Delaware permit test: following distance & space
Following-distance rules, stopping distance and keeping a space cushion. 4 questions.
Under normal conditions, what is the minimum following distance the Delaware Driver Manual teaches?
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 is the minimum following distance the Delaware Driver Manual teaches?
- A One second
- B Two seconds
- C Three seconds
- D One car length per 10 mph
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C. Three seconds
Use the three-second rule: when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, count; if you reach it before three seconds, drop back. It works at any speed.
Source: Delaware Driver Manual, page 128
When does the handbook say you may need a four-second following distance?
- A Only on roads posted at 65 mph
- B Whenever you are driving in a city
- C Only when someone is tailgating you
- D On slippery roads or when following a motorcycle
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D. On slippery roads or when following a motorcycle
You may need four seconds on slippery roads, behind motorcycles, behind large vehicles, when towing, in poor visibility, when being tailgated, and near railroad crossings. Extra space buys extra time to stop.
Source: Delaware Driver Manual, page 128
What following distance does the Delaware manual recommend behind a motorcycle at speeds above 40 mph?
- A A two-second count
- B A four-second count
- C A one-second count
- D A six-second count
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B. A four-second count
Follow a motorcycle by at least a two-second count under 40 mph and a four-second count above 40 mph. Motorcycles can stop quickly, so increase the gap further when the road is wet.
Source: Delaware Driver Manual, page 100
A driver is tailgating you on a two-lane road with no right lane. What should you do?
- A Wait until the road is clear, then slowly reduce speed
- B Tap your brakes hard to warn them off
- C Speed up to put distance between you
- D Stop in your lane until they go around
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A. Wait until the road is clear, then slowly reduce speed
If there is a right lane, move over. If not, wait until the road ahead is clear and slow down gradually, which encourages the tailgater to pass. Never slow down quickly to punish a tailgater.
Source: Delaware Driver Manual, page 129