Pennsylvania · Safe Driving Practices · Question 1 of 8
The recommended following distance behind another vehicle in good conditions is at least:
- A. 1 second
- B. 3 seconds Correct answer
- C. 10 seconds
- D. 30 feet
Why this is the right answer
Use the three-second rule: pick a fixed object the car ahead passes, then count 'one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three.' If you reach it before three, you are too close.
How this question shows up on the Pennsylvania permit test
Questions in the safe driving practices category are common on the Pennsylvania learner permit exam. The exam tests your knowledge of the Pennsylvania Driver Handbook, and topics like this one show up in multiple forms: sometimes as a direct rule, sometimes as a real-world scenario, and sometimes as a "which of the following is NOT correct" question, which trips up readers who skim. Read every choice carefully and watch for the words "always," "never," and "only."
If you missed this question, do not just memorize the answer — re-read the explanation and try to put the rule in your own words. Study research consistently shows that explaining a rule out loud locks it in much better than rereading the same text.
For a deeper walkthrough of safe driving practices on the permit test, read our complete guide to Safe Driving Practices.