The One Driving Danger You Can’t See

You can’t avoid what you don’t see, and that’s what makes blind spots so dangerous.

Whether you’re a brand-new driver learning to check your mirrors or someone preparing for your road test in Massachusetts, understanding blind spots is a must. Not just your own, but other drivers’ too, especially trucks and buses.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know:

What a blind spot actually is
Where your blind spots are located
How to adjust your mirrors correctly
How to check blind spots while driving
How to avoid other people’s blind spots like 18-wheelers
Test tips and daily habits that keep you safe

Let’s make sure you never get blindsided, literally or figuratively.

What Is a Blind Spot?

A blind spot is any area around your vehicle that you cannot see using your mirrors alone.

That means:

The car behind your shoulder won’t appear in your side mirror
A motorcycle next to your back bumper is invisible until you look over

Even with perfectly adjusted mirrors, there are still gaps. And ignoring those gaps is one of the top causes of lane-change collisions.

What the Massachusetts Driver’s Manual Says

According to the Massachusetts Driver’s Manual:

“You must always check your blind spots before changing lanes or merging. Do not rely solely on your mirrors. Always look over your shoulder to make sure the way is clear.”

This is something your road test examiner is definitely watching for. Miss your blind spot check, and you could lose points or fail, even if the lane was technically clear.

Takeaway: Mirror checks are good. Shoulder checks are essential.

Where Are Your Blind Spots?

Blind spots vary slightly depending on the vehicle, but here’s a basic layout for a standard car or SUV:

Left blind spot is behind your left shoulder, just outside the reach of your side mirror
Right blind spot is behind your right shoulder, beyond your right mirror
Rear blind spot is directly behind the car if you don’t have a rear camera
Front corner blind spots (from A-pillars) can hide pedestrians or bikes at intersections

Want to see them for yourself? Have a friend walk around your parked car while you stay in the driver’s seat. Ask them to stop when you can’t see them in any mirror. You’ll be shocked how much space disappears.

How to Adjust Your Mirrors the Right Way

Getting your mirrors right is the first step in shrinking your blind spots.

Rearview Mirror

Sit in your normal driving position
Adjust the mirror so it shows as much of the rear window as possible
You shouldn’t see your own face, just the road behind you

Left Side Mirror

Hit the “L” button if your car has power controls
Lean your head toward the window and adjust until you can just barely see the side of your car
The rest should show the lane beside you

Right Side Mirror

Select “R” on the controls
Lean your head toward the center console and do the same adjustment
You want to see into the right lane, not your own fender

This setup reduces the overlap between your mirrors and gives you better coverage of what’s around you.

How to Check Your Blind Spots Without Overdoing It

A blind spot check should be quick and intentional. Here’s how:

Signal first
Do a quick shoulder glance in the direction you’re going
If it’s clear, change lanes or merge

There’s no need to turn your whole body or hold the glance. The goal is to confirm that the lane is clear and keep moving confidently.

Pro tip: Practice the head-turn motion in a parked car until it feels smooth and natural.

Common Blind Spot Mistakes and How to Fix Them

What About Other Drivers’ Blind Spots?

Now that you know about yours, it’s time to understand everyone else’s.

All drivers have blind spots, but larger vehicles like trucks, buses, and vans have massive ones. If you’re hanging out in one of those zones, the other driver may not know you’re there.

Understanding the No-Zone on Trucks

The No-Zone is what the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration calls the blind spots around large trucks. They include:

Right side, which is the largest and most dangerous blind spot
Left side, which is smaller but still risky
Front zone, since trucks can’t see directly in front for up to 20 feet
Rear zone, because tailgating puts you completely out of view

If you can’t see the truck’s side mirrors, the truck driver can’t see you. Stay visible and don’t linger beside a truck, especially on the right.

How to Stay Visible to Other Drivers

Here’s how to make sure you’re not lost in someone else’s blind spot:

Avoid cruising next to another car or truck for too long
Use headlights in low-light or rainy conditions
Don’t follow too closely
Signal clearly and early
Pass quickly and safely, then return to your lane

Being seen is just as important as seeing.

Drills to Practice Blind Spot Awareness

Want to feel more confident behind the wheel? Here are some practice ideas you can do on your own or with a parent:

Passenger awareness challenge – Call out cars in blind spots before the driver notices
Parking lot mirror test – Watch a friend walk around the car while you track them using mirrors
Lane change reps – Practice signaling and checking blind spots repeatedly in both directions
Drive-by awareness – Track a passing car through rearview, side mirror, and then shoulder check

The goal is to make blind spot checks automatic and part of your normal flow.

Blind Spots and the Road Test

Examiners in Massachusetts are watching closely to make sure you check blind spots during key moments, like:

Lane changes
Merges
Pulling out from a curb
3-point turns
Backing out of parking spots

If you forget to check, even if no one is there, it still costs you points. Worse, if it causes unsafe movement, it may result in a fail.

Pro tip: Make your head movement visible. A subtle glance may be too subtle for your examiner to notice.

Can You Rely on Blind Spot Technology?

Blind spot monitoring systems are useful, but they aren’t perfect. They can miss motorcycles, react late, or fail altogether. They’re also not allowed as a substitute for proper checks during the road test.

Use the system as a helpful alert, not a replacement for actual awareness.

What Parents Should Know

If you’re a parent helping your teen practice, build blind spot habits early. You can:

Ask them to explain what they see in each mirror
Talk through lane changes out loud
Encourage shoulder glances, even in light traffic
Model good behavior when you’re the one driving

Blind spot awareness starts with repetition and grows through conversation.

Quick Recap: How to Master Blind Spots

Set your mirrors correctly
Always glance over your shoulder when changing lanes
Avoid other people’s blind spots, especially trucks
Practice until it becomes second nature
Make your actions clear on the road test
Don’t rely solely on technology
Teach and reinforce these habits early

Want more no-nonsense advice that makes the road test feel easier?

Check out Understanding Right-of-Way: The Rules No One Talks About (But You’ll Be Tested On) for another overlooked skill that can make or break your score.

Or explore other helpful posts like:
✅ How to Build Confidence Between Driving Lessons
✅ What to Expect During Your First Driving Lesson

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