Entry-Level Driver Training: Skid Control/Recovery, Jackknifing, and Other Emergencies

This course is designed to address what causes a vehicle to skid and skid recovery. It also goes over appropriate responses to other common emergencies, teaching learners how to maintain directional control.

Course Overview

This unit must teach the causes of skidding and jackknifing and techniques for avoiding and recovering from them. The training providers must teach the importance of maintaining directional control and bringing the CMV to a stop in the shortest possible distance while operating over a slippery surface. This unit must provide instruction in appropriate responses when faced with CMV emergencies. This instruction must include evasive steering, emergency braking, and off-road recovery, as well as the proper response to brake failures, tire blowouts, hydroplaning, and rollovers. The instruction must include a review of unsafe acts and the role the acts play in producing or worsening hazardous situations.

Loss of vehicle control is scary. Even the most prepared and alert driver will experience a skid, tire blowout, or other emergency during his or her driving career. This course is designed to address what causes a vehicle to skid and skid recovery. It also goes over appropriate responses to other common emergencies, teaching learners how to maintain directional control.

By the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Identify the major causes of skids and jackknifing and employ techniques for avoiding and recovering from them
  • Explain the importance of maintaining directional control
  • Indicate appropriate responses when faced with CMV emergencies such as brake failure, a tire blowout, hydroplaning, and rollovers
  • Recognize unsafe acts that play a role in producing or worsening hazardous situations

Course Topics

  • Causes of Skids
  • Tractor-Trailer Skids
  • Skid Recovery
  • Slippery Surfaces
  • Evasive Steering
  • Emergency Braking
  • Off-Road Recovery
  • Brake Failure
  • Tire Blowouts
  • Hydroplaning
  • Rollovers