Arizona permit test: following distance & space
Following-distance rules, stopping distance and keeping a space cushion. 4 questions.
What minimum following distance does the Arizona manual recommend for most driving situations?
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Sample following distance & space questions

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What minimum following distance does the Arizona manual recommend for most driving situations?
- A At least 1 second
- B At least 2 seconds
- C At least 3 seconds
- D At least 6 seconds
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C. At least 3 seconds
Allow at least a 3-second following distance in most situations, and up to 6 seconds when conditions are poor. Pick a fixed point and count the seconds after the car ahead passes it.
Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, page 53
The road is slippery. What following distance does the Arizona manual recommend?
- A 3 seconds
- B 6 seconds or more
- C 4 seconds
- D 2 seconds
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B. 6 seconds or more
On slippery roads, double your following distance to 6 seconds or more. You need the extra distance to slow down or stop when tires have less grip.
Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, page 53
A driver is tailgating you. What does the Arizona manual advise?
- A Tap your brakes hard to warn the driver
- B Gradually slow down and leave more space ahead of you
- C Speed up to get away from the driver
- D Stop in the lane until the driver goes around
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B. Gradually slow down and leave more space ahead of you
If someone follows too closely, gradually slow down and add space in front of you so you can brake more gently if needed. When it is safe, move to another lane so the tailgater can pass.
Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, page 25
On average, how long does it take a driver to see a hazard and react to it before the brakes start working?
- A About a quarter of a second
- B About one and a half seconds
- C About three seconds
- D About five seconds
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B. About one and a half seconds
The average driver needs about 0.75 seconds to perceive a hazard and another 0.75 seconds to react, about 1.5 seconds in all. Your car keeps moving the whole time, which is why following distance matters.
Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, page 53