Colorado permit test: following distance & space
Following-distance rules, stopping distance and keeping a space cushion. 4 questions.
Under normal conditions, what following-distance rule does the Colorado handbook recommend?
Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.
Sample following distance & space questions
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Under normal conditions, what following-distance rule does the Colorado handbook recommend?
- A The ten-second rule
- B The three-second rule
- C The two-car-length rule
- D The one-second rule
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B. The three-second rule
Under normal conditions, use the three-second rule. When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, count one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three. If you reach the point first, you are too close.
You are stopped behind another vehicle in traffic. How can you tell you have left enough space?
- A You can see its rear tires touching the ground
- B Your bumper is about one foot from its bumper
- C You can see its brake lights
- D You can read its license plate clearly
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A. You can see its rear tires touching the ground
When stopped behind another vehicle, you are at an adequate distance if you can see the rear wheels of the vehicle in front touching the ground. This is the handbook's simple check for not stopping too close.
How often should you check your rearview mirror while driving?
- A Every 30 seconds
- B Only when you change lanes
- C Every 1 to 2 seconds
- D Every 5 to 8 seconds
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D. Every 5 to 8 seconds
Check traffic behind you every 5 to 8 seconds, and more often in heavy traffic. This is the only way to know if someone is following too closely or coming up too fast.
How far ahead should you look while driving to avoid last-minute braking?
- A Just to the vehicle in front of you
- B At least 3 seconds ahead
- C At least 10 seconds ahead
- D About 1 second ahead
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C. At least 10 seconds ahead
Look at least 10 seconds ahead: about one block in the city or half a mile on the open road. Looking ahead lets you avoid last-minute braking and keep traffic moving.