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 | bicyclists may not ride more than this many side by side, except on paths or roadway parts set aside for bicycles | 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 does occupancy affect the rollover risk of a 15-passenger van, according to Indiana's manual?
- Occupancy has no effect
- More passengers lower the center of gravity and reduce risk
- The risk increases dramatically as the number of occupants increases
- Only cargo weight matters
Show answer
The risk increases dramatically as the number of occupants increases. The rollover risk of a 15 passenger van increases dramatically as the number of occupants increases. Other risks include inexperienced drivers, improperly sized or inflated tires, and incorrectly loaded cargo or passengers that could affect the vehicle's center of gravity. The manual advises slowing down on curves and ramps, where advisory speeds are provided, and not exceeding those advisory speeds. More passengers make the van less stable, not safer, and cargo weight is only one of several listed factors.
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.