Anthony LaFaziaCEO, Atlantic Training · CEO at Atlantic Training | EdTech & Safety Compliance Leader

Before You Drive It: Safe Handling Practices for Dealership Vehicles

24 Jul 2026 · 3 min

Watch on YouTube

2:36

The video provides practical safety training for dealership staff who operate vehicles on the lot, in the shop, or during test drives. It walks viewers through a pre‑drive checklist that starts with locating the electronic parking brake and identifying the gear‑shift mechanism, then moves to ergonomic adjustments such as seat position, pedal reach, and mirror alignment. The speaker stresses the importance of buckling up for every vehicle movement, regardless of distance, and highlights the need to understand modern vehicle technologies—lane‑assist, automatic braking, and varying throttle responses—especially when handling high‑performance or heavy‑duty models. Professionalism is underscored by treating customer‑owned cars with the same care as a glass object, avoiding reckless acceleration, and respecting the vehicle’s value. A brief interlude promotes Atlantic Training’s Wave EHS software, which bundles safety training, incident tracking, SDS records, and employee progress monitoring, offered free with a training plan.

Chapters

All right, first up, let's talk about the actual act of getting behind the wheel. In the car business, unfamiliar is your baseline. You might be moving a demo with dealer plates. Taking a customer on a test drive, or pulling a service vehicle into the bay. Before you even put the car in gear, you've got to do a pre-flight check. I know you're in a hurry, but listen, every car's different. First, check the basics. Where's the electronic parking brake? Is it a dial shifter, a stalk, or a traditional stick? There's nothing more embarrassing or dangerous than looking for a gear shift while the car is rolling. Next, adjust your environment. Trust me on this. Your back and the fenders will thank you.
Watching training is great, but tracking it is better. At Atlantic Training, we offer this course and hundreds more built directly into our Wave EHS software. Manage incident investigations, SDS records, and employee progress all in one place. The best part? The software comes free when you choose your training plan. We keep you audit ready so you can focus on the job. Click the link below to build your plan.
Adjust the seat so you can reach the pedals fully and set your mirrors. You're often moving through tight spots on the lot or in the shop, so your visibility needs to be 100%. Don't forget to buckle up. Seat belts are your primary defense. This applies to any movement on or near public roads, even short hops between lot sections. And let's talk about that new car feel. Modern vehicles have sensitive tech— lane assist, auto braking, and different throttle responses. If you're hopping into a high-performance model or a heavy-duty truck, give yourself a second to feel out the weight and the brakes. If you're moving a customer's car, Treat it like glass. They're trusting us with what is often one of the most expensive assets. No testing the 0 to 60 on the way to the wash bay. Professionalism starts the moment you grab the keys.