California DMV Permit Test (Class C)Safe Driving PracticesMedium
You are driving on a freeway and notice a large truck in the lane next to you. To ensure your safety and the truck driver's visibility, where should you avoid driving for extended periods?
- AAhead of the truck, ensuring you can see its headlights in your rearview mirror.
- BParallel to the truck's cab in the adjacent lane.
- CDirectly behind the truck, maintaining a safe following distance.
- DIn front of the truck, at least 20 feet ahead.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Parallel to the truck's cab in the adjacent lane.
Large trucks have significant blind spots, often called 'no-zones,' on both sides, directly behind, and directly in front. Driving parallel to a truck's cab places you squarely in one of these side blind spots, making you invisible to the truck driver.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Being ahead of the truck, where you can see its headlights, means you are out of its front blind spot.
- C. While directly behind a truck is also a no-zone, maintaining a safe following distance allows the truck driver to see you in their mirrors.
- D. 20 feet in front of a truck is still too close; large trucks require much more stopping distance than passenger vehicles.
Truck No-Zones
Areas around large trucks where the driver has limited or no visibility.
- Side no-zones extend along the entire length of the trailer.
- Rear no-zones extend up to 200 feet behind the truck.
- Front no-zones extend up to 20 feet in front of the cab.
Memory trick: Don't get lost in the truck's invisible zone, stay where you're known.