Photo: formulanone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Trucks and buses have large blind spots, called no-zones, on all four sides: if you cannot see the driver in their side mirror, they cannot see you. Bicycles need room when you pass (at least three feet in California), and motorcycles are entitled to a full lane. This guide covers what US permit tests and handbooks expect when you share the road with trucks, motorcycles and bicycles.
Key facts
- Truck no-zones are in front, behind and along both sides (FMCSA).
- A large truck at 55 mph can take up to 400 feet to stop, compared with about 300 feet for a car (California).
- California requires at least three feet when passing a bicyclist. New York requires a safe distance.
- Never share a lane with a motorcycle (California, New York).
- Lane splitting is legal in California and Minnesota. Arizona and Utah allow limited lane filtering. Other states differ.
Large trucks and buses: where are the no-zones?
| No-zone | Why it is dangerous | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Directly in front | The driver sits high and cannot see a car that cuts in close. Trucks need more distance to stop. | After passing, leave plenty of room before you pull in front. |
| Directly behind | New York says large vehicles have deep blind spots behind them. If you are rear-ended, you could be pushed under the truck. | Stay well back. New York suggests at least three to four seconds when following a large truck. |
| Both sides | The side blind spots are large, and the driver may not see you when changing lanes or turning. | Do not linger beside a truck. Pass steadily or drop back. |
California’s rule of thumb: if you cannot see the truck’s side mirrors, the truck driver cannot see you.
Passing a truck
- Pass on the left. California says always pass a large vehicle on the left side.
- Check that you can see the driver in their mirror, then signal.
- Move over and pass promptly. Do not hang alongside.
- Leave plenty of space before pulling back in front. FMCSA warns that cutting in close is risky because trucks need much more room to stop.
FMCSA advises avoiding passing on a downgrade, where trucks gain speed.
Wide right turns
Trucks and buses often swing left before turning right. Never squeeze between a turning truck and the curb. Wait until it finishes the turn.
Bicycles: how much room do you need to pass?
- California: at least three feet between your vehicle and the bicyclist. If you cannot give three feet, wait. You may need to change lanes to pass.
- New York: pass on the left at a safe distance until you have cleared the bicycle.
- Other states: each state sets its own rule. Check your state handbook.
Bike lanes
Bike lanes are usually marked with a solid white line and bike symbols, and some use green paint where bikes and cars cross paths. California lets you enter a bike lane only to park where allowed, to enter or leave the road, or to turn within 200 feet of an intersection.
Turning across a bicyclist
- Before a right turn, check your mirror and blind spot for bikes coming up on your right.
- Do not pass a bicyclist and then turn right in front of them.
- Check for bikes before opening your door when parked.
Motorcycles
- A motorcycle is entitled to a full lane. Never try to pass a motorcycle in the same lane (California). Never move into the same lane space as a motorcycle, even if it is to one side (New York).
- Keep at least a three-second following distance (California).
- Give more room on metal surfaces, gravel and railroad tracks, where riders may need to adjust.
- Look twice before turning left. Motorcycles are small and hard to judge, and harder to see at night.
Is lane splitting legal?
Lane splitting means a motorcycle riding between lanes of moving or slow traffic. Lane filtering means riding between stopped vehicles. The law varies by state:
| State | Rule (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| California | Lane splitting is legal. The handbook says it is legal to share lanes with motorcycles. |
| Minnesota | Lane splitting and filtering legal since July 1, 2025, with speed limits on the rider and bans in roundabouts, school zones, single-lane work zones and on freeway on-ramps. |
| Arizona | Filtering past stopped vehicles allowed since 2022 on roads with two or more lanes each way and a speed limit of 45 mph or less, with the rider going no faster than 15 mph. |
| Utah | Filtering between stopped vehicles allowed on roads with two or more lanes each way and a speed limit of 45 mph or less, with the rider at 15 mph or less. The law is due to expire on July 1, 2027 unless renewed. |
| Other states | Check your state handbook or motorcycle manual. |
As a driver, in any state: do not block or swerve at a motorcycle that is splitting or filtering. Check mirrors before changing lanes in slow traffic.
Common questions
How do I know if I am in a truck’s blind spot?
If you cannot see the driver’s face, or the truck’s side mirrors, from where you are, assume the driver cannot see you.
Do I have to give a cyclist three feet in every state?
No single national rule exists. California requires three feet. New York requires a safe distance. Check your state.
Why does a truck drift left before turning right?
It needs the room to make the turn. Stay back and do not fill the gap on its right.
How long does a truck take to stop?
Much longer than a car. California says a large vehicle at 55 mph can take up to 400 feet, and FMCSA says trucks at highway speed can need up to the length of two football fields.
Related: freeway driving for new drivers, pedestrians and crosswalks and move over laws. All national guides: learning to drive in the USA.
Sources
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “Our Roads, Our Safety: Tips for Driving Safely Around Large Trucks and Buses” (fmcsa.dot.gov)
- California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook, Sections 6, 7 and 8” (dmv.ca.gov)
- New York DMV, “Driver’s Manual” (dmv.ny.gov)
- Minnesota Department of Public Safety, “Lane splitting, filtering to begin in Minnesota” (dps.mn.gov)
- Arizona State Legislature, “Laws 2022, Chapter 42 (SB 1273): two-wheeled motorcycle operation” (azleg.gov)
- Utah Department of Public Safety, “Lane Filtering” (ridetolive.utah.gov); Utah Legislature, “Lane Filtering Sunset Review” (le.utah.gov)
- Federal Highway Administration, “MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 3H.06 Green-Colored Pavement for Bicycle Facilities” (mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov)