Sharing the Road with Large Trucks in Ontario

A loaded transport truck can weigh more than twenty cars, cannot see what a car sees, and cannot stop the way a car stops. Most car-and-truck collisions happen because the car driver did not understand those limits. Once you do, sharing the road with large trucks becomes straightforward. Here is what new drivers in Ontario need to know.

Stay out of the blind spots

Big trucks have large blind spots on all four sides, called no-zones. They sit directly behind the trailer, along the right side, below and behind the driver on the left, and right in front of the cab. The rule of thumb is simple. If you cannot see the truck driver in their side mirror, they cannot see you. Spend as little time as possible in those areas.

Give a truck room to stop

A fully loaded truck needs far more distance to stop than a car, so the space in front of it is doing a job. Never cut in front of a truck and then brake, because the truck cannot shorten its stopping distance to match yours. When you merge ahead of one, leave a big gap, and keep extra following distance behind a truck too, since you cannot see the road ahead through it.

Watch for wide right turns

A long truck cannot turn tightly, so to make a right turn it often swings to the left first and then curves around. If you pull up on its right side at that moment, you can be squeezed against the curb in a spot the driver cannot see. Never move up the right side of a truck that is signalling or positioned to turn. Hang back and let it complete the turn.

Pass trucks quickly and cleanly

When you pass a truck, do it promptly and do not linger beside it, because its right side is the largest blind spot of all. Signal, get past at a steady pace, and only return to the lane once you can see the whole front of the truck in your mirror. Be ready for air turbulence and spray as you go by, especially in wind or rain.

Be patient and predictable

Trucks accelerate slowly, climb hills slowly, and take longer to react. Fighting that with quick lane changes and tight gaps is what creates danger. Signal early, hold a steady speed, and give the driver a clear, predictable picture of what you are doing. Patience around a truck costs you a few seconds and removes almost all of the risk.

Why trucks are on the test

The G1 knowledge test covers large trucks because their blind spots and stopping distance are exactly what new drivers underestimate. Remember that if you cannot see the mirrors they cannot see you, give trucks room to stop, keep off the right side of a turning truck, and pass quickly, and you are sharing the road safely.

Keep reading: sharing the road with buses, cyclists and emergency vehicles and the three-second following distance rule.

Based on the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook and Ontario’s rules for sharing the road. Last reviewed July 2026.