Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Permit Practice Test

What should you see in your inside rear view mirror before pulling back in front of a large vehicle?

1. The truck driver waving

2. The vehicle's headlights

3. The vehicle's front bumper

4. Other cars driving behind

The correct answer is: The vehicle's headlights

Before merging back in front of a large vehicle, it’s important to see the vehicle's headlights in your inside rear view mirror. This indicates that you have safely created enough distance between your vehicle and the large vehicle, ensuring that it is at a sufficient distance behind you. Large vehicles, such as trucks, have significant blind spots where the driver cannot see smaller vehicles. By checking for the headlights, you gauge that the truck is far enough back, which helps prevent potential collisions that could occur if you were to move in front of it too soon. While seeing the truck driver waving could imply that it is safe to move, it is not a reliable method of assessing the situation since it's not always possible to see the driver. The vehicle’s front bumper may not provide adequate information regarding safe distance, as its position could vary greatly depending on the speed of both vehicles. Other cars driving behind may not be relevant to the interaction with the large vehicle directly in front of you, as they can also introduce additional risks when merging.