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Safety margins theory test questions
Stopping distances, gaps and speed. Tap a question to see the answer and why it is right. The app has 27 questions on this topic.
What is the typical overall stopping distance at 20 mph?
Answer: 12 metres (40 feet)
That is 6 m thinking distance plus 6 m braking distance, in good conditions.
That is 6 m thinking distance plus 6 m braking distance, in good conditions.
What is the typical overall stopping distance at 30 mph?
Answer: 23 metres (75 feet)
That is 9 m thinking distance plus 14 m braking distance.
That is 9 m thinking distance plus 14 m braking distance.
What is the typical overall stopping distance at 40 mph?
Answer: 36 metres (118 feet)
That is 12 m thinking distance plus 24 m braking distance.
That is 12 m thinking distance plus 24 m braking distance.
What is the typical overall stopping distance at 50 mph?
Answer: 53 metres (175 feet)
That is 15 m thinking distance plus 38 m braking distance.
That is 15 m thinking distance plus 38 m braking distance.
What is the typical overall stopping distance at 60 mph?
Answer: 73 metres (240 feet)
That is 18 m thinking distance plus 55 m braking distance.
That is 18 m thinking distance plus 55 m braking distance.
What is the typical overall stopping distance at 70 mph?
Answer: 96 metres (315 feet)
That is 21 m thinking distance plus 75 m braking distance, about 24 car lengths.
That is 21 m thinking distance plus 75 m braking distance, about 24 car lengths.
In good conditions, what is the minimum gap to leave behind the vehicle in front?
Answer: At least two seconds
Choose a fixed point. The vehicle ahead passes it, then you should reach it no sooner than two seconds later.
Choose a fixed point. The vehicle ahead passes it, then you should reach it no sooner than two seconds later.
How does the gap change on wet roads?
Answer: Double it, to at least four seconds
Stopping distances on wet roads are at least double those on dry roads.
Stopping distances on wet roads are at least double those on dry roads.
On icy roads, how much longer can stopping distances be?
Answer: Up to ten times longer
Reduce your speed a lot and leave a much bigger gap.
Reduce your speed a lot and leave a much bigger gap.
What happens to your braking distance if you double your speed?
Answer: It becomes about four times longer
Braking distance rises with the square of speed, so small speed increases make a big difference.
Braking distance rises with the square of speed, so small speed increases make a big difference.
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