Vermont permit test: following distance & space
Following-distance rules, stopping distance and keeping a space cushion. 4 questions.
What following distance does the Vermont manual recommend in normal conditions?
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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What following distance does the Vermont manual recommend in normal conditions?
- A At least 2 seconds
- B At least 3 seconds
- C One car length per 10 mph
- D At least 4 seconds
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D. At least 4 seconds
Vermont teaches a 4-second following distance. Count from when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point until you reach it; if it is under four seconds, you are too close.
About how long does it take the average driver to apply the brakes after seeing danger?
- A About 1/4 of a second
- B About 3/4 of a second
- C About 2 seconds
- D About 4 seconds
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B. About 3/4 of a second
After seeing danger, the average driver takes about 3/4 of a second to apply the brakes. The distance traveled during that time is the reaction distance, and it grows with speed.
The Vermont manual compares stopping distances on dry pavement. About how far does a car travel to stop from 60 mph?
- A 75 feet
- B 120 feet
- C 240 feet
- D 400 feet
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C. 240 feet
The manual says a passenger car needs 240 feet to stop on dry pavement from 60 mph, compared with 75 feet from 30 mph. Doubling speed far more than doubles the stopping distance.
You are following a horse and rider on a Vermont road. What following distance should you keep?
- A At least 4 seconds
- B At least 2 seconds
- C At least 10 feet
- D At least 1 car length
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A. At least 4 seconds
When following a horse with a rider, a horse and wagon, or herded animals, leave at least 4 seconds. Never honk or rev your engine, which can startle the animals.