--- title: "Stopping Distances Quiz: 45 Free Theory Questions" url: https://www.thelicensedesk.com/theory-test/safety-margins/practice-test/ updated: 2026-09-26 --- > Source: https://www.thelicensedesk.com/theory-test/safety-margins/practice-test/ — last reviewed 2026-09-26. Markdown version generated at build time from the same content the page serves. Free · 50 questions in the real test · Pass mark 43/50 # Stopping Distances quiz: 45 free theory test questions DVSA-style multiple-choice questions with explained answers and Highway Code references. The real test is 50 questions in 57 minutes — you need 43 correct to pass. Quick answer Below is a free Safety Margins mock test for the UK DVSA car theory test: multiple-choice questions in the official four-option format, each with the correct answer, a plain-English explanation and a Highway Code reference. Stopping distances, weather conditions, skids and keeping space around your car. ## Safety Margins practice questions Checked against [The Highway Code](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code) as amended 22 October 2025 · last reviewed 26 September 2026. Spotted an error? [Report it](/corrections/). Or study below: tap any question to see its options, answer and Highway Code rule. **Q1. In good, dry conditions, what time gap should you leave to the vehicle in front?** A. At least two seconds B. Exactly one car length C. Half a second D. Ten seconds at all speeds **Answer: A.** Leave at least a two-second gap in dry conditions — double it to four in the wet, and up to ten times the distance in ice and snow. Pick a fixed point and count as the vehicle ahead passes it. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126 **Q2. What is the typical overall stopping distance at 30 mph in good conditions?** A. 6 metres B. 14 metres C. 23 metres — about six car lengths D. 53 metres **Answer: C.** At 30 mph the typical stopping distance is 23 metres: 9 metres thinking distance plus 14 metres braking distance. Speed, tiredness, weather and tyre condition all stretch it further. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126, Typical stopping distances **Q3. Your steering suddenly feels light while driving in heavy rain. What's happening and what should you do?** A. A puncture — brake hard immediately B. Aquaplaning — ease off the accelerator and don't brake until grip returns C. Ice on the road — change up a gear D. Nothing unusual — continue normally **Answer: B.** Light steering in standing water means your tyres are riding on the water's surface. Ease gently off the accelerator, keep the steering straight and avoid braking until the tyres grip again. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 227 **Q4. What is the typical overall stopping distance at 70 mph in good, dry conditions?** A. 53 metres B. 73 metres C. 96 metres — about 24 car lengths D. 120 metres **Answer: C.** At 70 mph you typically need 96 metres to stop: 21 metres of thinking distance plus 75 metres of braking distance. That's why motorway following gaps matter so much. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126, Typical stopping distances **Q5. How should your following gap change in heavy rain?** A. No change if you have modern tyres B. At least double it — leave a four-second gap, because stopping distances at least double in the wet C. Halve it so you can see past spray D. Only slow down if you can see standing water **Answer: B.** Wet roads at least double stopping distances. Doubling the two-second rule to four seconds restores your safety margin — and eases the spray problem too. Reference: The Highway Code — rules 126 and 227 **Q6. What is the typical thinking distance at 50 mph?** A. 9 metres B. 15 metres C. 24 metres D. 38 metres **Answer: B.** Thinking distance is roughly one foot per mph — 15 metres at 50 mph — before the brakes even begin to work. Add the 38-metre braking distance for a 53-metre total. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126, Typical stopping distances **Q7. Why is coasting downhill (clutch down or in neutral) dangerous?** A. It wears out the clutch B. You lose engine braking, the car gathers speed, and steering and braking control are reduced C. It uses more fuel D. It's only dangerous above 40 mph **Answer: B.** Coasting disconnects the engine's retarding force just when you need it most. Speed builds, the brakes carry the whole load and can fade, and the car is less stable through bends. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 122 **Q8. You're driving through a contraflow at roadworks. What should you do?** A. Overtake to get through quickly B. Reduce speed, obey the temporary limit, and keep a safe gap from the vehicle ahead C. Straddle two lanes for a better view D. Use hazard lights throughout **Answer: B.** Contraflows mean narrower lanes than normal, with no permanent barrier between you and oncoming traffic. Get into the correct lane in good time, observe the temporary limit, and keep a safe gap — increasing it at the start and end of the contraflow. Reference: The Highway Code — rules 288–290 **Q9. What is the typical overall stopping distance for a car at 20 mph?** A. 12 metres B. 18 metres C. 23 metres D. 36 metres **Answer: A.** The Highway Code chart gives 6 metres thinking distance plus 6 metres braking distance at 20 mph — 12 metres in total, or about three car lengths. 23 metres is the figure for 30 mph, and 36 metres for 40 mph. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126, Typical stopping distances **Q10. What is the typical overall stopping distance at 40 mph in good conditions?** A. 18 metres B. 24 metres C. 36 metres D. 53 metres **Answer: C.** At 40 mph the chart gives 12 metres thinking distance plus 24 metres braking distance — 36 metres overall, or about nine car lengths. Don't confuse the total with the 24-metre braking part on its own. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126, Typical stopping distances **Q11. What is the typical overall stopping distance at 60 mph in good conditions?** A. 38 metres B. 53 metres C. 55 metres D. 73 metres **Answer: D.** The chart gives 73 metres at 60 mph: 18 metres thinking distance plus 55 metres braking distance, or about eighteen car lengths. 55 metres is only the braking part, and 53 metres is the overall figure for 50 mph. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126, Typical stopping distances **Q12. At 30 mph a car's typical braking distance is 14 metres. What does the Highway Code chart give as the braking distance at 60 mph?** A. 28 metres B. 55 metres C. 73 metres D. 96 metres **Answer: B.** Doubling your speed from 30 to 60 mph takes the typical braking distance from 14 to 55 metres — roughly four times as far, not twice. 73 metres is the overall stopping distance at 60 mph, once the 18-metre thinking distance is added. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126, Typical stopping distances **Q13. What does 'thinking distance' mean?** A. The distance your car travels from first pressing the brake pedal until it stops B. The gap you should leave between you and the vehicle in front C. The distance at which you can first see a hazard ahead D. The distance you travel between deciding to brake and pressing the pedal **Answer: D.** DVSA defines thinking distance as the distance you travel from when you decide you need to brake to when you actually press the brake pedal. Braking distance follows, until the car stops completely; together they make up your overall stopping distance. Reference: Safe Driving for Life (DVSA) — Stopping, parking and reversing **Q14. You're driving home after a very long, tiring day. Which part of your stopping distance is most likely to increase?** A. Your thinking distance B. Your braking distance only C. Neither — only speed affects stopping distance D. Only the distance needed on wet roads **Answer: A.** The Highway Code chart notes that stopping distances depend on your attention (thinking distance), the road surface, the weather and your vehicle's condition. Tiredness slows your reactions, so you travel further before you even begin to brake. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126, Typical stopping distances **Q15. According to the Highway Code, what's the safe rule for how close to get to the vehicle in front?** A. One car length for every 10 mph you're travelling at B. Close enough to read its number plate clearly C. Never closer than your overall stopping distance D. Never closer than 10 metres, whatever your speed **Answer: C.** Rule 126: leave enough space to pull up safely if the vehicle in front suddenly slows or stops — the safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance. A fixed distance ignores speed, and stopping distances grow rapidly as speed rises. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126 **Q16. The Highway Code's stopping distance chart converts metres into 'car lengths'. What average car length does it use?** A. 2 metres B. 2.5 metres C. 3 metres D. 4 metres **Answer: D.** The chart is based on an average car length of 4 metres (13 feet). That's how 23 metres at 30 mph becomes about six car lengths, and 96 metres at 70 mph becomes about twenty-four car lengths. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126, Typical stopping distances **Q17. On an icy road, how much bigger may the gap to the vehicle in front need to be compared with a dry road?** A. About twice as big B. About four times as big C. Up to ten times as big D. No bigger, if you have winter tyres **Answer: C.** Rule 126 says the gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and up to ten times greater on icy roads. Rule 230 confirms that stopping distances in icy or snowy weather can be ten times greater than on dry roads. Reference: The Highway Code — rules 126 and 230 **Q18. You're following a car on a dry road. It passes a road sign, and you reach the same sign before you've counted two seconds. What should you do?** A. Ease off and drop back to at least a two-second gap B. Nothing — you're at a safe distance C. Overtake the car at the first opportunity D. Flash your headlights so the driver knows to speed up **Answer: A.** Rule 126 suggests using a fixed point such as a sign to measure a two-second gap. Reaching the point before two seconds have passed means you're too close — ease off and let the gap open up. On wet roads, allow at least double. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126 **Q19. What minimum gap to the vehicle in front does the Highway Code recommend when driving through a tunnel?** A. At least one second B. At least 5 metres C. At least ten car lengths D. At least two seconds **Answer: D.** Rule 126 says allow at least a two-second gap on high-speed roads and in tunnels, where visibility is reduced. The 5-metre figure applies only when you've had to stop in a tunnel, not while you're moving. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126 **Q20. At 20 mph, how does the typical thinking distance compare with the typical braking distance?** A. Thinking distance is about half the braking distance B. They're the same — 6 metres each C. Thinking distance is twice the braking distance D. Braking distance is about four times as long **Answer: B.** The Highway Code chart gives 6 metres thinking distance and 6 metres braking distance at 20 mph, making 12 metres overall. As speed rises, braking distance grows much faster than thinking distance, so it makes up more and more of the total. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126, Typical stopping distances **Q21. What gap does the Highway Code advise drivers of large vehicles to leave to the vehicle in front in a tunnel?** A. One second B. Two seconds C. Three seconds D. Four seconds **Answer: D.** Rule 126 reminds you that large vehicles need a greater distance to stop, so if you're driving a large vehicle in a tunnel you should allow a four-second gap — double the two-second minimum that applies to other traffic. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126 **Q22. Which vehicles does the Highway Code say need a greater distance to stop?** A. Large vehicles and motorcycles B. Electric and hybrid cars C. Small hatchbacks and car-derived vans D. Cars with automatic gearboxes **Answer: A.** Rule 126 reminds drivers that large vehicles and motorcycles need a greater distance to stop. Bear this in mind before pulling into the space in front of one — if you then brake, it may not be able to pull up as quickly as you. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 126 **Q23. Apart from your speed, which of these affects how far your car travels once you've started braking?** A. How tired or distracted you are at the time B. The colour of your car and its number plate C. The road surface, the weather and your tyres D. How many years you've held a full driving licence **Answer: C.** Braking distance runs from pressing the pedal until the car stops. The chart notes that stopping distances depend on the road surface, the weather and the condition of your vehicle, and rule 227 explains that stopping takes longer in the wet because your tyres have less grip. Tiredness affects thinking distance instead. Reference: The Highway Code — rules 126 and 227, Typical stopping distances **Q24. You've just overtaken a slower vehicle on a single carriageway. When should you move back to the left?** A. As soon as you can, but without cutting in B. Immediately, even if it means pulling in close in front of it C. Only when you're at least half a mile ahead of the vehicle D. Stay on the right until the next junction **Answer: A.** Rule 163: once you've started to overtake, move quickly past the vehicle, allow plenty of room, and move back to the left as soon as you can — but don't cut in. Cutting in leaves the other driver without a safe gap in front. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 163 **Q25. You're in slow-moving, stop-start traffic. How should you manage the gap to the vehicle in front?** A. Keep a full two-second gap at all times, even at walking pace B. Close right up, almost touching bumpers, to keep the traffic flowing C. Leave a gap only when there's a cyclist nearby D. Reduce the gap, but leave room to stop and to steer round a problem **Answer: D.** Rule 151: in slow-moving traffic, reduce the distance to the vehicle ahead to maintain traffic flow, but never get so close that you can't stop safely. Leave enough space to manoeuvre if the vehicle in front breaks down or an emergency vehicle needs to get past. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 151 **Q26. Why can following another vehicle's rear lights in fog be risky?** A. They can give a false sense of security B. Rear lights aren't bright enough to be seen in fog C. It's illegal to follow another vehicle in fog D. Their glare switches off your automatic headlights **Answer: A.** Rule 235: in fog keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front, because rear lights can give a false sense of security. Sitting close behind them leaves you no time to react if that vehicle has to stop suddenly. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 235 **Q27. Why does the Highway Code ask you to take extra care near cyclists and motorcyclists at road works?** A. They're allowed to ride through coned-off areas B. They must dismount at all road works C. They may skid on grit, mud or other debris D. They're exempt from temporary speed limits **Answer: C.** Rule 288 warns that cyclists and motorcyclists are vulnerable to skidding on grit, mud or other debris at road works. Give them extra room and be ready for a sudden change of course as they pass through the works. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 288 **Q28. How does keeping a generous gap to the vehicle in front help you avoid skidding?** A. It keeps your tyres cooler, so they grip much better B. It means your ABS never needs to operate C. It gives you room to swerve sharply at the last moment D. It lets you brake early and gently instead of harshly **Answer: D.** Rule 119 says skids are usually caused by braking, accelerating or steering too harshly, or driving too fast for the conditions. A bigger gap gives you time to brake early and lightly, as rule 117 recommends, instead of needing a sudden, harsh stop. Reference: The Highway Code — rules 117 and 119 **Q29. Your car has a forward collision warning system. How should you use it to keep a safe gap?** A. As an aid only — keep a safe gap yourself and don't rely on it B. Let it judge how closely you can follow, as it reacts faster than you C. Switch it off, as it isn't allowed on UK roads D. Follow more closely, since it will brake for you **Answer: A.** Rule 150 says don't rely on driver assistance systems — they're there to assist, and you remain responsible for the vehicle. DVSA's advice on tailgating is to use collision warnings but not rely on them, and to drive within the rules rather than to the limits of the technology. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 150 **Q30. Temporary traffic lights at road works show red, but you can see nothing coming the other way. What must you do?** A. Proceed carefully, as the road is clearly empty B. Flash your headlights and go if nobody objects C. Sound your horn and then go through slowly D. Wait until the light turns green **Answer: D.** Rule 109: you MUST obey all traffic light signals, including temporary ones. Know Your Traffic Signs explains that portable signals at road works control 'shuttle working', letting each direction through in turn — usually with a sign, rather than a stop line, showing where to stop. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 109 **Q31. At road works you see red and white signs marking a works access point. What should you do?** A. Follow any works vehicle into the site to get past the queue B. Speed up to pass the access before a vehicle comes out C. Don't follow works vehicles in, and watch for any coming out D. Stop and wait at the access until a worker waves you on **Answer: C.** Know Your Traffic Signs explains that red and white signs mark where works vehicles enter or leave the site. Take care not to follow works vehicles in, and keep a lookout for vehicles leaving — they're likely to be moving more slowly than other traffic. Reference: Know Your Traffic Signs — Road works and temporary situations **Q32. You're in a slow queue through road works, and the lane next to you is moving slightly faster. What does the Highway Code advise?** A. Switch lanes whenever the other lane is faster B. Don't switch lanes to overtake queuing traffic C. Use the coned-off area to get ahead D. Straddle both lanes so you can take either **Answer: B.** Rule 288: at road works, get into the correct lane in good time as signs direct, and don't switch lanes to overtake queuing traffic. Don't drive through an area marked off by traffic cones, either. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 288 **Q33. At night, you see road danger lights set out beside cones at road works. What do they show?** A. Where you may park while the works are closed B. That the road works have finished C. Where works vehicles are allowed to overtake queuing traffic D. The limits of a temporary obstruction in the road **Answer: D.** Know Your Traffic Signs explains that at night or in poor daytime visibility, road danger lights may be used as well as cones to mark the limits of a temporary obstruction of the carriageway. Keep a safe distance and don't drive through the coned-off area. Reference: Know Your Traffic Signs — Road works and temporary situations **Q34. A temporary speed limit is signed through road works. How must you treat it?** A. As a legal maximum you must not exceed B. As advice only — you may go faster if no one is working C. As applying only when workers can be seen D. As a minimum speed to keep traffic moving **Answer: A.** Rule 288: you MUST NOT exceed any temporary maximum speed limit at road works. The limit applies whether or not you can see anyone working, and DVSA points out that road works on major routes often have average speed cameras. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 288 **Q35. You're joining a motorway at a junction inside a road works area. Why should you take extra care?** A. Slip roads are always closed while road works are in progress B. You must stop at the end of the slip road C. The usual merge or lane layout may be temporarily changed D. Temporary speed limits don't apply to vehicles on the slip roads **Answer: C.** Know Your Traffic Signs explains that where slip roads join or leave within a road works site, the permanent arrangement for lane drop, lane gain and traffic merge may be temporarily changed. Look out for signs showing the temporary layout and adjust your speed and position. Reference: Know Your Traffic Signs — Road works and temporary situations **Q36. In normal conditions, how should you use the controls as you approach and drive round a bend?** A. Brake hard in the middle of the bend if it's tighter than expected B. Coast round in neutral to keep the car balanced C. Keep accelerating into the bend and brake on the way out D. Slow down on the approach, select a gear, then accelerate gently **Answer: D.** DVSA advises using the footbrake to control your speed as you approach a bend, choosing the correct gear for that speed, using the accelerator carefully and steering to hold the correct line. On icy roads, rule 231 says brake progressively on the straight before the bend. Reference: Safe Driving for Life (DVSA) — Driving around bends **Q37. Why should you keep a good distance from the vehicle in front in the narrow lanes through road works?** A. So you can clearly see the edges of the lane ahead B. So speed cameras can read your number plate C. Because narrow lanes through works have a minimum speed D. So works vehicles can pull in between you **Answer: A.** Rule 290: lanes through road works may be narrower than normal and marked by studs or temporary road markings. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and make sure you can clearly see the edges of the lane ahead. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 290 **Q38. You see a 'Road Works Ahead' sign. What does the Highway Code advise?** A. Speed up to get through before the works start B. Take extra care and look out for more specific signs C. Ignore it unless you can see workers D. Switch on your hazard lights until the works end **Answer: B.** Rule 288: when the 'Road Works Ahead' sign is displayed, take extra care and look for additional signs providing more specific instructions. Observe all signs — they're there for your safety and the safety of road workers. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 288 **Q39. In wet weather, which road users does the Highway Code say you should take extra care around?** A. Lorries and coaches, because of their spray B. Other car drivers who haven't switched their headlights on C. Tractors and other slow farm vehicles on rural roads D. Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders **Answer: D.** Rule 227 includes taking extra care around pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders as part of driving in wet weather. Rain and spray make it harder to see and be seen, and stopping distances are at least double those on dry roads. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 227 **Q40. Signs on your usual route warn of road works starting next week, with delays expected. How should you use this information?** A. Allow extra time or plan an alternative route for those days B. Ignore it until you actually reach the works C. Plan to drive faster on the rest of the route to make up the time D. Use the hard shoulder to bypass any queues **Answer: A.** Know Your Traffic Signs explains that signs about current or future road works give you the chance to allow more time, use alternative routes or make other arrangements. Planning ahead means you're less tempted to rush and eat into your safety margins. Reference: Know Your Traffic Signs — Road works and temporary situations **Q41. What does an 'End of road works' sign tell you?** A. Road works start again after the next junction B. You may now use the hard shoulder as a lane C. The works and any temporary restrictions, including speed limits, have ended D. Only the lane closures have finished; the temporary speed limit still applies **Answer: C.** Know Your Traffic Signs explains that the 'End of road works' sign marks the end of the works and any associated temporary restrictions, including speed limits. A sign showing the permanent limit may also be used beyond the works. Reference: Know Your Traffic Signs — Road works and temporary situations **Q42. What should you concentrate on while driving past road works?** A. Watching the workers to see what they're doing B. The road ahead and the traffic around you C. Reading signs about future works in the area D. Your sat nav, to find a quicker route **Answer: B.** Rule 288: concentrate on the road ahead, not the road works. Bear in mind the road ahead may be obstructed by the works or by slow-moving or stationary traffic, and don't drive through an area marked off by traffic cones. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 288 **Q43. Traffic is queuing across a level crossing ahead, and the barriers are up. What should you do?** A. Drive onto the crossing and wait there for the queue to move B. Follow the car in front closely so you clear the crossing together C. Sound your horn to get the queue to move up D. Wait until there's space for you beyond the crossing **Answer: D.** Rule 291: never drive onto a level crossing until the road is clear on the other side, and don't get too close to the car in front. Never stop or park on, or near, a crossing. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 291 **Q44. You park a manual car facing uphill beside a kerb. How should you leave the steering and gears?** A. Wheels turned towards the kerb, in reverse gear B. Wheels pointing straight ahead, with the gearbox in neutral C. Wheels turned away from the kerb, in a forward gear D. Wheels turned away from the kerb, in neutral **Answer: C.** Rule 252: facing uphill, park close to the kerb, apply the handbrake firmly, select a forward gear and turn your steering wheel away from the kerb. DVSA explains that using the wheels and engine this way helps stop the car rolling away if the parking brake fails. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 252 **Q45. You've parked a manual car facing downhill. Which combination helps stop it rolling away if the parking brake fails?** A. First gear, with the wheels turned away from the kerb B. Reverse gear, with the wheels turned towards the kerb C. Neutral, with the wheels pointing straight ahead D. Reverse gear, with the wheels turned away from the kerb **Answer: B.** Rule 252: facing downhill, select reverse gear and turn your steering wheel towards the kerb. DVSA explains that if the car does roll, it will steer into the kerb and stop. In a car with an automatic gearbox, use 'park'. Reference: The Highway Code — rule 252 ## Frequently asked questions **### How many Safety Margins questions are in the real theory test?** The DVSA doesn't publish per-topic counts. Your 50 questions are drawn across all 14 official topics, so revise every category. **### What is the pass mark for the UK theory test?** You need 43 out of 50 multiple-choice questions correct (86%), plus 44 out of 75 on the hazard perception clips. You must pass both parts in the same sitting. **### Are these real DVSA questions?** No — these are original practice questions written to the current DVSA syllabus and The Highway Code. Official revision questions are Crown Copyright and only available from licensed providers. ## Revise the other theory test topics Your 50 test questions are drawn from all 14 official DVSA topics — revise every category, not just this one. - [Alertness](/theory-test/alertness/practice-test/) - [Attitude](/theory-test/attitude/practice-test/) - [Essential Documents](/theory-test/essential-documents/practice-test/) - [Hazard Awareness](/theory-test/hazard-awareness/practice-test/) - [Incidents, Accidents & Emergencies](/theory-test/incidents-accidents-emergencies/practice-test/) - [Motorway Rules](/theory-test/motorway-rules/practice-test/) - [Other Types of Vehicle](/theory-test/other-types-of-vehicle/practice-test/) - [Road & Traffic Signs](/theory-test/road-and-traffic-signs/practice-test/) - [Rules of the Road](/theory-test/rules-of-the-road/practice-test/) - [Safety & Your Vehicle](/theory-test/safety-and-your-vehicle/practice-test/) - [Vehicle Handling](/theory-test/vehicle-handling/practice-test/) - [Vehicle Loading](/theory-test/vehicle-loading/practice-test/) - [Vulnerable Road Users](/theory-test/vulnerable-road-users/practice-test/) Don't forget part two: read [how hazard perception is scored](/hazard-perception/). Booked your test? Find your [nearest theory test centre](/theory-test-centres/), or book on the official [GOV.UK booking service](https://www.gov.uk/book-theory-test) (£23). All practice questions are original study material written to the current DVSA car theory test syllabus and The Highway Code. They are not actual DVSA exam questions. This site is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the DVSA.