Pennsylvania permit test: following distance & space
Following-distance rules, stopping distance and keeping a space cushion. 5 questions.
On dry pavement, what following distance does the Pennsylvania manual recommend?
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Sample following distance & space questions
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On dry pavement, what following distance does the Pennsylvania manual recommend?
- A At least 4 seconds
- B One car length per 10 mph
- C At least 3 seconds
- D At least 2 seconds
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A. At least 4 seconds
Pennsylvania teaches a 4-second following distance on dry pavement. Count from when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object until you reach it; under four seconds means you are too close.
The road is wet. By how much should you reduce your speed, and what following distance should you keep?
- A Keep your speed but double to 8 seconds
- B Slow by 5 to 10 mph and follow 5 to 6 seconds back
- C Slow by half and keep 10 seconds
- D Slow by 1 to 2 mph and keep 4 seconds
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B. Slow by 5 to 10 mph and follow 5 to 6 seconds back
On wet roads, reduce your speed by 5 to 10 mph and increase your following distance to 5 or 6 seconds. Wet pavement needs more distance to stop.
The manual says to increase your following distance when you lack an escape path of a certain width on at least one side of your car. What is that width?
- A 12 feet
- B 4 feet
- C 3 feet
- D 8 feet
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D. 8 feet
Space to the sides is your escape route. If you do not have at least eight feet on at least one side, make up for it by leaving more room in front.
How far ahead should you be able to identify problem situations while driving?
- A 1 to 2 seconds ahead
- B 4 to 5 seconds ahead
- C 12 to 15 seconds ahead
- D 30 to 40 seconds ahead
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C. 12 to 15 seconds ahead
Look far enough ahead to spot trouble 12 to 15 seconds away. That is about one block in the city or a quarter mile on the highway, and it gives you time to avoid last-minute moves.