Maine permit test: following distance & space
Following-distance rules, stopping distance and keeping a space cushion. 6 questions.
What minimum following distance does the Maine manual recommend?
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Sample following distance & space questions
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What minimum following distance does the Maine manual recommend?
- A 2 seconds
- B 3 seconds
- C 1 car length per 10 mph
- D 4 seconds
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D. 4 seconds
Keep at least 4 seconds between your car and the vehicle ahead. Count from when the car ahead passes a fixed point until you reach it, and add more time in bad conditions.
How should you change your following distance when driving at night?
- A Add at least one second
- B Keep it the same as in daylight
- C Cut it by a second to see the car ahead's lights
- D Double it to eight seconds every time
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A. Add at least one second
Increase your following distance by at least a second at night, and by at least two seconds on unfamiliar roads at night. Darkness limits how far you can see.
How long a gap in traffic do you need to merge or change lanes safely?
- A One second
- B Two seconds
- C Eight seconds
- D Four seconds
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D. Four seconds
Whenever you merge, change lanes or enter a highway, you need a four-second gap. That gives both you and the car behind you a safe following distance.
On snow or ice, how much more distance can it take to stop than on dry pavement?
- A About the same distance
- B About one and a half times as much
- C Three to twelve times as much
- D Twenty to thirty times as much
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C. Three to twelve times as much
On snow or ice it can take three to twelve times as much distance to stop as on dry pavement. Leave plenty of room and slow down well before you need to stop.