Reality Checking Question

So I've been into meditating/astral projecting for like a year now and sort of been working on lucid dreams. I've had 3 lucid dreams all of which have happened when I wake up in the middle of the night or early morning and I meditate myself back to sleep. However, there is no moment where I do I reality check/become lucid, I'm just lucid from the start. I'm pretty decent about doing reality checks through out the day and I can only think of one time where I actually thought am I dreaming? I looked at a yield sign and it was messed but I woke up immdieatley after.

If I am correct, I believe you are doing a WBTB then WILD method. I also have success with this kind of technique.
Problem is I find I have to be lucid to do a reality check because its only when I am conscious I remember to do the check. Sometimes something will happen that makes me suddenly realize that things aren't right but I can't say I consistently do reality checks in my dreams. I find WILD much easier and more satisfying anyway.

When you do your reality checks during waking life, take a few moments to look around at your world and ask yourself, "How do I know I'm not dreaming?" Take another moment to look around and imagine that you are in a dream, and then do an RC to prove that you are not. While you are looking around, pay attention/notice the detail in your world. Notice how stabile everything is/etc. Do this with every reality check you perform during waking life. It will only take a few extra moments, and it can greatly increase your chances with DILD. If you are routinely performing RCs and not really paying much attention to it, then it will be hard for that process to carry over into your dreams! Good Luck to you!