HGVs have areas with restricted visibility. Avoid staying beside an HGV for too long.
Large vehicles, such as heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), have restricted visibility areas, making it harder for drivers to see their surroundings. These vehicles are much longer, heavier, and more powerful than regular cars and require more stopping distance, so it’s important to drive carefully around them.
3 points to keep in mind
Visibility
HGVs have areas of limited visibility along both sides, so it’s important not to linger in these zones. Overtaking large vehicles can be more difficult, so always make sure you have enough room ahead to safely complete your overtaking manoeuvre.
Overtaking carefully
Make sure you have sufficient space ahead before committing to an overtaking manoeuvre. Keep in mind that passing a large vehicle takes more time. Avoid cutting back in too soon, and ensure there is enough distance between you and the HGV’s front blind spot.
Dont tailgate
HGVs have larger blind spots at the rear. By dropping back, you’ll have a clearer view of the road ahead and allow the HGV driver to spot you in their mirrors. Following too closely behind a large vehicle limits your visibility of the road and reduces your available stopping distance.
Know the zones
Front zone
HGV drivers sit high above, so if you’re too close, they won’t be able to see you. When driving in front of an HGV, make sure there’s sufficient space between your vehicle and the HGV, allowing the driver to see you and have enough room to brake safely.
Rear zone
If you’re following an HGV too closely, the driver might not see you, and you won’t have a clear view of the road ahead. If you can’t see the HGV’s mirrors or cameras, the driver can’t see you. Pull back to a distance where you’re visible, which could be up to three car lengths.
Left zone
The Highway Code advises not to undertake other vehicles. Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. However, if you do find yourself in the left lane with an HGV on your right, you should manoeuvre yourself out of the limited visibility zone safely, as the driver might not have seen you.
Right zone
Overtake with care. Make sure that you have enough room ahead to complete your overtaking manoeuvre. It takes longer to pass a long vehicle so do not linger and ensure there is enough room to pull back in to where the driver can see you.
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