Large vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and farm vehicles

Key points

1. If you cannot see a large vehicle driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.

   Source: PDF page 37

   “If you are near a large vehicle and can’t see the driver’s mirrors, the driver can’t see you.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 37

2. A loaded truck at 55 mph needs about 450 feet to stop.

   Source: PDF page 37

   “It takes a loaded truck with properly adjusted brakes, traveling at 55 mph, 450 feet to come to a complete stop.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 37

3. Before merging in front of a large vehicle, wait until you can see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror.

   Source: PDF page 37

   “wait until you can clearly see both of their headlights in your rearview mirror before merging in front of them.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 37

4. Large vehicles need 2 lanes of space in a roundabout; do not pass one while it is turning.

   Source: PDF page 37

   “They also need 2 lanes of space in a roundabout. Don’t pass a large vehicle when the driver is turning.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 37

5. Never move into the same lane alongside a motorcyclist.

   Source: PDF page 38

   “Never move into the same lane alongside a motorcyclist, even if the lane is wide and the motorcyclist is riding far to one side.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 38

6. You cannot share a lane with a bicyclist; leave at least 3 feet when behind one.

   Source: PDF page 39

   “You cannot share a lane with a bicyclist. Legally, bicyclists may use the full lane and ride where they’re most visible to you and other drivers. When you’re driving behind a bicyclist, leave at least 3 feet of space.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 39

7. When passing a bicyclist, leave at least 3 feet between the bicyclist and the widest part of your vehicle.

   Source: PDF page 39

   “Leave at least 3 feet between the bicyclist and the widest part of your vehicle.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 39

8. Bicyclists in crosswalks count as pedestrians, so yield to them.

   Source: PDF page 39

   “Bicyclists in crosswalks are considered pedestrians. You must yield to them in both marked and unmarked crosswalks and intersections.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 39

9. Farm vehicles designed for 25 mph or less show a triangle emblem on the back.

   Source: PDF page 41

   “Agricultural and farm vehicles designed to go 25 mph or less will have a triangle sign or emblem on the back.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 41

10. Before turning, check your mirrors and look over your shoulder for bicyclists or pedestrians beside you.

    Source: PDF page 33

    “Before turning, check your side mirrors and do an over-shoulder check for bicyclists or pedestrians who might be alongside you or about to cross the street.”
    Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 33

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Washington practice test

1. 1. When driving behind a bicyclist in Washington, how much space should a driver leave?

   1. Less than 1 foot to discourage wobbling
   2. Exactly 10 feet in every situation
   3. At least 3 feet
   4. No space if the bicycle is near the curb
   Show answer

   At least 3 feet. Washington tells drivers to leave at least 3 feet when driving behind a bicyclist. A bicycle may need to shift position for debris, drainage, a parked car, or another hazard, so riding close to the curb does not erase the space requirement. The less than one foot choice is plainly unsafe, and the fixed ten foot distance is not the guide's stated minimum. Reduce speed, wait for a safe opportunity to pass, and preserve the buffer until the vehicle is clear. The three foot cue applies to the widest part of the vehicle when passing as well.

2. 2. How far does a loaded truck at 55 mph need to stop, according to the Washington guide?

   1. About 100 feet
   2. About 450 feet, even with properly adjusted brakes
   3. About 200 feet
   4. About 1,000 feet
   Show answer

   About 450 feet, even with properly adjusted brakes. It takes a loaded truck with properly adjusted brakes, traveling at 55 mph, 450 feet to come to a complete stop. Cutting in front of a truck without enough space is dangerous for everyone. When merging ahead of a large vehicle, wait until you can see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror, then keep pace with traffic so the truck does not have to brake hard.

3. 3. What should you do when driving near a large truck that you cannot see the driver’s mirrors?

   1. Stay beside the truck until you reach the next intersection
   2. Pass closely on the shoulder to leave the blind zone
   3. Move away from the truck because its driver cannot see you
   4. Assume the truck driver can see you through the side window
   Show answer

   Move away from the truck because its driver cannot see you. If you cannot see the driver’s mirrors, the guide says the truck driver cannot see you. The safest response is to avoid remaining in that blind zone and create space away from the large vehicle. Staying alongside prolongs the hidden position, and using the shoulder is not a normal passing maneuver. A side window does not defeat the mirror-based blind-zone warning. Treat the missing mirror view as a direct cue to change position safely and avoid lingering beside the truck.

Source: the Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), Chapter 4: Roads. 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.