Sharing the road with large commercial trucks can feel intimidating, especially for new drivers. Trucks are much heavier and longer than passenger cars, meaning they take longer to stop, have wider turning paths, and have larger blind spots. These factors make it critical to understand how to pass trucks safely and avoid common mistakes when driving on a multi lane road.
In this guide, we’ll cover key safety tips for overtaking heavy vehicles and explain what you should never do alongside a truck to keep yourself and others safe on the road.
Here’s What You Should Not Do Alongside a Truck When Passing
Avoid Rushed or Unsafe Overtaking
Passing any vehicle requires caution, but extra care is needed when passing a heavy vehicle like a truck. Trucks are slower to respond, and hasty moves can have serious consequences. To overtake safely:
- Signal well in advance before changing lanes.
- Maintain a steady speed and don’t accelerate erratically.
- Ensure the truck driver can see you before overtaking. Avoid driving directly behind the truck or lingering in blind spots.
- After passing, wait until you can see the entire truck in your rear-view mirror before merging back into the left lane.
- If a truck is overtaking you, slow down slightly to give them space to pass safely.
Never cut in too closely or misjudge the speed and size of the truck. On highways, consider reading our highway driving safety tips to better prepare for long-distance travel around trucks.
Keep a Safe Following Distance
Trucks block your view of the road ahead and take longer to brake. Following too closely directly behind the truck is extremely dangerous. Always:
- Stay at least 4 seconds behind heavy vehicles to maintain a safe distance.
- Increase your distance in bad weather or low visibility.
- If you can’t see the truck’s side mirrors, the truck driver likely can’t see you.
Tailgating is not only dangerous but also illegal in NSW. You can read more about the specific tailgating laws and penalties to understand the consequences of driving too closely behind a heavy vehicle.
Never Pass a Truck During Wide Turns
Heavy vehicles need extra room to make wide turns, especially in urban areas and intersections. Attempting to pass when they’re turning is one of the most dangerous mistakes a driver can make. Keep in mind:
- Never try to overtake a truck when it’s signalling or turning.
- Stay back and allow the heavy vehicle enough space to complete its manoeuvre safely.
- Watch for vehicles that may swing wide before turning right — they often display the Overtake Turning Vehicle sign to warn road users.
Avoid Impatient or Aggressive Driving
Driving around trucks and other heavy vehicles requires patience. Aggressive behaviour can quickly lead to dangerous situations. Avoid:
- Abrupt lane changes, especially in front of trucks, as this limits their braking time.
- Speeding past trucks above the speed limit, especially in traffic or poor road conditions.
- Weaving through multiple lanes to get ahead of overtaking long vehicles.
- Ignoring signage, such as when to use a bus lane or which lane overtaking vehicles should use.
Learning the dos and don’ts of merging lanes can help you avoid abrupt or unsafe movements near large vehicles.
Never Drive Under the Influence
Driving near trucks requires full awareness. Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or even severe fatigue impacts judgment and increases your risk of misjudging distances or speeds, especially around multi lane road setups or areas with high heavy vehicle traffic.
If you’re not alert, let someone else drive or wait until you’re capable of handling your vehicle responsibly — especially when sharing roads with heavy vehicles travelling in the same direction.
Expert Lessons from LTrent Driving School
Driving safely alongside trucks and other heavy vehicles takes more than just basic skills — it requires good judgment and proper training. At LTrent Driving School, our instructors can teach you:
- How to pass trucks and other overtaking long vehicles with confidence
- How to navigate a bus lane and bicycle lane safely around trucks
- How to manage safe distances and avoid blind spots
- How to apply defensive driving strategies under real road conditions
Just like trucks, cyclists need special care on the road. Check out our tips on driving safely with cyclists to build your confidence around vulnerable road users.
We also offer the Safer Drivers Course to help you become a confident, hazard-aware driver.
Book your driving lessons today or call us at (02) 8748 4500 to get started!
FAQs
How do I know when it’s safe to pass a truck?
Make sure you have a clear view of the road ahead, stay within the speed limit, and signal early. Only pass when you’re confident there’s enough space on a multi lane road to complete the manoeuvre safely.
Why are truck blind spots so dangerous?
Trucks have large blind zones on both sides, in front, and directly behind the truck. If you stay in those spots, the truck driver may not know you’re there, increasing the risk of a collision. Our guide on what blind spots are in driving explains how to stay visible and safe.
Can I pass a truck on the left side?
In most situations, it is safer to pass trucks on the right unless the left lane is a designated overtaking lane. Be especially cautious in a bus lane or bicycle lane where signage and restrictions apply.
How far back should I stay when following a truck?
You should maintain a minimum four-second following distance behind a truck, more in wet weather. Avoid sitting directly behind the truck where you can’t see its mirrors or surrounding traffic.
