New Jersey permit test: speed, following and stopping distance
Speed limits, stopping distance, following distance, mirrors and blind spots. 19 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Sample speed, following and stopping distance questions
1. You are driving only 20 mph on an icy road. According to the handbook's chart, what is the minimum safe following distance?
- A. 4 car lengths
- B. 2 car lengths
- C. 12 car lengths
- D. 6 car lengths
Show the answer
C. 12 car lengths
Ice requires the most space of any road condition in the chart: 12 car lengths even at 20 mph, six times the ideal distance.
2. According to the handbook's daytime stopping chart, how does total stopping distance change when you speed up from 30 mph to 60 mph?
- A. It more than triples
- B. It roughly doubles
- C. It stays about the same
- D. It increases by about half
Show the answer
A. It more than triples
Stopping distance grows much faster than speed. The chart shows about 102 feet at 30 mph but 343 feet at 60 mph, more than three times as far.
3. To check your mirrors on the road, you let a car pass on your left. When it leaves your inside mirror, what should you see?
- A. Nothing, until it is beside your window
- B. Its roof in the outside mirror
- C. Its rear bumper in the inside mirror
- D. Its front bumper in the outside mirror
Show the answer
D. Its front bumper in the outside mirror
With well-adjusted mirrors, a passing car's front bumper should appear in the outside mirror just as the car leaves the inside mirror. A gap means your mirrors leave too big a blind spot.
4. In New Jersey, what is the speed limit in suburban business and residential districts when no other limit is posted?
- A. 25 mph
- B. 45 mph
- C. 50 mph
- D. 35 mph
Show the answer
D. 35 mph
Suburban business and residential districts in New Jersey have a 35 mph limit unless otherwise posted.