The 18”-wheeler is the most popular type of vehicle for moving heavy loads. You need to be experienced enough to drive one of these vehicles, or you might end up damaging your load and hurting yourself in the process. In this article, we will talk about what it takes to operate an 18”-wheeler safely.
What are 18″ wheelers?
18″ wheelers are the same as the typical large trucks that you see on Colorado roads, except they have 18-inch wheels instead of 16-inch wheels. This makes these trucks taller and harder to navigate through tight spaces. These are not your average passenger vehicle; if you aren’t experienced in driving these trucks, don’t even try it. You might damage any load that is in your truck or hurt yourself in the process. The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) wants everyone to arrive safely at their destinations, so they require all truck drivers who drive oversized vehicles like 18″-wheelers to be trained and certified by a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) approved training school.
Experience matters
You need to be experienced operating an 18-wheeler if you want to operate one of these vehicles safely. The DMV isn’t focused on just having the right license or certification, though. They also require that you have at least three years of experience as a driver before even applying for your CDL (commercial driver’s license) and starting this training process. Suppose you don’t have any experience as a professional truck driver. In that case, there are other options available to you, such as working with an experienced trucking company that can help prepare and train new drivers. It doesn’t matter what type of vehicle you drive. The more time behind the wheel, the better off you will be when driving something like an 18”-wheeler.
If you have been involved in a truck accident, even if it was your fault, you should call an attorney. There are many experienced Colorado truck accident attorneys who can help. These types of accidents can be extremely dangerous to both the driver and any passengers injured in the crash. They may also lead to costly insurance bills for both parties involved. In the state of Colorado, an 18”-wheeler is considered a “large commercial vehicle,” which means that there are different laws and regulations (such as established speed limits and weight restrictions) that apply when driving these trucks on public streets and highways. If you aren’t familiar with your rights and responsibilities when driving these vehicles, it can cause problems down the road.
What does it take to drive an 18-wheeler?
There is a lot that goes into driving something as big as an 18”-wheeler. These trucks are bigger than any you have probably driven, requiring more skill and special training. To be able to operate them, you need:
A qualified and experienced co-driver (if you want to be legal and avoid fines). An approved driver training school certificate (this will allow you to earn your CDL) You also need a clean MVR (motor vehicle record). If you do not have one of these items, the DMV will not approve your CDL application. So if your goal is to get behind the wheel of an 18″ wheeler, you must be at least 21 years old and have the right experience in driving large trucks in Colorado. This includes being able to safely navigate through soft spots where water flows in mountainous areas. Around 120 people get injured every year, and 20-50 others die due to accidents with these vehicles. However, with proper training and experience, you can prevent any injuries or fatalities from occurring when behind the wheel of this type of vehicle.