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Alaska permit test: following distance and speed

Following laws, avoiding rear-end collisions, speed, impact and braking distance, speed laws and the four-second rule. 17 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember10 key following distance and speed rulesShow the rules
  1. When towing a trailer, or on wet or slippery roads, increase the four-second gap to six seconds or more. (p. 32)
  2. On a two-lane road outside an urban area, you must safely pull over when five or more vehicles are immediately behind you (AS 28.35.140). (p. 32)
  3. The regulation requires at least a two-second following distance, but the handbook recommends four seconds for safety. (p. 32)
  4. Tripling your speed from 20 to 60 mph makes impact and braking distance nine times greater. (p. 33)
  5. Doubling your speed makes the impact and braking distance four times greater, not twice as much. (p. 33)
  6. The unposted limit in a business district is 20 mph. (p. 34)
  7. The unposted alley limit is 15 mph. (p. 34)
  8. On any other unposted roadway the limit is 55 mph. (p. 34)
  9. Alaska's move over law (AS 28.35.185) requires you to give emergency vehicles on the shoulder extra room by moving over. (p. 34)
  10. Unless posted otherwise, the residential district limit is 25 mph. (p. 34)

Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.

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Sample following distance and speed questions

  1. 1.Thick fog covers a road posted at 55 mph. How fast may you drive?

    • ASlow enough to stop in the clear distance ahead
    • B55 mph, since that is the posted limit
    • CAny speed, as long as headlights are on
    • DExactly 10 mph below the posted limit
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Slow enough to stop in the clear distance ahead

    When conditions are less than ideal, drive at a careful and prudent speed. You may not drive faster than lets you stop within the assured clear distance ahead.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (REV.10/2025), page 34

  2. 2.Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit in an Alaska business district?

    • A15 mph
    • B35 mph
    • C25 mph
    • D20 mph
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. 20 mph

    The unposted limit in a business district is 20 mph. Alleys are 15, school zones 20, residential districts 25, and other roads 55.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (REV.10/2025), page 34

  3. 3.How much greater are impact and braking distance at 60 mph than at 20 mph?

    • A16 times
    • B3 times
    • C9 times
    • D6 times
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. 9 times

    Tripling your speed from 20 to 60 mph makes impact and braking distance nine times greater.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (REV.10/2025), page 33

  4. 4.You are driving below the limit on a two-lane road outside an urban area, and five vehicles are lined up behind you. What does Alaska law require?

    • ATurn on your hazard lights and continue
    • BNothing, as long as you stay in your lane
    • CSpeed up until you reach the limit
    • DSafely pull over to let them pass
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Safely pull over to let them pass

    On a two-lane road outside an urban area, you must safely pull over when five or more vehicles are immediately behind you (AS 28.35.140).

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (REV.10/2025), page 32