Idaho permit test: following distance & space
Following-distance rules, stopping distance and keeping a space cushion. 4 questions.
What following distance does the Idaho handbook give as the minimum in good conditions?
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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What following distance does the Idaho handbook give as the minimum in good conditions?
- A Two seconds
- B One car length per 10 mph
- C Three seconds
- D Five seconds
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C. Three seconds
Idaho teaches the three-second rule as the minimum safe following distance. Pick a fixed object, and when the car ahead passes it, count three seconds before you reach it.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, page 79
How should you change your following distance in bad weather?
- A Increase the three seconds several times over
- B Keep it at three seconds
- C Add exactly one second
- D Reduce it so you can see the car ahead better
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A. Increase the three seconds several times over
In bad weather, Idaho says to increase the three-second gap several times over for an extra margin of safety. Slick roads make stopping distances much longer.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, page 80
What following distance should you keep behind a motorcycle?
- A Exactly three seconds
- B More than three seconds
- C Two seconds, because motorcycles stop slowly
- D One car length
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B. More than three seconds
Allow more than three seconds behind a motorcycle. Riders may brake or swerve suddenly for gravel, debris or seams, and the extra space gives both of you time to react.
You are following an Idaho snowplow at 30 mph. How far back should you stay?
- A Two car lengths
- B Three car lengths
- C Ten car lengths
- D Six car lengths
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D. Six car lengths
Idaho advises staying two car lengths behind a snowplow for every 10 mph you drive, so 30 mph means six car lengths. Sand spread by trucks can damage your vehicle, and plows create blowing snow.