You’ve checked your mirrors, indicated and you’re ready to move off. But have you checked your blind spot?
It’s something you’ll hear your driving instructor mention regularly, and for good reason. Blind spot checks are a small but important part of safe driving, helping you spot other road users who might otherwise go unnoticed.
If you’re learning to drive, understanding when and how to check your blind spots is a skill worth getting right from the start.
What Is a Blind Spot When Driving?
A blind spot is an area around your vehicle that you can’t see clearly through your mirrors or normal forward view.
Even with your mirrors adjusted correctly, there will still be areas you can’t see without turning your head.
For example, a cyclist could be travelling alongside your car without being visible in your door mirror. Or another vehicle might be sitting just outside your field of vision as you prepare to change lanes.
That’s why mirrors alone aren’t always enough.
Where Are the Blind Spots on a Car?
Most cars have several areas where visibility is restricted:
- To the sides: Areas alongside and slightly behind your vehicle that aren’t fully covered by your mirrors.
- Behind the car: Objects or people close to the rear of the vehicle may be hidden from view.
- Around the windscreen pillars: The pillars supporting the roof can temporarily hide pedestrians, cyclists or even other vehicles, particularly at junctions.
- Immediately in front: Depending on the vehicle, low objects or small children close to the front bumper may not be visible from the driver’s seat.
The size and position of blind spots vary between vehicles, which is why it’s important to become familiar with the car you’re driving.
When Should You Check Your Blind Spots?
One of the most common questions learner drivers ask is when they need to check their blind spots.
There are several situations where an additional check is particularly important.
Before moving off
Before pulling away from the kerb, check your mirrors and the relevant blind spot to make sure it’s safe. A cyclist or another vehicle could be approaching from behind.
When changing lanes
Check your mirrors, signal if necessary and check the appropriate blind spot before moving across. Another vehicle could be alongside you without being visible in your mirrors.
When joining traffic
Whether you’re pulling out from the roadside or joining a faster-moving road, make sure you’ve checked for vehicles that might be hidden from view.
When reversing or manoeuvring
Use all-round observations, including looking around and checking blind spots. Don’t rely solely on your mirrors or reversing camera.
Remember, a blind spot check should be a quick, purposeful look. You still need to maintain awareness of what’s happening ahead of you.
Do You Need to Check Your Blind Spots During Your Driving Test?
Yes. Your examiner will expect you to make appropriate observations and respond safely to what you see.
However, that doesn’t mean you need to exaggerate every head movement or check your blind spots constantly.
It’s about checking at the right time, in the right direction and making sure it’s safe before carrying out a manoeuvre.
Forgetting an important blind spot check could result in a driving fault, or potentially a serious or dangerous fault if it creates a risk.
The best approach is to make effective observations part of your normal driving routine rather than something you only think about during your test.
Common Blind Spot Mistakes Learner Drivers Make
It’s perfectly normal to forget the occasional check when you’re first learning. There can be a lot to think about at once!
Some common mistakes include:
- Relying entirely on mirrors: Mirrors are essential, but they don’t show everything.
- Checking too early: Traffic situations can change quickly, so your final observation needs to be relevant to the manoeuvre.
- Looking for too long: A blind spot check should be brief. Turning your head for too long takes your attention away from the road ahead.
- Going through the motions: A quick glance isn’t much use if you haven’t actually looked for approaching traffic or other hazards.
With practice, checking your blind spots becomes a natural part of your driving.
Building Good Habits During Your Driving Lessons
Blind spot checks might feel like yet another thing to remember when you’re starting out, alongside mirrors, signals, steering and everything else.
But you won’t be expected to master everything immediately.
During your driving lessons, your instructor will help you understand where your blind spots are, when you need to check them and how to make effective observations without becoming distracted.
At Geoff Capes Driving School, our instructors take a patient, supportive approach, helping you build safe driving habits at a pace that suits you.
A Small Check That Makes a Big Difference
Blind spot checks only take a moment, but they can help prevent a potentially dangerous situation.
The more you practise, the more natural they’ll become. Eventually, you won’t need to consciously remind yourself every time.
And that’s exactly what learning to drive is about: developing the skills and awareness to make safe decisions, not just to pass your driving test, but every time you get behind the wheel.
