Tennessee permit test: following distance & space
Following-distance rules, stopping distance and keeping a space cushion. 4 questions.
In normal conditions, what is the minimum following distance recommended in the Tennessee manual?
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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In normal conditions, what is the minimum following distance recommended in the Tennessee manual?
- A 6 seconds
- B 2 seconds
- C 1 second
- D A car length per 20 mph
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B. 2 seconds
Count from when the car ahead passes a fixed point; you should not reach that point before "one-thousand-two." Increase the gap to at least four seconds at night, in bad weather, on the interstate, or behind a motorcycle.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, page 63
You are following a motorcycle on an interstate at night in the rain. What following distance does the manual recommend?
- A 1 car length
- B Exactly 2 seconds, as usual
- C At least 4 seconds
- D 3 seconds
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C. At least 4 seconds
Increase the two-second rule to a minimum of four seconds in bad weather, at higher interstate speeds, at night, and when following a motorcycle. The extra space gives you more time to react.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, page 63
You stop behind another vehicle at a light. How much space should you leave?
- A Close enough to touch its bumper
- B Enough to read its dashboard lights
- C Enough to see its rear tires where they meet the pavement
- D At least two full car lengths at all times
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C. Enough to see its rear tires where they meet the pavement
You should be able to see the license plate or the rear tires of the car ahead where they meet the pavement. The gap protects you if that car rolls back or stalls, and gives you room to escape a rear-end threat.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, page 64
Someone is tailgating you on a two-lane road with no right lane. What is the safest response?
- A Stop in the road and let them pass
- B When passing is legal, slowly reduce speed so they go around
- C Speed up to get away from them
- D Tap your brakes hard to warn them
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B. When passing is legal, slowly reduce speed so they go around
If there is a right lane, move over. If not, wait until passing is legal and the road ahead is clear, then slowly reduce your speed so the tailgater goes around. Never slow down quickly to punish them.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, page 108