Trucks and buses

By the end of this topic you can

• You can name the four main no-zones around a large truck.
• You can pass a truck quickly on the left and return to your lane with a safe gap.
• You can recognize when a truck or bus is making a wide right turn and stay out of the way.
• You can leave extra following distance behind large vehicles.

What you need to know and understand

• If you cannot see a truck driver's face in their side mirror, the driver cannot see you.
• The no-zones are directly in front, directly behind, and along both sides, where the blind spots are much bigger than a car's.
• Large vehicles need much more distance to stop. California's handbook says a car at 55 mph stops within about 300 feet, while a large vehicle can need up to 400 feet.
• Trucks and buses often swing left before turning right, leaving a gap on the right that looks open but is not.
• Pass large vehicles on the left where possible, and do not linger beside them.
• Buses, school buses and vehicles carrying hazardous materials are required to stop at railroad crossings in many states: expect them to stop.

The no-zones around a big rig

Use the mirror test: if you can see the driver in their mirror, they have a chance of seeing you. If you cannot, move forward or drop back until you can.

• Front: cutting in close in front of a truck leaves it no room to stop if you brake.
• Rear: if you follow too closely, the driver cannot see you and you cannot see past the truck.
• Left side: a blind area runs along the cab and trailer.
• Right side: another deep blind area along the cab and trailer. A truck turning right may also swing left first, so never squeeze in on its right.

Passing and being passed

When a truck passes you, keep to the right side of your lane and ease off slightly so it can get by. On downhill grades, trucks can pick up speed; on uphill grades they often slow sharply, so watch for them.

1. Check that the road ahead is clear and you have room to complete the pass.
2. Signal and move into the left lane: always pass a large vehicle on its left side, not the right.
3. Pass steadily without hanging alongside the trailer.
4. Wait until you can see the whole front of the truck in your rearview mirror before moving back.
5. Signal, return to your lane and keep your speed up: do not slow down in front of the truck.

Wide turns and buses pulling out

A long vehicle needs extra space to turn. When a truck or bus signals right and swings left, do not try to slip into the gap on its right. That space can close in seconds, trapping your car against the curb.

City and school buses stop often. Leave space behind them, watch for passengers walking around the front, and be ready to let a bus pull back into traffic. Some states have specific rules for yielding to transit buses: check your state manual.

Common mistakes

• Cutting in front of a truck and braking: leave a large gap before moving back in.
• Driving alongside a trailer for a long time: pass quickly or drop back.
• Squeezing into the space on the right of a turning truck: wait behind it.
• Tailgating a truck: you cannot see the road ahead and the driver cannot see you.
• Stopping too close behind a truck on a hill: it may roll back slightly when moving off.

Test yourself: Trucks and buses

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

Go deeper

• Truck No-Zones, Bike Passing and Motorcycles