Vehicle Handling Safety
Written by Jon Vorisek | Reviewed for accuracy by Lawrence Valerio on January 11, 2026
In the often hectic environment of an auto repair shop, or even your own driveway, the movement of vehicles should be handled in a deliberate, controlled manner.
Precautions for vehicles in motion
According to AMTrust, when driving through repair shop areas, five miles per hour is the maximum acceptable speed. Make sure the headlights are on when driving in the interior of the shop.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially in the direction the vehicle is moving. Avoid distractions like having a conversation or listening to the radio when moving a vehicle.
To avoid the possibility of tipping a vehicle over, never drive across a slope. Always drive up or down slopes. As a passenger, never ride in the bed of a pickup truck.
Follow all traffic laws when test-driving vehicles on the road.
Precautions for stopped vehicles
Never approach a vehicle until it's stopped completely. Before leaving a vehicle in a parking or storage area, make sure the parking brake is engaged, and consider chocking the wheels (especially for larger vehicles).
Jon Vorisek is the Founder and CEO of Repair Surge, which provides OEM-based repair information to DIY mechanics and professional service technicians. He has a passion for creating software that helps people fix cars safely and effectively.
Lawrence Valerio is an ASE Master Automobile Technician and an experienced shop manager. He started working on cars at seven years old while learning from his father. He enjoys spending time under the hood and training others in the skills needed to work on today's vehicles.