Trucks and buses

By the end of this topic you can

• You can identify the main blind spots around a truck or bus.
• You can stay clear of long vehicles that are turning.
• You can overtake a truck safely and leave room when returning.
• You can give way to buses when the rules require it.

What you need to know and understand

• If you cannot see the truck driver's face in their side mirror, they probably cannot see you.
• Long vehicles may use more than one lane to turn and may display a 'do not overtake turning vehicle' sign.
• You must not pass on the side a long vehicle displaying that sign is turning towards while it is turning.
• In a built-up area, you must give way to a bus pulling out from a stop when it displays a give way to buses sign and is signalling.
• Heavy vehicles take much longer to stop, so never cut in close in front of them.
• Outside built-up areas, long vehicles generally keep at least 60 metres behind other long vehicles, which leaves gaps for cars to overtake one at a time.

The no-zones around a truck

Pass through these zones quickly and do not sit in them.

• Directly in front, close to the cab: the driver may look straight over you.
• Directly behind: you cannot be seen and you cannot see ahead.
• Alongside, especially on the passenger (left) side and just behind the cab.
• In the swing area of a turning truck.

Turning trucks and buses

A long vehicle turning left may first move to the right, or straddle lanes, to get its trailer around the corner. Do not try to squeeze through the gap on its left. Stay well back behind the stop line and wait until it has finished.

The rear of a long vehicle can also swing out as it turns, so do not stop close to the corner it is turning into.

Overtaking a heavy vehicle

1. Drop back so you can see past and so the driver can see you in their mirrors.
2. Check that you have a long, clear road ahead; trucks take longer to pass.
3. Signal, move out and pass without lingering beside the truck.
4. Return only when you can see the whole front of the truck in your inside mirror.
5. Expect some wind buffeting as you pass and keep a firm grip.

Common mistakes

• Squeezing up the inside of a truck that is swinging wide to turn left.
• Cutting in front of a truck and then braking.
• Tailgating a truck, which hides everything ahead of you.
• Not letting a bus pull out from a stop in a built-up area.

Test yourself: Trucks and buses

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Sharing the Road with Trucks, Buses and Road Trains in Australia