Lorries, buses and trams

By the end of this topic you can

• You can keep out of a large vehicle's blind spots.
• You can hang back and give room when a long vehicle turns.
• You can give priority to buses pulling away from stops when it is safe.
• You can recognise tram lanes and keep off reserved tram routes.
• You can overtake a large vehicle only when you have a clear view and enough room.

What you need to know and understand

• Large vehicles may need extra road space to turn or to deal with a hazard you cannot see.
• If you are following a large vehicle, the driver may not be able to see you in their mirrors.
• Drop back from a large vehicle to improve your view ahead and help its driver see you.
• Give priority to buses, coaches and trams when it is safe, especially when they signal to pull away from a stop.
• Do not enter a road, lane or route reserved for trams. Trams cannot steer around you.
• Always give way to trams, and do not race, overtake or pass them on the inside except at a stop or in a designated tram lane.
• Tram-only signs and white light signals are for tram drivers, not for you.

Blind spots and turning room

A lorry driver may not be able to see a car directly behind, beside the cab on the passenger side, or just in front. A useful rule of thumb is that if you cannot see the driver's mirrors, the driver probably cannot see you. Drop back so you are visible and so you can see more of the road ahead.

Long vehicles often move out to the right before turning left, or straddle lanes at junctions and roundabouts. Do not try to squeeze past on the inside. Wait until the vehicle has completed its turn.

• Do: keep a bigger gap behind lorries and buses.
• Do: stop at the first line at advanced stop lines so riders and drivers can see each other.
• Do not: overtake a large vehicle unless you can see far enough ahead and have room to complete the move.
• Do not: cut in sharply after overtaking. Leave the driver room to brake.

Buses and bus stops

When a bus signals to pull out from a stop, let it go if you safely can. Watch for passengers who have just got off and may walk out in front of or behind the bus. Drive slowly past stopped buses and do not park at or near a bus stop.

Bus lanes are marked with signs showing their hours. Do not drive in them during those hours unless the signs allow your vehicle.

Sharing roads with trams

1. Look for tram lanes, which may be marked by white lines, yellow dots or a different road surface.
2. Keep off reserved tram routes and avoid driving on the rails.
3. Remember trams are quiet and quick, and cannot steer around you.
4. Do not park where you would block the tracks or make others go onto them.
5. At a tram stop without a platform, do not drive between a stopped tram and the left kerb, and do not overtake it unless a route is signed.
6. Watch for people, especially children, running to catch a tram.

Common mistakes

• Sitting just behind or beside a lorry where its driver cannot see you. Drop back.
• Undertaking a lorry that has swung right to turn left. Wait behind it.
• Pulling out round a bus at a stop without looking for pedestrians. Go slowly and look.
• Driving along tram rails or stopping on them. Keep clear unless markings allow it.
• Overtaking a long vehicle without enough clear road. If in doubt, don't.

Test yourself: Lorries, buses and trams

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

Go deeper

• Driving Near Lorries and Buses
• Tram Rules for Drivers