Flashing Lights. (Not The Evil Blue And Red Ones...)

This is from the Things They Don't Teach You in CDL School category.

No on ever explained this and I'm embarrassed to ask other drivers I run into, so...

What the heck is the protocol/meaning behind flashing your lights to other drivers? What I think I've gotten so far is you flash your headlights to let another driver know they are clear to come over in front of you and I think you cut your marker lights on (or all of them) to say thanks for it. Is that right? Is there a difference between cutting your headlights and hitting high beams? I've seen both. Does it make a difference how many times or how often you cut your marker lights or shut your lights off? Lots of people have blinked their lights at me after they've passed me when I didn't signal them to come over with my headlights, so I'm not sure I get that one.

It's not knowing things like this that make me feel like I'm still a total newb and not part of the trucker "club" or "brotherhood" yet.

You have the right idea.

When its dark outside it can be difficult to see the end of your trailer and the distance it is from the driver you are passing. The driver flashing his headlights is a "go ahead and pass me" signal.

Flashing the marker lights is a simply thank you. You can flash it once or flash it a million times. Its just a simple thank you.

Flashing high beams vs low beams is a very controversial topic. Some drivers believe that you should never touch the high beams when flashing someone while others flash high beams and just don't care.

I personally think its not a problem to quickly flash your high beams once or twice with the sun shining. But if its dark then do not flash your high beams to signal that someone can pass you. They could be looking at their mirror straight at you and an unexpected high beam flash can really irritate the drivers eyes.

Well, don't feel too bad...I'm just starting my studying process to go to school, but I'm not even sure that I know which ones are referred to as "marker" lights...Guess I really have a lot to learn!

Well, don't feel too bad...I'm just starting my studying process to go to school, but I'm not even sure that I know which ones are referred to as "marker" lights...Guess I really have a lot to learn!

Marker lights are the lights on the top of the back of the trailer. I wouldn't worry about this right now there's a million other things that are on your mind. You'll find out about this when you'll be getting trained on the Pre-Trip Inspection.

I am sorry but those that say its okay to flash bright lights have never looked in there mirror at the wrong time and lost there night vision. During the day is fine but NEVER at night. Honestly I rather someone do nothing at all than use their bright lights.

Daniel i have to disagree a bit about the passing. While depth perception to the back of your trailer can be an issue but if you are passing someone and you can't tell the distance between your trail end and their hood then you are to close.

Honestly I have no idea where these drivers have gotten the idea its ok to come back in front of someone with less than a truck length between them. Most times people come over with only a half a truck length or less. This is crazy and also super dangerous.

Sorry if this is a bit strong but this post deals with two of my biggest pet peeves. Bright lighting someone and lack of safe distance when passing.

And for yourself and anyone else just getting into this, don't try to learn everything at once. Think of it as a process with two distinct stages. First you will learn simply what you need to know about operating a commercial motor vehicle well enough to pass the test for your CDL. Then you will go out with a trainer and learn the basics of how to be a truck driver. It's almost two entirely different things.

Wait. I forgot about stage three. That is when you finish training and are released into the wild as a solo driver. The biggest thing you will learn is stress management when you find that nothing works out the way it did in training.

I have to agree with Guyjax on both points. Luckily my truck has a button on the steering wheel to cut the headlights and another to cut the markers, so I'm never tempted to flash brights at anyone. As for the passing thing, yeah I hate how close most people come over in front of me. I'm starting to back my speed off just I give them more room. And I usually gauge how close I am to someone I'm passing by counting the stripes in the road.

Incidentally, my company says not to flash lights at all because it's unsafe. Supposedly if you signal someone it's OK to come over and they then hit something or get cancer or some such they can blame it on you.

Ok, the reply makes me feel better! I like the OP's comment that "if they hit something, OR GET CANCER they can blame it on you...THat's seriously funny!

NEVER EVER EVER flash your high beams at a driver at night! It will blind them. The proper way at any time of the day is to turn the headlights on and off about twices. Leave your marker lights on though. I have been blinded too many times by morons trying to "help". As for as a thank you 2/3 times flashing your markers should safice. Its just common courtesy. There are very limited places you need your high beams on out here and if you constantly use them it means you need to back off and take your time.

Lots of people have blinked their lights at me after they've passed me when I didn't signal them to come over with my headlights, so I'm not sure I get that one.

Sometimes they think they may have missed your signal so they say thank you just in case. Other times they're doing it sarcastically to say "Thanks for nothing" because you didn't signal them over. I used to do that sometimes to let people know that even though they may be too lazy or inconsiderate to signal me over I'm a nice enough guy to say thanks anyways.

Never, ever, ever flash your brights during any time of the day or night. It's blinds the cr*p out of you during the day just the same as at night. That's my opinion.