What is required before changing lanes in a commercial vehicle?

Before changing lanes in a commercial vehicle, signaling and checking mirrors is essential for safe maneuvering on the road. Signaling notifies other drivers of your intention to change lanes, which is particularly important given the larger size and longer stopping distance of commercial vehicles.

Additionally, checking mirrors ensures that there are no vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists in your blind spots, which are often more extensive in larger vehicles. This practice helps prevent collisions and ensures that lane changes are executed safely.

Other options lack critical safety protocols. Relying solely on the rearview mirror does not provide a comprehensive view of surrounding traffic. Signaling only if there are no other vehicles disregards the responsibility to communicate intentions at all times. Lastly, changing lanes quickly to avoid detection is not a safe or lawful practice; instead, it increases the risk of accidents. Therefore, the requirement to signal and check mirrors is fundamental to safe driving practices in commercial vehicles.