What should you see in your rearview mirror before pulling in front of a truck, bus, or RV?

Seeing the entire front of the truck, bus, or RV in your rearview mirror before pulling in front of it is critical for safe driving. This ensures that you have enough space to merge safely and that the vehicle behind you has sufficient distance and time to respond if necessary. Large vehicles like trucks and buses take longer to slow down or stop compared to standard passenger vehicles, so confirming visibility of their entire front indicates they are at a safe distance for you to change lanes or merge ahead.

Additionally, just seeing the top of the truck or a portion of its side may not provide a true sense of how close the vehicle is and can lead to dangerous situations. Moving quickly without checking anything can significantly risk your safety as it ignores the need for situational awareness on the road. Ensuring visibility of the entire front of the large vehicle gives you confidence that your maneuver will not impede its progress.