How to Ride Safely Around Large Trucks on a Motorbike
Large trucks require extra attention when you’re riding a motorbike. Their size, turning radius, blind spots, and weight create risks that are very different from riding near smaller vehicles.
This is especially important in busy Ho Chi Minh City traffic, where motorbikes and larger vehicles can sometimes travel relatively close together.
Learning how to ride safely around large trucks comes down to a few important habits: stay visible, maintain space, anticipate turns, avoid blind spots, and never squeeze through a gap simply because your motorbike appears small enough to fit.
Why Riding Around Large Trucks Requires Extra Care
A motorbike is much smaller than a truck.
That size difference means a truck driver may have difficulty seeing a motorbike in certain positions around the vehicle. Trucks also require more space to manoeuvre and generally cannot respond as quickly as a motorbike.
When you ride safely around large trucks, don’t expect the truck driver to solve a dangerous situation for you.
Instead, create your own safety margin.
Pay attention to the truck’s position and movements while maintaining enough space to respond if something changes.
1. Don’t Stay Beside a Truck
Avoid spending unnecessary time directly alongside a large truck.
Depending on your position and the design of the truck, you may be difficult for the driver to see.
The situation can become particularly risky if the truck:
- Changes direction
- Moves laterally
- Begins turning
- Encounters an obstacle
- Adjusts its road position
If you’re unable to safely pass, maintaining an appropriate position behind the truck may be better than remaining beside it.
If you do pass, only do so when the manoeuvre is safe and legally permitted.
A fundamental rule when you ride safely around large trucks is to avoid lingering in vulnerable positions.
2. Understand Truck Blind Spots
Never assume:
“I can see the truck, so the driver can see me.”
Large vehicles can have substantial areas around them that are difficult for the driver to observe.
These can include areas:
- Along the sides
- Immediately behind the truck
- Close to the front
- Around certain corners of the vehicle
Mirror visibility can be a useful clue, but don’t treat the common saying “if you can’t see the truck’s mirrors, the driver can’t see you” as a guarantee in either direction. Truck designs, mirrors, and camera systems vary.
The safer approach is simple:
Don’t rely on being seen. Maintain space and avoid lingering near the truck.
3. Reduce Your Speed and Observe
When you’re approaching a large vehicle, give yourself time to understand what it’s doing.
Watch for:
- Turn signals
- Wheel movement
- Changes in road position
- Braking
- Changes in speed
- Nearby intersections or entrances
Don’t focus on only one signal.
For example, an indicator can provide useful information, but you should also observe how the vehicle itself is moving.
Reducing your speed when necessary gives you more time to assess the situation rather than making a last-second decision.
4. Give Turning Trucks Plenty of Space
This is one of the most important things to understand when learning to ride safely around large trucks.
Large trucks need considerably more room to turn than motorbikes and ordinary passenger cars.
The path of the truck’s rear wheels can also differ significantly from the path taken by its front wheels.
Never try to squeeze through a small space beside a truck that is turning.
In particular, avoid placing yourself between a turning truck and:
- A curb
- The roadside
- Another vehicle
- A barrier
- Any other fixed obstacle
A gap that looks large enough now can disappear extremely quickly as the truck completes its turn.
If a truck is preparing to turn, give it room and wait.
5. Watch the Truck’s Wheels
The wheels can sometimes provide an early clue about what a large vehicle is doing.
If you notice the front wheels beginning to change direction, the truck may be starting a turn or repositioning.
However, wheel position shouldn’t be your only source of information.
Combine it with:
Indicators + vehicle position + speed + road layout + surrounding traffic
Good observation means building a complete picture rather than relying on one signal.
6. Be Prepared for Air Movement
Large vehicles can disturb the air around them.
When a truck passes or you travel near one, you may experience changes in airflow that can affect the feel of a lightweight motorbike.
Avoid reacting with abrupt steering inputs.
Keep proper control of the handlebars, remain attentive, and maintain adequate space from the large vehicle.
Wind conditions, vehicle speed, road environment, and the particular motorbike can all influence how noticeable this effect feels.
7. Be Careful When Overtaking a Truck
Overtaking a large truck requires planning.
Before attempting to pass, make sure:
- Overtaking is legally permitted
- You have sufficient visibility
- The available space is adequate
- Traffic conditions are appropriate
- You aren’t approaching a dangerous junction or other conflict
- You can complete the manoeuvre safely
Don’t begin an overtake simply because there’s temporarily a small gap.
And don’t remain alongside the truck unnecessarily.
To ride safely around large trucks, patience is often more useful than trying to gain a few seconds.
8. Never Squeeze Through a Small Gap
Motorbike riders can sometimes see narrow spaces that cars couldn’t use.
But just because your motorbike physically fits doesn’t mean the gap is safe.
Imagine a truck on one side and a curb on the other.
There appears to be enough room.
Then the truck moves slightly toward you.
Suddenly, there isn’t.
Large vehicles need space to manoeuvre, and their movements may not always be obvious from a motorbike rider’s position.
If you’re asking yourself whether the gap is just big enough, waiting for a better opportunity is usually the smarter choice.
9. Don’t Follow a Truck Too Closely
Blind spots aren’t only beside a truck.
Following extremely closely can also create problems.
The truck itself may block your view of:
- Traffic lights
- Road signs
- Potholes
- Debris
- Stopped traffic
- Other hazards ahead
Maintaining an appropriate following distance can improve your visibility and give you more time to respond.
The correct distance depends on speed, road conditions, visibility, weather, and traffic.
The important principle is to leave enough room to react.
10. Be Extra Careful at Intersections
Intersections deserve additional attention when large trucks are nearby.
A truck may need to change its road position before completing a turn, and the space around it can change rapidly.
If you see a truck approaching or beginning a turn, don’t assume that an open-looking space beside it will remain available.
Observe.
Reduce your speed.
Give the truck room.
Then continue once you have a safe and legal path.
Riding Around Trucks in Ho Chi Minh City
Learning to ride safely around large trucks is particularly valuable when navigating Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding roads.
Traffic can involve motorbikes, cars, buses, delivery vehicles, and trucks sharing the same general environment.
Your goal shouldn’t be to compete for every available gap.
Instead, concentrate on maintaining:
- Visibility
- Space
- Appropriate speed
- Awareness
- Predictable movements
For more practical local advice, read our guide to riding safely in Ho Chi Minh City traffic.
Remember: Slow Down → Stay Visible → Keep Distance → Watch → Don’t Rush
You don’t need a complicated formula to ride safely around large trucks.
Remember:
SLOW DOWN → STAY VISIBLE → KEEP DISTANCE → WATCH THE TRUCK → DON’T RUSH
If you’re uncertain about what a truck is going to do, don’t force your way past it.
Give yourself time and space.
Getting to your destination a few seconds earlier isn’t worth putting yourself in a dangerous position beside a much larger vehicle.
Renting a Motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City?
If you’re unfamiliar with riding in Ho Chi Minh City, become comfortable with your rental bike before entering complicated traffic.
Different motorbikes can vary in:
- Braking response
- Throttle response
- Steering
- Weight
- Seat height
- Low-speed handling
At Jan’s Motorbike, you can take a free test ride before deciding.
Use the test ride to understand how the brakes, throttle, steering, and overall handling feel.
Jan’s Motorbike rentals include:
- Excellent-condition motorbikes ready to ride
- Complimentary helmet and phone holder
- Free test ride before you decide
- Personal group chat support throughout your rental
If you experience a maintenance issue or another rental-related problem, you can contact the team through your personal support group chat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I ride safely around large trucks?
To ride safely around large trucks, maintain adequate distance, avoid lingering beside them, stay out of potential blind spots, anticipate turns, and only overtake when conditions are safe and the manoeuvre is legally permitted.
Where are a truck’s blind spots?
Blind spots vary by truck design, but large vehicles can have areas along their sides, behind them, and near the front that are difficult for the driver to observe. Don’t assume the driver has seen your motorbike.
Is it safe to ride beside a truck?
Avoid staying beside a truck unnecessarily. Your motorbike may be difficult for the driver to see, and the available space can change if the truck turns or adjusts its road position.
Should I pass a turning truck?
Don’t squeeze beside a truck while it is turning. Large trucks require significant turning space, and the path of the rear wheels can bring the vehicle closer to areas that initially appeared open.
Why shouldn’t I follow a truck closely?
Following too closely can reduce your view of the road and leave less time to react to braking, obstacles, or other changes ahead.
Can a passing truck affect my motorbike with wind?
Yes. Large moving vehicles can disturb surrounding airflow, which may be noticeable on a motorbike. Maintain space and avoid unnecessary sudden steering movements.
What should I do if I’m unsure whether I can pass a truck?
Wait. A key part of learning to ride safely around large trucks is recognizing when there isn’t enough information, visibility, or space to pass safely.
Final Thoughts
Large trucks don’t need to make riding intimidating, but they do deserve additional space and attention.
Don’t stay alongside them unnecessarily.
Don’t assume you’ve been seen.
Give turning trucks plenty of room.
Avoid squeezing into narrow gaps.
And never rush an overtake because you’re impatient.
Contact JAN’S MOTORBIKE: +84909 29 0078 (WhatsApp,Zalo)
Find Us: 5, 5th Street An Phu Ward, District 2
Check for full available motorbike HERE.
