Key points
Truck blind spots reach up to 20 feet in front of the cab and up to 200 feet behind.
Source: Handbook p. 50
“Blind spots for the tractor-trailer driver will be up to 20 feet in front of the cab, on either side of the trailer, alongside the cab, and up to 200 feet behind the vehicle.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 50If you cannot see a truck driver's rearview mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
Source: Handbook p. 50
“When following behind a tractor- trailer, if you cannot see the driver’s rearview mirrors, the driver cannot see you.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 50Always pass a tractor trailer completely and on the left.
Source: Handbook p. 50
“Always pass a tractor-trailer completely and always on the left side.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 50Watch a truck's turn signals before trying to pass it.
Source: Handbook p. 50
“When following a tractor-trailer, watch its turn signals before trying to pass, especially to the right.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 50Always allow a motorcycle or motor driven cycle the width of a full lane.
Source: Handbook p. 52
“Always allow all motor vehicle operators the width of a full lane.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52Follow a motorcycle by at least 3 or 4 seconds.
Source: Handbook p. 52
“Allow at least three or four seconds when following a motorcycle”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52Pass a bicyclist only with at least 3 feet of room and no danger from oncoming traffic.
Source: Handbook p. 52
“Drivers may pass a bicyclist when there is a safe amount of room beside the bicyclist (minimum three feet) and when there is no danger from oncoming traffic”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52Do not move into a bicycle lane to prepare for a turn.
Source: Handbook p. 53
“Do not move into a bicycle path or lane in preparation for a turn”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 53Approach a horse rider or horse drawn vehicle with caution and watch for hand signals.
Source: Handbook p. 53
“Approach with caution and be alert for any hand signals used by a horseback rider or the driver of a horse-drawn vehicle.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 53The rollover risk of a 15 passenger van rises sharply as more people ride in it.
Source: Handbook p. 42
“The rollover risk of a 15-passenger van increases dramatically as the number of occupants increases.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 42
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 20 and 200 feet | truck blind spots in front of and behind the truck | Handbook p. 50 |
| 3 or 4 seconds | following distance behind a motorcycle | Handbook p. 52 |
| 3 feet | minimum room when passing a bicyclist | Handbook p. 52 |
| 2 abreast | most bicyclists may ride side by side on regular roads | Handbook p. 52 |
| 15 passengers | van size with sharply higher rollover risk when full | Handbook p. 42 |
Recognize these signs
Slow moving vehicle
3 questions from the Indiana practice test
1. When following a tractor-trailer, what should you do if you cannot see its rearview mirrors?
- Move closer so the driver notices you
- Turn on high beams and stay behind it
- Pass immediately on the right
- Maintain or increase your following distance
Show answer
Maintain or increase your following distance. If the truck’s rearview mirrors are not visible, the truck driver cannot see your vehicle. Increasing space gives you a cushion if the larger vehicle brakes suddenly or if something appears in the roadway. Closing the gap removes reaction time, while passing on the right creates another hazard beside a vehicle with large blind spots. High beams do not solve the visibility problem. Use the mirror check as a practical cue: if you cannot see the truck’s mirrors, back out of its blind area.
2. How should a driver approach a person riding a horse or operating a horse-drawn vehicle?
- Use the horn to make the rider turn
- Pass closely to avoid delaying traffic
- Approach with caution and watch for hand signals
- Assume the rider must always yield
Show answer
Approach with caution and watch for hand signals. A horseback rider or horse-drawn vehicle deserves the same roadway respect as a motor vehicle. Approach cautiously and watch for hand signals, since the rider may communicate a turn or other movement without ordinary vehicle signals. Passing closely can startle the animal, and using the horn may create an unsafe reaction. The rider does not automatically lose the right to use the road. Slow down, leave room, and read the rider’s signals before proceeding.
3. How far may a fully loaded tractor trailer with hot brakes need to stop, according to Indiana's manual?
- About 140 feet
- About 200 feet
- About 50 feet
- More than 400 feet
Show answer
More than 400 feet. A fully loaded tractor trailer with hot brakes may take more than 400 feet to come to a complete stop, more than the length of a football field, compared with about 130 to 140 feet for a car at 55 mph. Cutting in front of a truck and braking leaves it no room. Trucks also swing wide on turns because the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with safe driving questions from the free Indiana practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.