Virginia permit test: following distance & space
Following-distance rules, stopping distance and keeping a space cushion. 5 questions.
On a dry road at 40 MPH, what minimum following distance does the Virginia manual recommend?
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Sample following distance & space questions
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On a dry road at 40 MPH, what minimum following distance does the Virginia manual recommend?
- A 1 second
- B 2 seconds
- C 3 seconds
- D 4 seconds
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C. 3 seconds
Virginia uses a 2-3-4 second rule on dry roads: 2 seconds under 35 MPH, 3 seconds at 35-45 MPH and 4 seconds at 46-70 MPH. Count from when the car ahead passes a fixed object until you reach it.
You are on a dry highway at 60 MPH. How far behind the vehicle ahead should you stay, according to the Virginia manual?
- A At least 2 seconds
- B At least 3 seconds
- C At least 4 seconds
- D At least 6 seconds
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C. At least 4 seconds
At 46-70 MPH on a dry road, keep at least 4 seconds behind the vehicle ahead. Higher speeds need more time to steer or brake out of trouble, and the manual warns these cushions do not work if you are speeding over 70.
How should you change your following distance when driving behind a motorcycle on a dry road?
- A Add an extra second to the normal rule
- B Cut it by a second because motorcycles are small
- C Use the normal rule, since motorcycles stop slowly
- D Stay exactly one car length behind
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A. Add an extra second to the normal rule
The manual says to add an extra second to your following distance behind a motorcycle, and to double that in bad weather. Riders may make sudden moves within the lane to avoid debris or rough pavement, so you need more braking room.
A driver is tailgating you. What does the Virginia manual recommend?
- A Speed up so that a larger gap opens between you and the tailgater
- B Move over if you can, or tap the brakes gently and slow down
- C Brake hard so the tailgater backs off
- D Stop on the shoulder until they pass
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B. Move over if you can, or tap the brakes gently and slow down
Do not brake suddenly when tailgated. Change lanes if you can, or tap your brakes gently to flash the brake lights and slow down, which encourages the tailgater to pass or back off.