New Hampshire permit test: speed, stopping and following distance
Speed management, stopping distance and keeping a safe following distance. 15 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember9 key speed, stopping and following distance rulesShow the rules
- The minimum speed on an interstate is 45 mph, unless road or weather conditions make that speed unsafe. (p. 21, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- New Hampshire's maximum is 30 mph in business or urban residence districts and 35 mph in rural residence districts. (p. 21, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- Drivers who go far slower than traffic block those behind them, making others jump between lanes or take chances passing. (p. 21, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- Braking distance alone at 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes is about 158 feet, before adding perception and reaction distance. (p. 22, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- If another vehicle is tailgating you unsafely, find a safe place to pull over and let it pass. (p. 22, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- Watch when the rear of the vehicle ahead passes a sign or pole, then count the seconds until you reach the same spot. (p. 36, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- Always try to keep at least four seconds between your car and the vehicle in front, and more in bad conditions. (p. 36, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- Increase following distance behind vehicles that must stop at railroad crossings, such as school buses, transit buses and hazardous materials carriers. (p. 37, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- Increase your following distance at night, in fog, in bad weather, on slippery roads, and behind large vehicles. (p. 37, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample speed, stopping and following distance questions
1.Unless posted otherwise, what is the maximum speed in a business or urban residence district?
- A35 mph
- B25 mph
- C40 mph
- D30 mph
Show the answer
✓ D. 30 mph
New Hampshire's maximum is 30 mph in business or urban residence districts and 35 mph in rural residence districts.
2.During the posted times in a school zone, how does the speed limit change?
- AIt is 5 mph below the usual posted limit
- BIt is 10 mph below the usual posted limit
- CIt drops to 15 mph
- DIt is half the usual posted limit
Show the answer
✓ B. It is 10 mph below the usual posted limit
In a posted school zone, the limit is 10 mph below the usual posted limit, from 45 minutes before school opens until it opens, and from closing until 45 minutes after.
3.Unless posted otherwise, what is the maximum speed in a rural residence district?
- A45 mph
- B35 mph
- C55 mph
- D30 mph
Show the answer
✓ B. 35 mph
The maximum is 35 mph in rural residence districts, compared with 30 mph in business and urban residence districts.
4.On a New Hampshire interstate, what is the minimum speed in normal road and weather conditions?
- A40 mph
- B45 mph
- C55 mph
- D35 mph
Show the answer
✓ B. 45 mph
The minimum speed on an interstate is 45 mph, unless road or weather conditions make that speed unsafe.