When Do You Actually Need to Check Your Blind Spot? (WA Driving Explained)

Do you know when to check a blind spot?

If you’re learning to drive in Western Australia, chances are you’ve heard conflicting advice about blind-spot checks.

Family says one thing.
Friends say another.
Google gives you a long list.
Your instructor says, “It depends.”

And now you’re wondering: Who’s right?

In this article (and the video embedded below), I’ll explain when you genuinely need to check your blind spot, when mirrors are enough, and — most importantly — why. This is exactly how I explain it during one-on-one driving lessons, using logic rather than memorised rules.

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Why Blind Spots Are So Confusing for Learners

Most confusion stems from the idea that blind-spot checks are required every time you turn or pull over. That’s simply not how traffic works — and it’s not how assessors think either.

Blind-spot checks exist for one reason only:
👉 To detect something that could realistically be travelling beside you and hidden from your mirrors.

If nothing can logically be there, checking becomes unnecessary.

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The Core Rule about Blind Spots (Remember This)

**If something could realistically be beside you → check your blind spot.

If not → a proper mirror routine is enough.**

That single rule will answer 90% of blind-spot questions.

Learn more at Driving School WA

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Situations Where Blind-Spot Checks ARE Required

You must check your blind spot when you’re about to enter space that another road user could already occupy.

This includes:

• Leaving the kerb from a stationary position

• Changing lanes

• Merging

• Overtaking parked vehicles

• Entering a slip lane late

• U-turns and hook turns

• Reversing (complete observation required)

In these situations, another vehicle, cyclist, or motorbike could realistically be next to you, out of your field of view.

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Leaving the Kerb vs Pulling Over (Wnen to Check a Blind Spot Confusion)

This is where many learners get mixed up.

Leaving the kerb:

✔ Mirror
✔ Indicator
✔ Blind-spot check is mandatory

Why? Because someone could be overtaking you as you move off.

Pulling over to the kerb:

✔ Mirror checks
✔ Indicator
❌ Blind-spot check is usually unnecessary

If you’ve indicated for several seconds, checked your mirrors multiple times, and haven’t overtaken anyone, there’s no logic in checking over your shoulder to pull in a metre from the kerb.

This is why your instructor was right.

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Turning Right: Do You Need a Blind-Spot Check?

Usually, no.

If you’re:

• Turning right from the correct lane

• With no lane travelling beside you in the same direction

Then mirrors are sufficient.

There’s simply nowhere for another vehicle to be travelling side-by-side on your right.

The exception?

• Double right-turn lanes

• Emergency lane changes

In normal legal right turns, blind-spot checks aren’t required.

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Turning Left: The Cyclist Question

This causes the most anxiety.

Ask yourself:

• Have I overtaken a cyclist recently?

• Was our speed similar?

• Could they now be beside me?

If yes, then a blind-spot check before turning left makes sense.

If no — and you’re travelling faster, slowing gradually, and checking mirrors properly — there’s no realistic way a cyclist could “appear from nowhere”.

Bike lanes change everything, or do they?

If there’s:

• A dedicated bike lane

• Cyclists travelling straight ahead

• A green painted cyclist’s lane at the lights

Then yes — you must check your blind spot and give way if required.

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Pedestrians and Blind Spots

Pedestrians are not usually in blind spots while you’re driving forward.

You give way to pedestrians:

• When turning

• When they’re in front of you, visible through windows and mirrors

Blind-spot checks for pedestrians mainly apply when reversing, not when turning.

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Why Some Learners Fail for “Not Checking”

When someone fails for missing a blind-spot check, it’s almost always because:

• The cyclist or vehicle was genuinely there

• The assessor had to intervene

• The risk was real

Nothing “comes out of nowhere”.
If it did, it simply wasn’t seen.

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Can Over-Checking Blind Spots Be a Problem?

Surprisingly — yes.

In a driving test, excessive blind-spot checks can signal:

• Uncertainty

• Poor situational awareness

• Not understanding your obligations

If you’ve indicated early, checked mirrors properly, and know what’s around you, repeatedly checking over your shoulder can make you look unsure.

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Final Summary (Simple Logic)

✔ Check your blind spot when someone could realistically be beside you
✔ Mirrors are enough when nothing can be there
✔ Don’t memorise lists — understand movement
✔ Assessors care more about awareness than rituals

Driving safely isn’t about doing more checks.
It’s about doing the proper checks at the right time.

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🎥 Watch the full video below for real-world demonstrations and examples.

As always, feel free to ask questions in the comments — I’m happy to help.