All courses › Motorcycle licence (A1, A2, A) › Blind spots

Blind spots

blind spot seen in the mirror
Blue is what the driver sees in the side mirrors. Red is the blind spot: beside and slightly behind the car, between the mirror view and what the driver sees through the side window. Avoid staying there, or pass quickly.

All vehicles have blind spots, especially large ones such as lorries and buses. The blind spot is beside and slightly behind the vehicle, where the driver sees you neither in the mirror nor through the side window. If you cannot see the driver's mirror, the driver cannot see you. Avoid staying there, and pass decisively.

Example

You are in the next lane just behind a van, beside its rear wheel.

You are probably in its blind spot. Drop back, or pass when it is safe.

Vary your position in the lane so the cars ahead and in side roads see you.
Practise visibility and interaction for free →

← Speed to match your view · The car that turns across you →

Part of Motorcycle licence (A1, A2, A): Visibility and interaction.