as flares.
Fuses-Nightime-On Two-Way Roadway
One lighted fuses, lantern or reflector should be placed on the traffic
side of the vehicle right away. All other signals should be placed before
the fuses burns out.
Flags-Daytime
100'ahead and 100' behind the stopped vehicle
Maximum Weights
The gross weight on the highway
from the wheels of any one axle of a
vehicle must not be more than 22,000
pounds. The total weight allowed on all axles of a vehicle or
combination of
vehicles is determined by the number of axles and the distance
between them.
Vehicles with longer wheel bases and 5 or more axles may weigh up
to 80,000
pounds including tolerances. For more information, see Section 316.535,
Florida Statutes, or contact the Florida Department of Transportation, Bureau
of
Weights and Safety, Douglas Building, Room 208, 2540 Executive Center
Circle
West, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450, or telephone (850) 488-7920.
Maximum Width, Height and Length
Other Vehicles:
Maximum height of a
vehicle including load: 13 feet, 6 inches.
Maximum width of a vehicle
including load: 96 inches (8 feet). On roads
with traffic lanes 12 feet wide or
more, vehicles may be 102 inches (8.5
feet). Maximum length including load
overhang (load overhang over front
or front bumper of vehicle cannot exceed 3
feet):
Single unit, 2 axles - 35 feet
Single unit 3 axles - 40 feet
Class D License
Exam
Questions The Class D License examination has 20 questions and 20 road
signs. Some of the test questions will come from the list below; others will come
from the Class E test questions in Chapter 5.
You are allowed to miss not more than five questions and five road signs.
First Aid
If you come upon an accident, activate the Emergency Medical System (EMS) to insure
prompt response. Then apply four first aid rules:
Protect yourself from possible injury or infection - use barrier devices
such as gloves and a mask.
Start the breathing. If the injured person has stopped breathing,
start artificial respiration right away. Do not stop until another qualified
person relieves you or the victim is breathing normally.
Stop the bleeding. Most bleeding can be stopped by pressing down
on the wound. If possible you should place a gauze pad, a clean cloth or even
your fingers (if wearing protective gloves) will have to be used. Bleeding
from an artery should always be stopped first. The blood from an artery will
be bright red and will come out of the wound in spurts. If the blood is darker
in color and flows evenly, it is from a vein. Once the gauze or cloth is in
place - DO NOT REMOVE IT.
Treat for Shock. Persons who have been injured may go into shock.
When someone is in shock, all of the body functions slow down. Shock can be
very serious. It can cause death. Shock may develop right after a crash or
later. Injured persons must be treated for shock regardless of whether or
not they appear to be in shock.
Reassure the injured person. Your calmness will help. Do not give them
anything to drink.
Cover the person with blankets or coats to hold body heat. Have the person
lie flat.
Keep onlookers back so that the injured person has air.
Keep their head as low as possible unless there is a head injury.
Loosen tight collars to make breathing easier.
DO NOT MOVE AN INJURED PERSON IF THE PERSON CANNOT MOVE OR
COMPLAINS OF PAIN IN THE BACK OR NECK OR HAS A HEAD INJURY.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE HELMET OF AN INJURED MOTORCYCLE RIDER.
USE PRUDENT CARE AND GOOD JUDGEMENT. WORK ONLY WITHIN THE SCOPE OF CARE YOU
ARE TRAINED TO PROVIDE.
All
motor vehicles, with the exception of mopeds, must obey the same
speed limits.See 
