Kentucky permit test: following distance & space
Following-distance rules, stopping distance and keeping a space cushion. 5 questions.
What minimum following distance does the Kentucky manual recommend behind the vehicle ahead?
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Sample following distance & space questions
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What minimum following distance does the Kentucky manual recommend behind the vehicle ahead?
- A 3 seconds
- B 2 seconds
- C 4 seconds
- D 1 car length per 10 mph
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C. 4 seconds
Kentucky recommends keeping at least 4 seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. Count from when its rear passes a fixed point; if you reach that point before "one thousand four," you are too close.
Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, page 59
You are driving at night on an unfamiliar road. How much should you add to your normal following distance?
- A At least five additional seconds
- B At least two additional seconds
- C At least one additional second
- D Nothing, if your high beams are on
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B. At least two additional seconds
Add at least one second to your following distance at night and at least two seconds when driving unfamiliar roads at night. Darkness shortens how far you can see, so you need more time to react.
Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, page 76
In which situation should you increase your following distance beyond the minimum?
- A When traffic ahead is moving well under the posted speed limit
- B When following a small car in clear daylight
- C When following a school bus or a hazardous-materials truck
- D When the road is dry and traffic is light
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C. When following a school bus or a hazardous-materials truck
Increase your following distance behind vehicles that must stop at railroad crossings, such as school buses, transit buses and hazardous-materials trucks. Also add space on slippery roads, behind large vehicles and motorcycles, and at night or in bad weather.
Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, page 59
At 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, about how far does the braking part of a stop take?
- A About 50 feet
- B About 500 feet
- C About 158 feet
- D About 335 feet
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C. About 158 feet
Braking distance is only one part of stopping. At 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, braking alone takes about 158 feet, and perception and reaction time add even more distance.
Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, page 59