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District of Columbia driving lesson · Sharing the Road

Truck & bus no-zones

A 3-minute lesson from the District of Columbia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Sharing the Road
Checkpoint questions
3
Source pages
36, 37, 38

Trucks and buses have large blind spots, called no-zones, on every side. If you can't see the driver, the driver can't see you.

20 feet

Truck blind spot in front of the cab

Handbook p. 36 ↗
200 feet

Truck blind spot behind the trailer

Handbook p. 36 ↗

Know the rule

Following a truck, stay out of its blind spots. Position yourself so the driver can see you in the side mirrors; you'll get a better view ahead and more warning of stops and turns.

Handbook p. 36 ↗

Know the rule

Following a truck at night, always dim your headlights. Bright lights reflect off the large side mirrors and blind the driver.

Handbook p. 37 ↗

Know the rule

Stopped behind a truck on an upgrade, leave space in front in case it drifts back when starting. Keep to the left in your lane so the driver can see you.

Handbook p. 37 ↗

No-zones

No-zones
ZoneWhat to do
SideCan't see driver's face in mirror? They can't see you
RearDon't tailgate; the driver can't see you there
FrontDon't cut in; trucks need ~twice the room to stop
BackingNever cross behind a truck that is backing up
Handbook p. 37 ↗

Common mistakes around trucks:

  • Cutting off a truck to reach your exit or turn; slow down and exit behind it
  • Lingering alongside when passing; pass completely, and always on the left
  • Following too close; if you can't see the truck's mirrors, the driver can't see you
  • Underestimating a tractor-trailer's size and speed; it often looks slower than it is
Handbook p. 37 ↗

Know the rule

Many car-truck collisions happen at intersections because the car driver doesn't realize how close the truck is or how quickly it is approaching.

Handbook p. 38 ↗

Put it into practice

You're cruising beside a tractor-trailer's cab and can't see the driver's face in its side mirror. You're in the side no-zone. Either pass completely on the left or drop back until you can see the mirrors.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

How far in front of a truck's cab, and how far behind, do truck blind spots ('no-zones') typically extend?
  1. 5 feet in front and 20 feet behind
  2. About 20 feet ahead, 200 feet behind
  3. 10 feet ahead and 100 feet behind
  4. 50 feet in front and 50 feet behind

Answer: About 20 feet ahead, 200 feet behind

Truck no-zones extend roughly 20 feet in front of the cab and up to 200 feet behind the trailer.

Handbook p. 36 ↗
If you cannot see a truck driver's face in their side mirror, what does that mean?
  1. The truck driver cannot see you either
  2. The driver can see you in the other mirror
  3. The truck is about to change lanes
  4. You are following at a safe distance

Answer: The truck driver cannot see you either

If you can't see the truck driver's face in the mirror, the truck driver cannot see your vehicle.

Handbook p. 37 ↗
Why should you avoid cutting in closely in front of a truck after passing it?
  1. It is only a courtesy issue
  2. Trucks need nearly double the stopping room
  3. Trucks speed up faster than cars
  4. It blocks the truck driver's view of signs

Answer: Trucks need nearly double the stopping room

Cutting in front too soon removes the truck's stopping cushion; trucks need almost twice the stopping room of cars.

Handbook p. 37 ↗
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