When should a driver check their vehicle's height?

Checking a vehicle's height is essential for ensuring safe passage under bridges, overpasses, and other low clearance areas. This is particularly critical for commercial drivers who operate larger vehicles, as exceeding height limits can lead to serious accidents and infrastructure damage. By verifying a vehicle's height before driving, the driver can prevent situations where they might get stuck or cause damage by attempting to pass under structures that cannot accommodate their vehicle's height.

The other choices, while they may pertain to safe driving practices, do not directly address the importance of checking for low clearance compliance. For example, checking height before entering a highway is less relevant since highways generally have standardized clearance requirements. Checking height prior to left turns or when changing tires may not provide the critical information needed to navigate safely in environments with potential height restrictions. Therefore, ensuring compliance with low clearance areas is the primary reason for a height check.