Stopping distances quiz

Eight questions on following distances and stopping distances, from Highway Code rule 126 and the rules for bad weather.

Checked against GOV.UK · Report a mistake

Stopping distances quiz

Pick an answer to see straight away if you’re right, with the reason and the rule it comes from. Your score shows at the end. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Question 1 of 8

  1. Your view ahead gets shorter on a winding road. How should you choose your speed?

    • To keep up with the car behind
    • To match the speed limit
    • To stop within the distance you can see Right
    • To get round the bends quickly

    The right answer is C: To stop within the distance you can see

    WhyDrive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 126

    Report this question

  2. On a high-speed road in good conditions, what is the smallest gap to leave behind the vehicle in front?

    • One second
    • Two seconds Right
    • Three seconds
    • Four seconds

    The right answer is B: Two seconds

    WhyAllow at least a two-second gap on high-speed roads and in tunnels where visibility is reduced.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 126

    Report this question

  3. You were keeping a two-second gap and it starts to rain. What gap should you now leave, at least?

    • Two seconds
    • Three seconds
    • Four seconds Right
    • One second

    The right answer is C: Four seconds

    WhyThe gap should be at least doubled on wet roads.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 126

    Report this question

  4. In the Highway Code chart, what is the typical overall stopping distance at 30 mph?

    • 12 metres
    • 23 metres Right
    • 36 metres
    • 53 metres

    The right answer is B: 23 metres

    Why9 metres of thinking distance plus 14 metres of braking distance: 23 metres, about six car lengths.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 126

    Report this question

  5. In the same chart, what is the typical thinking distance at 70 mph?

    • 9 metres
    • 15 metres
    • 21 metres Right
    • 75 metres

    The right answer is C: 21 metres

    WhyThinking distance goes up by 3 metres for every 10 mph: 21 metres at 70 mph. Braking adds 75 metres, for 96 metres in total.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 126

    Report this question

  6. How much greater can stopping distances be on icy or snowy roads than on dry roads?

    • Twice as great
    • Five times as great
    • Ten times as great Right
    • No greater

    The right answer is C: Ten times as great

    WhyIn icy or snowy weather, stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 230

    Report this question

  7. In fog, why should you not trust the rear lights of the car in front to tell you your gap is safe?

    • They can give a false sense of security Right
    • They are always too bright
    • They are not allowed in fog
    • They hide the road signs

    The right answer is A: They can give a false sense of security

    WhyKeep a safe distance: rear lights can give a false sense of security. Be able to pull up well within the distance you can see clearly.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 235

    Report this question

  8. Traffic stops while you are in a tunnel. What is the smallest gap to leave to the vehicle in front?

    • 1 metre
    • 2 metres
    • 5 metres Right
    • 10 metres

    The right answer is C: 5 metres

    WhyIf you have to stop in a tunnel, leave at least a 5-metre gap between you and the vehicle in front.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 126

    Report this question

Your first full mock test in the app is free.

Each topic's level is free in the app. Pro lets you practise every topic as much as you like.

In the app, questions you miss come back until you get them right. 5 questions a day are free.

62 free questions on this website and 372 in the app, checked against The Highway Code, with the reason for every answer. About the app

Out now on iPhone and Android.

These are our own practice questions, written from The Highway Code. They are not questions from the DVSA theory test. How we write and check them.

For any you got wrong, open the rule linked in the answer and read it once more. The Highway Code is one of the three books the theory test’s multiple-choice questions are based on (GOV.UK). Ready for more? Practise theory test questions by topic or take the 50-question timed practice quiz.

Keep going

Play it as a race

These questions work best out loud: one person reads, everyone else answers. In the Drivoku app the same kind of question appears on everyone’s phone at once, and faster right answers score more. How a Drivoku game works.

Sources

(5)
  1. The Highway Code, rule 126, GOV.UK
  2. The Highway Code, rule 230, GOV.UK
  3. The Highway Code, rule 235, GOV.UK
  4. Typical stopping distances (PDF), The Highway Code, GOV.UK
  5. Theory test: revision and practice, GOV.UK

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.