Seeing and Communicating
Seeing and Communicating tests visual search, mirror use, blind-spot awareness, following distance, and signals. The goal is to see hazards early and make your intentions clear.
Core rules
- Aim high in steering and scan about 12–15 seconds ahead.
- Check mirrors every 5–8 seconds and before lane changes, turns, and stops.
- Mirrors do not show everything; know the blind spots on both sides and in front of the hood.
- Following distance formula: one second per 10 feet of vehicle length below 40 mph; add one second above 40 mph.
- Communicate with turn signals, headlights, horn, brake lights, and four-way flashers as appropriate. Signal early and cancel the signal.
- At night, do not overdrive your headlights.
Worked example
A 60-foot combination travels at 45 mph. The base gap is 6 seconds (60 ÷ 10). Because the speed is above 40 mph, add 1 second for a 7-second gap. At 45 mph the vehicle covers about 66 feet per second, so 7 seconds is roughly 460 feet.
Traps
Trusting mirrors alone; signaling after starting a lane change; using a 4-second gap in a 70-foot vehicle; failing to scan for hazards far ahead.