6.3 Large Trucks, Buses & the No-Zones

Why Trucks and Buses Need Special Care

Fully loaded trucks can weigh more than 80,000 pounds and can take the length of a football field to stop. The manual says truck and bus drivers need almost twice as much time and room to stop as cars. Large vehicles also turn wide, accelerate slowly on hills, and have huge blind spots. In any crash between a car and a large truck, the people in the car are at far greater risk.

Turning Trucks

• Trucks make wide turns at intersections and need more space than cars.
• When turning right, large trucks often move left first. You may think the truck is changing lanes and try to pass on its right. Passing any truck on the right can be risky. Wait to see whether the truck is turning before you pass.
• If a truck is stopped at, or approaching, an intersection, never try to cut in along its right side as it begins to turn. You could be trapped between the turning truck and the curb.
• Stop behind the stop line. If you stop past it, your vehicle could be in the way of trucks turning from the cross street.

Passing a Truck

• Pass quickly so you can keep seeing what is happening around you, and do not linger beside the truck.
• Move back into the truck's lane only when you can see both of its headlights in your rear-view mirror.
• After pulling in front, do not slow down.
• Never cut in front of a truck.

Large vehicles also push air. Keep a firm grip on the wheel when passing or being passed, especially in wind.

The No-Zones

There are four large blind spots around trucks and buses, called No-Zones, where other vehicles "disappear" from the driver's view.

The manual's diagram shows the front No-Zone extending roughly 10 to 20 feet ahead of the cab and the rear No-Zone about 200 feet behind the trailer. The key reminder: if you cannot see a truck's mirrors, the truck driver cannot see you.

Following Trucks and Buses

Following too closely is especially dangerous behind a truck: you cannot see past it, and you will have little time if it stops. Leave extra space, at least the 3-to-4-second minimum and more in bad weather, so you can see around it and its driver can see you in the mirrors. Expect buses to stop often, and leave 4 to 5 seconds or more. Buses and trucks carrying hazardous materials must stop at every railroad crossing (see Section 4.4).

Trucks on Hills and Ramps

Heavy trucks slow down on long upgrades and can gain speed on downgrades. Be ready to slow when you come up behind a truck climbing a hill. On ramps and in work zones, give trucks room to merge; they need more space to change lanes.

Sharing the Road With Buses

Transit buses pull in and out of traffic at stops. When a bus signals to pull out, give it room if you can do so safely. Watch for passengers crossing the street in front of or behind a stopped bus. School buses have their own stop law (see Section 6.4).

Scenario Practice

1. A tractor-trailer ahead of you in the right lane signals right and drifts left. It is setting up a wide right turn. Stay back and let it finish; do not pull up on its right.
2. You pass a truck on the highway. Keep going until both of its headlights appear in your rear-view mirror, then signal and move over without slowing.
3. A delivery truck is backing into a loading dock across a parking aisle. Do not walk or drive behind it; wait until it stops.
4. You notice you cannot see the truck's side mirrors. You are in a No-Zone; speed up to pass or drop back.