New York permit test: speed and following distance

Sample speed and following distance questions

1. 1. You are following a large truck in bad weather. How should you change the two-second rule?

   • A. Keep the same count you use on dry roads
   • B. Stop counting and match the truck's speed
   • C. Increase your count to leave extra space
   • D. Shorten your count so cars cannot cut in
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   C. Increase your count to leave extra space

   In bad weather and when following large trucks, increase your following count to at least three or four seconds for extra space.

   Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) (No revision date in extractable text), page 47

2. 2. At night, your headlights light up about how far ahead of your vehicle?

   • A. 200 feet
   • B. 150 feet
   • C. 500 feet
   • D. 350 feet
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   D. 350 feet

   Headlights cover about 350 feet ahead. Drive at a speed that lets you stop within that distance, which is called driving within the range of your headlights.

   Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) (No revision date in extractable text), page 62

3. 3. In New York State, what is the highest speed you may drive on a road where no speed limit is posted?

   • A. 65 mph
   • B. 55 mph
   • C. 50 mph
   • D. 45 mph
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   B. 55 mph

   If no speed limit is posted, New York law says you may drive no more than 55 mph. Some cities have lower limits that are not always posted.

   Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) (No revision date in extractable text), page 47

4. 4. You are driving on a street in New York City and see no speed limit signs. What is the speed limit?

   • A. 55 mph
   • B. 35 mph
   • C. 30 mph
   • D. 25 mph
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   D. 25 mph

   In New York City the speed limit is 25 mph unless a different limit is posted. Some cities have limits below 55 mph that are not always posted.

   Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) (No revision date in extractable text), page 47