A 3-minute lesson from the Maine course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Trucks and buses are big, heavy and slow to stop, and their drivers can't see large areas around them. Staying out of those blind spots, the No-Zones, is the key to sharing the road with them.
When a large vehicle is behind you, leave plenty of space ahead of you. Never pass or pull in front of a large vehicle that is already slowing or stopping; it has planned its braking on that space.
To turn right, large vehicles often must swing left first to clear the curb or objects like a telephone pole. Watch their position and signals, and don't drive into their turning path.
Don't drive alongside a large vehicle any longer than you must. After passing, pull back in only when you can see the whole front of the vehicle in your rearview mirror.
Side No-Zones: a truck's biggest blind spot is on the right
Put it into practice
You're cruising beside a tractor-trailer's right side, just behind the cab, and can't see the driver's face in his mirror. You're in his largest blind spot. Drop back or pass it promptly on the left.
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.
About how far can a large truck or bus's rear blind spot, or No-Zone, extend?
Up to 500 feet
Up to 20 feet
Up to 200 feet
Up to 1,000 feet
Answer: Up to 200 feet
Large vehicles have huge blind spots behind them, up to 200 feet.
