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Home›Courses›Driver & Fleet Safety›Winter Safety: Safe Driving Practices

Winter Safety: Safe Driving Practices

25 minutesEN / ES / MLCCDriver & Fleet SafetyOSHA General Duty Clause - Section 5(a)(1); FMCSA adverse weather driving requirements
Quick Answer

Winter Safety: Safe Driving Practices is a 25-minute online course that trains employees on safe driving techniques for snow, ice, and cold-weather conditions. It is designed for any employee who drives as part of their job duties and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Winter driving conditions are responsible for roughly 1,300 fatalities and over 116,800 injuries on U.S. roads each year, according to the Federal Highway Administration. For employers with workers who drive company vehicles, make deliveries, or travel between job sites, a single winter weather accident can result in workers' compensation claims, vehicle damage, and lost productivity. OSHA's General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a workplace free of recognized hazards, and that obligation extends to employees who drive as part of their work responsibilities.

This course prepares your employees to recognize and respond to winter driving hazards before they lead to accidents. Topics include vehicle preparation for cold weather, techniques for maintaining control on ice and snow, proper following distances in reduced-visibility conditions, and what to do if stranded during a winter storm. Your team will learn practical skid recovery methods, how to read road conditions, and the importance of pre-trip inspections during winter months.

What You'll Learn

  • Pre-trip vehicle inspections for winter readiness, including tires, brakes, and fluid levels
  • Techniques for maintaining vehicle control on ice, snow, and slush-covered roads
  • Skid recognition and recovery methods for front-wheel and rear-wheel skids
  • Safe following distances and speed adjustments for reduced traction and visibility
  • Emergency preparedness and survival procedures if stranded in a winter storm
  • Bridge, overpass, and shaded area hazards where black ice commonly forms
  • Windshield and visibility management during snow, sleet, and freezing rain

Who Needs This Training

  • Delivery drivers and couriers operating in regions with winter weather
  • Field service technicians who travel between job sites in company vehicles
  • Sales representatives and other employees who drive for business purposes
  • Fleet managers responsible for driver training and vehicle readiness programs
  • Supervisors who assign driving duties during winter months
  • Warehouse and logistics workers who operate vehicles in outdoor loading areas

Regulatory Background

While no single federal OSHA standard mandates winter driving training specifically, OSHA's General Duty Clause - Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act - requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Employers who require employees to drive in winter conditions without adequate training and vehicle preparation can face General Duty Clause citations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial motor vehicle drivers to exercise caution under adverse conditions, and DOT regulations hold carriers responsible for ensuring drivers are qualified to operate safely. The National Safety Council reports that weather-related crashes cost employers billions annually in insurance premiums, vehicle repairs, and lost work time. Employers should conduct winter driving refresher training annually before the onset of cold weather season.

Frequently Asked Questions

OSHA does not have a specific standard for winter driving, but the General Duty Clause - Section 5(a)(1) - requires employers to address recognized hazards in the workplace. If your employees drive in winter conditions as part of their duties, OSHA expects you to provide appropriate training and safety measures. FMCSA regulations also require commercial carriers to ensure drivers can operate safely under adverse conditions.
The correct recovery technique depends on the type of skid. For a rear-wheel skid, turn the steering wheel in the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding and avoid braking. For a front-wheel skid, ease off the accelerator and avoid turning the wheel until traction returns. In vehicles with anti-lock braking systems (ABS), maintain steady brake pressure rather than pumping the pedal.
Employers should begin winter driving preparation at least 4 to 6 weeks before the expected onset of cold weather. This includes scheduling vehicle winterization (tires, batteries, fluid checks, emergency kit placement), delivering refresher training to all drivers, and reviewing company policies on driving in adverse conditions, including when to delay or cancel trips.
Employees should stay with the vehicle, which provides shelter and makes them easier to locate. They should run the engine intermittently for heat while ensuring the exhaust pipe is clear of snow to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Employees should turn on hazard lights, conserve phone battery, and avoid leaving the vehicle unless safety shelter is visible nearby. Employers should equip fleet vehicles with winter emergency kits containing blankets, water, food, a flashlight, and a first aid kit.
This course provides general winter driving safety awareness that supports compliance with FMCSA requirements for driver training under adverse conditions. However, it does not replace the formal entry-level driver training (ELDT) requirements for CDL holders. Employers should use this course as a supplemental refresher alongside their FMCSA-compliant driver qualification program.

Related Courses

Employers building a comprehensive fleet safety program often pair this course with Driving Safety: Hazardous Weather for broader adverse-conditions coverage and General Safety: Safe Driving Basics to reinforce year-round defensive driving skills.

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$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95
Language

This course is available in English, Spanish, and Multi-Language CC at no additional charge.

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

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$24.95
per person