Interaction with heavy vehicles

Heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses have completely different characteristics than passenger cars. They need more space, see less, and take longer to stop. Poor cooperation can lead to serious accidents.

Blind spots on large vehicles

A truck has blind spots that are much larger than those on a passenger car. The entire right side can be invisible to the driver, especially in turns.

Rule of thumb: If you don’t see the driver’s mirrors, the driver doesn’t see you. Read more about blind spots and dead angles .

Turning and turning radius

Heavy vehicles swing their rear in turns. A truck turning right can take up part of the lane to the left with the front, while the trailer cuts the corner inward. Keep a distance and never drive up beside a truck signaling a turn.

Braking distance and following distance

A fully loaded 50-ton truck needs significantly longer braking distance than a passenger car. You should:

• Avoid cutting in closely in front of a truck after overtaking
• Give extra space on downhill sections, where braking effect is reduced
• Understand that heavy vehicles can roll backward on uphill slopes

Buses in traffic

• You must yield to a bus leaving a bus stop when the speed limit is 60 km/h or lower
• Expect passengers to cross the road immediately after the bus has stopped
• Keep extra distance when a bus stops, especially near pedestrian crossings

Tips for the theory test

Questions about heavy vehicles often involve blind spots, yielding to buses, and the dangers of driving beside large vehicles at intersections. Combine this with knowledge about using indicators to understand signals from professional drivers.

Further reading

• Blind spots and dead angles
• Yielding to buses and trams
• Yielding and intersections
• Driving in urban areas