Nevada · Handbook chapter 8 · 4 min read

Chapter 8: Sharing the road

Trucks and buses and their no-zones, motorcycles, mopeds, school buses, bicycles, pedestrians and blind pedestrians, and riding in pickup beds under Nevada law.

Why this chapter matters

Most crashes between cars and large trucks are caused by the car drivers, and the people in the car are much more likely to be hurt. The test checks that you know how to drive around trucks, motorcycles, school buses, cyclists and people on foot.

Trucks and buses: the no-zones

Large vehicles need nearly twice the distance to stop, cannot maneuver quickly and have big blind spots called no-zones.

• Sides: do not linger beside a truck. If you cannot see the driver's face in the side mirror, the driver cannot see you. The right side is the most dangerous.
• Front: after passing, wait until you can see the whole front of the truck in your rearview mirror before moving back, and then do not slow down.
• Rear: do not tailgate; the driver cannot see you and you cannot see ahead.
• Backing: never pass behind a truck that is backing up.
• Wide turns: trucks swing wide, often to the left before a right turn. Do not squeeze between a truck and the curb.

Motorcycles

Motorcyclists have the same rights as other drivers and may use a full lane. Two motorcycles may ride side by side in one lane if both riders agree. Motorcycles are hard to see, often look farther away than they are, and their signals often do not cancel themselves. Leave more following distance, especially on wet roads, and always dim your high beams for a motorcycle.

Mopeds

A moped has a top speed of 30 mph on level ground. Moped riders must keep to the far right lane unless there is only one lane, they are turning left, it is unsafe, or police direct otherwise. Riders and passengers must wear helmets.

School buses

You must stop for a school bus showing flashing red lights, from either direction, and stay stopped until the driver turns them off. The one exception: on a divided highway, only traffic going the same direction as the bus must stop. Bus drivers may report violators, and the vehicle's owner gets a warning letter.

Bicycles

• Cyclists follow the same rules as drivers and ride as far right as practical.
• Yield to cyclists at intersections and in bike lanes or on bike paths.
• To pass, move to the next lane if you can; otherwise give at least 3 feet.
• Do not drive, stop or park in a bike lane except to enter or leave a driveway or alley, or in an emergency.
• Check for cyclists before opening your door or turning, and never speed past a cyclist just to turn in front.
• Causing even a minor crash with a cyclist or pedestrian can bring a reckless driving charge and a license suspension.

Pedestrians

• Pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks and at intersections, marked or not.
• When the light turns green, yield to people still crossing. Pedestrians have the right-of-way over drivers turning right.
• Do not pass a vehicle that has slowed or stopped until you know why it stopped; someone may be crossing.
• Yield to a pedestrian on your half of the road, or approaching it so closely they are in danger.
• Wait until a crossing guard is completely out of the crosswalk.

Pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired

A person with a white cane or guide dog has the right-of-way at all times. Stop within five feet of the crosswalk (they listen for your engine), do not stop in the crosswalk, do not honk and do not shout directions. Give them 3 to 4 seconds to decide. If they step back and pull in the cane, they are signaling you to go. Take extra care in a quiet electric vehicle.

Riding in a pickup bed

No one under 18 may ride in the bed of a pickup or flatbed truck on a paved highway, except in an authorized parade or during farm or ranch work.