What Is a Truck’s No-Zone?

Poor passing and merging technique is one of the top causes of truck accidents in the U.S. These crashes can happen at any time and it’s often because drivers don’t understand how a truck’s shape limits visibility.

To help you stay safe on the roads and tell when a truck driver can see you, we need to answer a very important question: What is a truck’s no-zone?

The No-Zone Explained

The no-zone is a special term used to describe a semi-truck’s blind spots. Because trucks are larger and longer than other vehicles, they have restricted visibility compared to other vehicles. To be clear: the no-zone isn’t an area of low visibility; it’s an area of zero visibility.

To better understanding how the no-zone works, we’ve made a graphic to explain. The semi-truck’s blind spots are marked in white.

Truck no zone

Front and Back

From this, we can determine a few things. First, semi-trucks drivers cannot see anything either 20ft in front of their vehicle or 30ft behind their trailer.

If a car is following too closely, the truck driver may not realize someone is behind them. That could be extremely dangerous if someone either moved from one no-zone to another (like if a driver attempted to pass on the right) or if both vehicles changed lanes at the same time.

The same applies to drivers who are too close to the front of the truck. If someone were to merge too close to the cab and then hit the brakes, the truck driver might not see their brake lights or even realize that someone is in their no-zone. This is where many preventable semi-truck accidents occur.

Left and Right

The sides of the truck are also danger zones and can present challenges to drivers who aren’t aware of these limitations. There is a small no-zone on the driver’s side between the trailer and the cab. The danger here is that a driver lingers in the no-zone and a truck driver loses track of them.

The passenger’s side is especially worrisome as it is much larger and extends across multiple lanes. This is why you should never pass any vehicle on the right side. If the truck needs to merge into the right lane or get to an exit, the driver may not realize you are in their no-zone.

Safe Passing

Given the scope of a semi-truck’s no-zone, it’s essential to understand the proper passing and merging techniques that can help you avoid a serious accident. Some of our most impactful tips for safely passing a truck include:

Commitment

The longer you’re in a truck’s no-zone, the more likely the truck driver is to lose track of you. An effective way to stay safe is to commit to passing the truck quickly once you enter the passing lane and avoid lingering next to their trailer.

Full Visibility

When it’s time to merge back into the travel lane, remember to provide enough space so the truck driver can see you. As a general guide, if you can see the entire truck in your rear-view mirror, the truck driver can see you.

See What They See

Finally, remember that mirrors work both ways. If you can see the truck driver’s face in their side-view mirror, you know that you are not in their no-zone. Additionally, know that more and more semi-trucks are being equipped with blind-spot mirrors specifically designed to counteract the no-zone.

The better you are at identifying when you’re in the no-zone, the better your chances of avoiding an accident. Next time you come upon a large truck, try to tell when the driver can see you, and remember to provide a little extra space before passing and merging.

If you were hit and hurt in a truck accident, we’re here to help. To schedule a free case consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer from Payne Law Firm, please don’t hesitate to call (713) 999-4801 or send us an email.

Client Testimonials

Mynika M.
22:01 05 Feb 25
Mr. Bryant did an amazing job not just for me but my husband as well. Thanks
Kerrie P.
19:20 11 Dec 24
I want to express my gratitude for Mr. Bryant’s exceptional assistance during my recovery process after the unfortunate car accident. He was both efficient and friendly, providing me with timely updates without me needing to follow up. His proactive approach made a difficult situation much easier to navigate. I will definitely keep you in mind for any future needs.
Kisha J.
21:23 31 Oct 24
Awesome work Marquis Bryant…. You are a life saver!!! You went the extra mile to seal the deal with my case. I appreciate you. Thanks again everyone to in helping me win my case. Much love
Jeffrey D.
06:54 28 Sep 24
Tremendous experience. Very easy process couldn’t have asked for better experience. Thanks again!
Jonathan B.
16:59 04 Sep 24
Very knowledgeable, Anna Maria and Mr. Bryan kept me informed every step of the way and made sure I understood everything from start to finish. Payne law firm went to bat for me and made sure to get me the best for me
Shae K.
19:25 22 Jul 24
Marquise Bryant is very good honest attorney. I mean this from my heart. He has worked tirelessly on the case. This case is finished even before time because most cases of this dynamic takes over 3 years or more to complete; this case was completed in 2 due to Mr. Bryant evidence and investigation. I recommend Mr. Bryant and Payne Law Firm. I have used Payne Law Firm in the past. This was my husband case and a unique situation. My first time working with Mr. Bryant and he is professional by the book. Highly recommend Mr. Bryant
El J.
17:33 30 May 24
Awesome work, everyone was helpful with resolving my case. Anamariia and Mr. Bryant were very helpful.
tanya O.
17:34 08 Apr 24
Mr. Bryant and Mrs.Anamariia were sooo amazing in helping me with my dad case, even though he didn't get a chance to see it through.
Evans C.
18:00 11 Jan 24
Mr. Bryant and Anamariia at Payne Law Firm were great and attentive. Available for my calls and successful got me more than I expected on my settlement.
Thank you!
Father and child looking at a tablet screen

Committed to Helping You Get Back on Your Feet

At Payne Law Firm, our team provides serious, dedicated representation you can trust. Our aggressive approach to negotiation and trial has helped us recover favorable compensation awards for our clients, including multiple significant settlements and verdicts. Our goal is to help our clients get back on their feet after serious accidents and injuries by recovering the financial resources they need to heal.