Knowing how to brake properly and handling emergency stopping situations properly is an important part of operating a commercial vehicle.

Here are some common questions you may find about CDL braking and skids.

You are viewing: What Is Controlled Braking

Some common types of braking questions you may encounter on your CDL knowledge test include:

• Controlled Braking
• Stab Braking
• Anti-Lock Brakes
• Brake Lag
• Braking Skids

Controlled Braking

A controlled braking method is designed to brake by keeping your vehicle in a straight line, but allows you to turn if necessary.

How to Use the Controlled Braking Technique

The controlled braking method involves:

• Applying the brakes as hard as you can without locking up the wheels.
• Keeping the steering wheel movements to a minimum.

Release the brakes if the wheels lock or you need to make a large steering adjustment.

Stab Braking

The stab braking method is another method designed to brake in a straight line, and allow for movement if the need arises.

To use the stab braking method:

• Apply the brakes completely.
• Release the brakes when the wheels lock.
• When the wheels begin to roll again, apply the brakes completely once again.

Avoid re-applying the brakes before the wheels stop rolling again.

CMV Brake Lag

Brake lag is a phenomenon you’ll experience when using air brake.

Brake lag describes the time it takes for the brakes to work after you’ve pressed the brake pedal.

With air brakes, it can take up to a ½ second of more for the air to travel through the brake lines after applying the brakes.

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Brake lag adds to your total stopping distance.

Brake lag adds about 32 feet to your total stopping distance at 55 mph in good conditions.

When traveling at 55 mph in good conditions, a commercial vehicle equipped with air brakes, may take up to 450 feet to come to a complete stop.

Anti-Lock Brake Malfunctions

Antilock braking systems (ABS) are computer systems that prevent your wheels from locking when you apply the brakes hard.

ABS can help keep your vehicle under control during hard braking.

However, ABS can malfunction. Typically, an indicator light will tell you if the system is not working properly.

Even if your ABS goes out, you can still use your normal braking system. Just drive as you normally would, but get your antilock brake system serviced as soon as possible.

ABS is really only designed to help prevent skids, it does not:

• Allow you to drive faster.
• Prevent power or turning skids.
• Shorten stopping distances.
• Increase or decrease stopping power.
• Change the way you normally brake.
• Replace bad brakes.

Drive Wheel Braking Skids

A drive-wheel braking skid is when your rear wheels lose traction or lock through excessive braking or acceleration.

To correct a driver-wheel braking skid:

• Stop braking and allow the rear wheels to begin rolling again.
• Countersteer as the vehicle gets back on course to avoid continuing to skid in the opposite direction.

Mastering this method takes practice and is best done on a large driving range or skid pad.

You can find more information about this topic in the Driving Safely (2) section of your official driver’s handbook.

More CDL Questions & Answers:

Air Brakes Questions & Answers

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