Going for my licence. need help on blind spots?

Question

i failed my test the first time because i didn't check my blind spots enough (or didn't do headchecks as she put it). i dont really understand blind spots that much. when i'm turning left am i looking in my left or right blind spot before i turn, and the same with right turn?

also if anyone from NSW could tell me anything else about the test to do with head checks (i think the tests are different in each state)

Answer 1

Your blind spots are the areas around your vehicle that, when facing forward, you cannot see either from your front windshield, or any of your mirrors.  This mostly causes problems when changing lanes or backing up.  When changing from the right lane to the left, you need to check your left mirror, then do a "head check", which is turning your head and looking over your left shoulder to assure there is not a car in the left lane that you're merging into.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

To set mirrors to eliminate all blind spot areas, use the following steps:

Start by setting your central (inside) rear-view mirror as you normally would. Then, lean your head all the way to the left so it touches the driver's window. From that position, set your left side-view mirror so you can just barely see the back corner of your car. Now lean the same distance the other way, and set your right side-view mirror the same way.

Test your newly adjusted mirrors on a multi-lane road. When a car comes up behind you, you should first see it in your rear-view mirror. But as it passes you (let's say on your left), you should see it move to the left side of your rear-view mirror. And as its left headlight disappears from your rear-view mirror, it should instantly show up in your left side-view mirror. There should be no delay. It should slip from one to the other, so you can always see it.

If the passing car becomes invisible at any time during your test, slightly adjust the left-side mirror so that as soon as the passing car's left, front headlight disappears from your rear-view mirror, it appears in your left-side mirror. You might need to make some slight adjustments to your side-view mirrors to make everything line up perfectly. Pulling up next to a line of parked cars, to simulate another lane of traffic next to you, is a good way to do that.

Repeat the above adjustment step for right-side mirror. A significant portion of your blind spots have now been eliminated.

Driving with the mirrors this way takes some getting used to. You have to learn to rely on your rear-view mirror first. And you'll have to get used to what your side-view mirrors are now looking at.