California Permit Test Coach
Safe drivingQuestion 163 of 229

Which rule helps you keep a safe following distance?

  1. The one-car-length rule
  2. The five-second rule
  3. The ten-foot rule
  4. The three-second rule
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Correct answer: The three-second rule

The handbook tells you to use the three-second rule. It gives you time to react if another driver makes a mistake.

Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, California DMV, 2025), Section 8. Safe Driving: Tailgating (Following Too Closely), page 57

Practice safe driving

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026