Arkansas permit test: following distance & space
Following-distance rules, stopping distance and keeping a space cushion. 4 questions.
What minimum following distance does the Arkansas guide recommend in normal conditions?
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Sample following distance & space questions

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What minimum following distance does the Arkansas guide recommend in normal conditions?
- A At least 1 second behind the car ahead
- B One car length for every 20 mph
- C At least 10 seconds behind the car ahead
- D At least 2 seconds behind the car ahead
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D. At least 2 seconds behind the car ahead
Use the two-second rule: when the car ahead passes a fixed point, count 'one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two.' If you reach the point first, drop back. In bad conditions, increase to four seconds or more.
Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, page 71
When merging into another lane of traffic, what size gap does the Arkansas guide say you need?
- A About 1 second
- B About 2 seconds
- C About 10 seconds
- D About 4 seconds
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D. About 4 seconds
When merging, changing lanes or entering a road, look for a gap of about four seconds. Moving into the middle of it leaves about two seconds of space both in front of you and behind you.
Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, page 73
When driving on a highway or interstate, how far ahead should you be looking?
- A About one car length
- B About a quarter mile, or at least 15 seconds
- C About 2 seconds
- D Only as far as the car directly ahead
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B. About a quarter mile, or at least 15 seconds
Look at least one city block ahead in town and about one-quarter mile ahead on highways, which is at least 15 seconds of travel. Looking far ahead helps you avoid last-minute braking and sudden lane changes.
Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, page 60
Why should you leave extra space when stopped behind another car on a hill?
- A Your brakes work less well on hills
- B The car ahead may roll back when it starts
- C It lets cross traffic turn in front of you
- D Hills require a 4-second following distance by law
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B. The car ahead may roll back when it starts
Leave extra space when you are stopped on an incline, because the vehicle in front of you could roll back as it starts moving. A little room prevents a low-speed fender bender.
Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, page 71