Practical Driving Test Tips - Safe Distance
| Problem | Reason | Solution |
| You are / were driving too close to the car in front | Because you thought you had enough time and space to stop | Use the two second rule to ensure there is sufficient space -don’t guess it |
| You are / were driving too close to the car in front | Because you didn’t realise what the correct and safe distance should be | Allow a metre for each mph you’re travelling at: 40 metres at 40mph and so on. Use the two second rule to judge this |
| You are / were driving too close to the car in front | Because you didn’t take the weather conditions into account | Leave at least double the distance in wet weather and up to ten times the distance in snow / ice |
| You are / were driving too close to the car in front | Because you were unable to judge the distance correctly | Advise pupils by getting them to reduce speed until the correct distance is achieved. Another method, with the car parked, is to get the pupil to pick out a landmark they think is 40m or so distant. Then point out a landmark that is 40m away to illustrate |
| You are / were driving too close to the car in front | Because you’re mesmerised by the car in front and are being ‘pulled’ along in a follow my leader style | Look further ahead than the car in front and plan how road features will affect speed / braking, and so on |
| You’ve stopped too close to the car in front | Because you didn’t know / forgot what the gap should be | Leave a gap of about half a car length you can do this by using the ‘tyres and tarmac’ guide. From your stopped position you should be able to see the rear tyres and some tarmac between your car and the one in front |
| You’ve stopped too close to the car in front | Because you can’t physically see enough - you’re seated too low in the car | Use the seat height adjuster / seat-back adjuster and / or cushion(s) to enable you to get a better view |