Lesson 7 · Trucks, bikes and buses
Where are a truck's blind spots?
Short answer
Large trucks have big blind spots, called no-zones, along both sides, right behind, and right in front. If you cannot see the driver in their mirror, they cannot see you.
Watch it play out
How to do it
- Do not drive alongside a truck for long.
- Pass on the left, where the driver can see you better.
- Before moving back in front, wait until you see the truck's whole front in your rearview mirror.
- Do not follow closely behind; the driver cannot see you and you cannot see ahead.
Why the rule works this way
A truck driver sits high and cannot see small cars beside or close behind the trailer. Trucks also need far more room to stop.
Common mistakes
- Cutting in right in front of a truck.
- Riding in the blind spot on the right side.
Questions people ask
How long does a truck take to stop?
Much longer than a car. At 55 mph, a large truck can need a third to a half more distance to stop than a car.