Following Distance: Practice Questions

The handbook sets the minimum following distance behind another vehicle at two seconds. To check it, choose a fixed reference point such as a tree, mast or sign, start counting when the rear of the vehicle ahead passes it, and stop when the front of your vehicle reaches it. Counting only one second means you are too close and must drop back; three seconds meets the minimum. In rain or blowing dust, leave more than two seconds. A bigger gap gives you more time to react, less pressure on the pedals and more relaxed driving.

10 questions · Handbook pp. 183–186 · Unit 5: Speed & Distance

Practise these questions →

Question 1What is the minimum following distance behind another vehicle?

1. AHalf a second
2. BOne second
3. CTen seconds
4. DTwo seconds ✓(correct answer)

Correct answer: D. The minimum distance to drive behind another vehicle is two seconds.Source: Handbook p. 183

Question 2When is it especially important to check your following distance regularly?

1. AOnly when parking
2. BOnly in a traffic jam
3. CWhen driving at higher speeds, such as on the highway or open road ✓(correct answer)
4. DOnly at traffic lights

Correct answer: C. Check the following distance regularly, especially at higher speeds behind other vehicles.Source: Handbook p. 184

Question 3Which could you use as a reference point for the two-second rule?

1. AYour speedometer needle
2. BA tree, mast, sign or shadow next to the road ✓(correct answer)
3. CThe centre of your steering wheel
4. DThe car directly behind you

Correct answer: B. Choose a fixed reference point such as a traffic light, tree, mast, sign or a shadow on the road.Source: Handbook p. 184

Question 4When do you START counting in the two-second rule?

1. AWhen you see the reference point in the distance
2. BWhen the front of your car passes the reference point
3. CWhen the car ahead brakes
4. DWhen the rear of the vehicle ahead passes the reference point ✓(correct answer)

Correct answer: D. Start counting when the back of the vehicle in front of you is at the reference point.Source: Handbook p. 184

Question 5When do you STOP counting in the two-second rule?

1. AWhen the rear of your car passes the point
2. BAfter exactly two seconds, whatever happens
3. CWhen the vehicle ahead disappears from view
4. DWhen the front of your vehicle reaches the reference point ✓(correct answer)

Correct answer: D. Keep counting until the front of your vehicle reaches the reference point; it must take at least two seconds.Source: Handbook p. 184

Question 6The car ahead passed a tree. You counted 'one thousand one' and your car reached the same tree. What does this mean?

1. AYour distance is safe
2. BYour distance is not safe - drop back ✓(correct answer)
3. CYou should overtake now
4. DYou are too far behind

Correct answer: B. You counted only one second. You must count at least two seconds, otherwise the distance is not safe.Source: Handbook p. 184

Question 7In the diagram, the time between car A passing the reference point and your car B reaching it was 1 second. What should you do?

1. ANothing; one second is enough
2. BIncrease the distance to at least two seconds ✓(correct answer)
3. COvertake car A immediately
4. DClose up to the car ahead

Correct answer: B. One second is below the two-second minimum, so the distance is not safe.Source: Handbook p. 184

Question 8In the diagram, the time between car A passing the reference point and your car B reaching it was 3 seconds. Is the distance safe?

1. AYes, it is at least the two-second minimum ✓(correct answer)
2. BIt depends only on the speed limit sign
3. CNo, it must be at least 5 seconds
4. DNo, you are too far and must close up

Correct answer: A. Three seconds is more than the two-second minimum, so the distance is safe (in good conditions).Source: Handbook p. 184

Question 9It starts raining and dust is blowing. What should you do with your following distance?

1. AKeep exactly two seconds
2. BFollowing distance doesn't change with weather
3. CLeave a larger distance than two seconds ✓(correct answer)
4. DReduce it to stay close to the car ahead

Correct answer: C. Leave a larger distance in changing weather such as storms, dust, rain and poor road conditions.Source: Handbook p. 185

Question 10What is the benefit of keeping a large following distance and looking ahead?

1. AYou don't need to use mirrors
2. BYou can drive faster in traffic
3. CMore time to respond to dangers, less pressure on the gas pedal and more safety ✓(correct answer)
4. DOther drivers cannot cut in

Correct answer: C. A large distance and looking forward give more time to respond, less pressure on the gas and more safety.Source: Handbook p. 186

Practise these questions →