Louisiana permit test: following distance & space
Following-distance rules, stopping distance and keeping a space cushion. 5 questions.
The Louisiana driver's guide recommends a basic following distance of at least how many seconds in normal conditions?
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Sample following distance & space questions
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The Louisiana driver's guide recommends a basic following distance of at least how many seconds in normal conditions?
- A 6 seconds
- B 1 second
- C 3 seconds
- D 2 seconds
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C. 3 seconds
Louisiana teaches the three-second rule: when the car ahead passes a fixed object, count three seconds. If you reach the object before you finish counting, you are following too closely.
It is raining and the pavement is wet. What following distance does the handbook say to use?
- A At least 3 seconds
- B At least 4 seconds
- C At least 1 second per 10 mph
- D At least 2 seconds
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B. At least 4 seconds
Increase your following distance to four seconds in bad weather or on wet pavement. You need more room to stop on slippery roads if the car ahead brakes suddenly.
According to the handbook, about how far will a car travel before stopping from 50 mph, counting perception, reaction and braking?
- A About 158 feet in total
- B At least 268 feet
- C About 55 feet
- D About 123 feet
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B. At least 268 feet
At 50 mph, total stopping distance in ideal conditions is at least 268 feet, which includes perception, reaction and braking distance. Wet roads, worn tires or a tired driver make it longer.
When driving at night, how should you adjust your normal following distance?
- A Add at least one extra second
- B Keep the daytime distance
- C Add at least five extra seconds
- D Cut it in half
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A. Add at least one extra second
Add at least one extra second to your following distance at night, and at least two extra seconds on unfamiliar roads at night. Headlights limit how far you can see, so you need more time to react.