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Following Distance
What you need to know
Keep a safe following distance — a two-second gap at minimum, longer in poor weather. In the official Ontario tests, questions on this topic come from the Ministry of Transportation's Driver's Handbook (for cars) and Motorcycle Handbook (for riders).
Sample practice questions
What is the minimum safe following distance under normal conditions on a dry road?
- At least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead
- One car length regardless of speed
- Ten metres at all speeds
- Only enough room to see the rear bumper
💡 Under normal conditions you should stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead, and increase that gap in poor conditions or at higher speeds.
Why should you increase your following distance on wet or icy roads?
- Stopping distances are longer on slippery surfaces
- It makes your signal lights more visible
- It keeps your engine cool
- It prevents your tires from wearing out
💡 Wet and icy surfaces increase stopping distances, so a larger following distance is needed to stay safe.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the minimum safe following distance under normal conditions on a dry road?
- At least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead Under normal conditions you should stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead, and increase that gap in poor conditions or at higher speeds.
- Why should you increase your following distance on wet or icy roads?
- Stopping distances are longer on slippery surfaces Wet and icy surfaces increase stopping distances, so a larger following distance is needed to stay safe.
More questions on Following Distance and every other topic live in the G1 practice test and M1 practice test.