You cannot see a truck driver's face in the truck's side mirror. What should you assume?
Correct answer: The driver may be unable to see your car.
A truck's mirrors do not eliminate its blind spots. Avoid lingering where the driver cannot see you, and reposition safely without a sudden lane change.
Source: FMCSA, Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers; updated May 12, 2026; 1. Avoid Blind Spots: mirror visibility; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A gap ahead of a moving bus looks large enough for your car. Why can merging tightly into it still be dangerous?
Correct answer: It takes away space the bus needs to stop.
Large vehicles need substantial stopping room. A gap that physically fits a car may leave inadequate braking space for the bus behind it.
Source: FMCSA, Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers; updated May 12, 2026; 2. Be Aware of Long Stopping Distances; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A truck signals right but first moves slightly left near a corner. What should a driver behind it do?
Correct answer: Wait; it may be creating room for a wide right turn.
A large vehicle may need a leftward setup before turning right. Do not enter the space it needs to complete that turn.
Source: FMCSA, Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers; updated May 12, 2026; 3. Anticipate Wide Turns; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
What additional danger can arise when a passenger car crashes into the rear of a high truck?
Correct answer: The car can slide or be pushed underneath the truck.
The height difference creates an underride hazard. Leaving room behind the truck helps avoid a collision with consequences beyond an ordinary low-speed rear-end crash.
Source: FMCSA, Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers; updated May 12, 2026; 4. Stay Back: underride risk; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
You stop behind a loaded truck facing uphill. Why should you leave extra room?
Correct answer: It might roll backward as it starts moving.
A heavy vehicle can roll back on an incline. Keep a buffer rather than stopping so close that a small rollback reaches your car.
Source: FMCSA, Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers; updated May 12, 2026; 4. Stay Back: stopped on an incline; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
Why does FMCSA advise avoiding a pass alongside a large truck on a downhill stretch?
Correct answer: The truck may gain speed on the descent.
A heavy vehicle can pick up speed downhill, changing a passing situation quickly. Wait for a safer opportunity instead of racing it down a grade.
Source: FMCSA, Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers; updated May 12, 2026; 5. Merge and Pass Safely: downhill passing; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A bus is overtaking your car and will need to return to your lane. How can you help?
Correct answer: Give it extra room to complete the lane change.
Do not compete for the space a large vehicle needs to finish passing. Allow a safe gap instead of trapping it beside you.
Source: FMCSA, Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers; updated May 12, 2026; 5. Merge and Pass Safely: a large vehicle passing you; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A heavy truck is slow to accelerate when the traffic light turns green. What is the sensible response?
Correct answer: Allow time and space for it to gain speed.
Cargo weight affects acceleration, particularly uphill. Pressure from a following driver does not make the truck accelerate like a passenger car.
Source: FMCSA, Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers; updated May 12, 2026; 6. Be Patient: acceleration; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A large truck passing your small car produces a gust of air. What should you be prepared to do?
Correct answer: Maintain controlled steering within your lane.
Air movement around a large vehicle can affect nearby smaller vehicles. Anticipate it and retain lane control without abrupt steering.
Source: FMCSA, Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers; updated May 12, 2026; 10. Understand the Differences: wind gusts; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
When choosing how to pass a truck on a multilane road, which approach does FMCSA advise avoiding?
Correct answer: Passing along its right side.
Avoid right-side passing around trucks and buses. Blind areas and turning movements make that position hazardous; this guidance is not a claim that every right-side pass is illegal.
Source: FMCSA, Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers; updated May 12, 2026; 5. Merge and Pass Safely: right-side passing; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A tall bus takes a highway ramp much more slowly than a nearby car. What is a likely safety reason?
Correct answer: Its higher center of gravity increases rollover risk.
Tall vehicles may need much lower speeds through curves and ramps to remain stable. Do not treat their cautious speed as an invitation to crowd them.
Source: FMCSA, Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers; updated May 12, 2026; 10. Understand the Differences: curves and ramps; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
On a long drive you become drowsy while sharing the highway with trucks. What is the safest next plan?
Correct answer: Leave the road safely to rest or change drivers.
Drowsiness reduces your ability to react. A safe rest stop or an alert replacement driver addresses the problem; noise and speed do not replace rest.
Source: FMCSA, Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers; updated May 12, 2026; 9. Avoid Driving Under the Influence or Fatigued; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
