Trucks, Motorcycles, Bicyclists and Pedestrians

Key points

1. In crashes with large trucks, car occupants suffer 78 percent of the deaths, so use extra caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “sustain 78 percent of fatalities. In order to keep yourself and your passengers safe, use extra caution”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 57

2. If you cannot see the truck driver in the truck's mirror, the driver cannot see you.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “If you can’t see the truck driver in the truck’s mirror, the truck driver can’t see you.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 57

3. After passing a truck, look for its front in your mirror before pulling in.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “When passing, look for the front of the truck in your rearview mirror before pulling in front”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 57

4. Follow a motorcycle by at least 3 to 4 seconds.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “When driving behind a motorcycle, allow at least a 3-4 second following distance.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 58

5. When passing a motorcycle, give it a full lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “When passing a motorcycle, allow a full lane for the motorcycle; never crowd into the same lane as the cycle.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 58

6. When passing a bicyclist, change lanes completely, giving the rider the entire lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “When passing bicyclists, you must completely change lanes, giving the bicyclist the entire lane like you would with any other vehicle.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 58

7. Never pass a vehicle stopped or slowing for a pedestrian.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “Never pass another vehicle that has stopped or is slowing down for a pedestrian.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 58

8. Look carefully beside and behind you for bicyclists before crossing a bike lane to turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “must look carefully beside and behind their vehicle for bicyclists and cross with care.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 17

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Iowa practice test

1. 1. If you cannot see the driver of a large truck in its mirror, what should you assume?

   1. The truck must yield immediately
   2. The truck driver is signaling you to pass
   3. You are outside every truck blind spot
   4. The truck driver cannot see you
   Show answer

   The truck driver cannot see you. Large trucks have no-zones at the front, back, and sides. The manual gives a simple visibility test: if you cannot see the truck driver in the truck's mirror, that driver cannot see you. The signal choice invents permission to pass, and being unable to see the driver is evidence of a blind spot, not proof that you are clear. Increase space and change position only when the maneuver is safe. Avoid lingering beside or directly behind the truck.

2. 2. When passing a large truck, when should the passing driver move back into the original lane?

   1. Immediately after pulling alongside the truck
   2. As soon as the passing vehicle's front bumper reaches the truck's cab
   3. Before the truck appears in the side mirror
   4. After seeing the front of the truck being passed in the rearview mirror and clearing it well
   Show answer

   After seeing the front of the truck being passed in the rearview mirror and clearing it well. The manual gives a visibility check for returning after a pass: see the front of the passed vehicle in the rearview mirror and make sure your vehicle is well clear. That view indicates useful separation rather than merely being beside the truck. Moving over when the truck is still alongside can cut into its path, and an early return reduces the margin needed if the larger vehicle must brake. Finish the pass, confirm the truck's front is visible behind you, then signal and ease over.

3. 3. Before turning across a bicycle lane, what must a motorist do?

   1. Check carefully beside and behind the vehicle for bicyclists
   2. Stop in the bicycle lane and wait for a driver to wave through
   3. Use the lane as a passing lane before turning
   4. Turn without checking because bicycles must yield at driveways
   Show answer

   Check carefully beside and behind the vehicle for bicyclists. A motorist may enter a bicycle lane for a turning movement, but the lane is not a shortcut or passing lane. Before crossing it, check beside and behind the vehicle because a bicyclist may be traveling through the space. The choice “Stop in the bicycle lane and wait for a driver to wave through” creates a blockage, and the choice “Use the lane as a passing lane before turning” treats a lane reserved for bicycles as a place to overtake. A right turn should be made only after the cyclist's path is understood and the crossing can be completed carefully. The practical cue is mirror, shoulder, bicycle lane, then turn.

Source: the Iowa Driver's Manual, Chapter 5: Sharing the Road. 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.