Massachusetts permit test: speed, following and stopping distance
Speed limits and the basic speed law, school zones, safe distances, reaction time and braking. 10 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Sample speed, following and stopping distance questions
1. You are following a motorcycle on a dry road. Compared with following a car, how much space should you leave?
- A. Less space, because motorcycles are smaller
- B. The same space you would leave behind a car
- C. Less space, because motorcycles stop more slowly
- D. More space than you would leave behind a car
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D. More space than you would leave behind a car
Keep more following distance behind a motorcycle than you would behind another vehicle. Motorcycles can stop quickly and are easy to hit if you are too close.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 51
2. You are driving 40 mph on a highway posted at 50 mph during a heavy rainstorm. Can you get a speeding ticket?
- A. No, because you are 10 mph under the posted limit
- B. Yes, if 40 mph is too fast for the conditions
- C. Only if you are also following too closely
- D. No, because posted limits already account for rain
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B. Yes, if 40 mph is too fast for the conditions
Posted limits are based on ideal conditions. You must never drive faster than is safe, so you can be ticketed for driving too fast for the weather even when you are under the posted limit.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 88
3. On dry, level pavement at 50 mph, about how far will your vehicle travel from the moment you see a hazard until it stops?
- A. 215 feet
- B. 55 feet
- C. 160 feet
- D. 104 feet
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A. 215 feet
At 50 mph you travel about 55 feet while reacting and about 160 feet more while braking, for a total stopping distance of about 215 feet. On wet or slippery roads it takes even longer.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 52
4. A driver is tailgating you on a multi-lane road. What should you do?
- A. Tap your brakes to warn them to back off
- B. Speed up to put more distance between you
- C. Slow down sharply so they have to drop back
- D. Move to another lane so they can pass
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D. Move to another lane so they can pass
If someone is tailgating you, move to another lane or pull to the side of the road and let them pass. Do not try to punish or outrun them.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 51