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Long trailers offtrack—their rear wheels follow a tighter path than the tractor. To avoid clipping curbs, poles, or pedestrians, professional drivers use a buttonhook technique: keep the trailer rear close to the curb on approach, allow the tractor to pull deeper into the intersection, and then steer late so the trailer tracks inside without cutting the corner. “Swinging wide” into adjacent lanes (or oncoming lanes) before the turn can confuse or endanger motorists who may try to pass on the right, creating squeeze-play collisions. Simply tracking the tractor near the curb ignores offtracking geometry and risks striking fixed objects. CDL combination-vehicle objectives stress planning the turn, using mirrors effectively, controlling speed, and maintaining lane discipline. Executing a proper buttonhook protects vulnerable road users, preserves vehicle and infrastructure, and demonstrates the spatial awareness and mirror use evaluated during on-road skills testing for combination vehicles.

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