Ohio: Speed & following distance
Speed limits, managing speed and space, visual search and communicating. Split into 2 shorter tests so you're not stuck in one long quiz.
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All 38 Speed & following distance questions with answers
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According to the manual, when may a reasonable speed be slower than the posted speed limit?
- In inclement weather, bad road conditions, or high traffic volumes
- Only when a police officer is directing traffic on the road ahead
- Never, because drivers must always drive exactly the posted speed limit
- Only when driving through a school zone while children are present
Show answer
Correct answer: In inclement weather, bad road conditions, or high traffic volumes
In less-than-ideal conditions, such as bad weather, poor road conditions or heavy traffic, a reasonable speed can be slower than the posted limit.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 9
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Regardless of the posted speed limit, Ohio law prohibits driving at a speed greater than what?
- A speed matching the flow of traffic around the vehicle
- A speed that allows the driver to stop in the distance available
- A speed set by the vehicle maker for safe handling
- A speed the driver has driven safely on that road before
Show answer
Correct answer: A speed that allows the driver to stop in the distance available
Ohio law prohibits a speed greater than what allows the driver to stop in the distance available, whatever the posted limit.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 9
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Speed limits are considered reasonable speeds based on the road’s design, dry weather without fog or other issues affecting visibility, and what else?
- The number of passengers in the vehicle
- The age of the driver
- The time of day the road is used
- The expected traffic volume
Show answer
Correct answer: The expected traffic volume
Speed limits are considered reasonable based on road design, expected traffic volume and dry, clear weather.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 9
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Generally, speed limits are based on the type of road (two-lane, divided highways, etc.) and what else?
- The road’s location
- The driver’s experience level
- The time of year
- The weight of the vehicle
Show answer
Correct answer: The road’s location
The manual says speed limits are generally based on the type of road and the road’s location.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 9
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Which of these is listed as a factor in how far it takes to bring a vehicle to a complete stop?
- The number of passengers aboard
- The color of the vehicle's paint
- The driver's years of experience
- The condition of the pavement
Show answer
Correct answer: The condition of the pavement
The manual lists the driver's reaction time, the vehicle's speed, the condition of its brakes and the condition of the pavement.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 15
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How far ahead of your car does the manual say you should ideally try to look to see what is occurring?
- 20 to 30 seconds
- 5 to 10 seconds
- 1 to 2 seconds
- 60 to 90 seconds
Show answer
Correct answer: 20 to 30 seconds
The manual says to ideally look at what is occurring 20 to 30 seconds in front of your car.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 30
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What does the manual say driving safely means, in terms of your speed?
- Always driving exactly at the posted speed limit
- Matching the speed of the fastest traffic nearby
- Adjusting your speed to roadway and traffic conditions
- Driving below the posted limit at all times
Show answer
Correct answer: Adjusting your speed to roadway and traffic conditions
Driving safely means adjusting your vehicle speed for roadway and traffic conditions, along with an adequate following interval and obeying speed limits.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 30
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What should you do before entering a curve?
- Brake firmly once you are in the middle of the curve and then coast through
- Reduce speed to a safe speed that allows slight, constant acceleration through it
- Keep your speed up so you can take the curve quickly
- Coast through the whole curve without accelerating
Show answer
Correct answer: Reduce speed to a safe speed that allows slight, constant acceleration through it
Before entering a curve, you reduce speed to a safe speed that allows slight and constant acceleration through the curve.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 30
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You are approaching a curve and cannot see where it ends. What does the manual say to do?
- Keep the same speed
- Speed up to get through sooner
- Move onto the shoulder
- Reduce your speed more
Show answer
Correct answer: Reduce your speed more
The manual says to reduce speed more when traction is poor, when following other vehicles, and when you cannot see the end of the curve.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 30
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When should you reduce your speed on a roadway that may become slippery?
- Only after your tires begin to skid
- Only after the road is fully covered with ice
- At the first sign of rain, snow, sleet, or ice
- Only when the posted speed limit is lowered
Show answer
Correct answer: At the first sign of rain, snow, sleet, or ice
You should reduce speed at the first sign of rain, snow, sleet, or ice.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 30
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What happens when the roadway is slippery?
- It takes longer to stop and it is harder to turn without skidding
- It takes less distance to stop but harder to accelerate
- Your tires grip better because of the moisture
- Your stopping distance stays the same as on dry pavement
Show answer
Correct answer: It takes longer to stop and it is harder to turn without skidding
On a slippery road your tires do not grip as well, so it takes longer to stop and it is harder to turn without skidding.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 30
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What is hydroplaning?
- Brakes overheating on a long downhill
- Rear wheels locking up on dry pavement
- Engine losing power in heavy rain
- Steering tires ride on top of pooled water
Show answer
Correct answer: Steering tires ride on top of pooled water
Hydroplaning occurs when the steering tires start to ride on top of pooled water, similar to the action of water skis.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 30
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What is the best way to avoid traction loss from hydroplaning?
- Brake hard as soon as the road becomes wet
- Slow down in the rain or when water is pooled
- Accelerate to lift the tires above the water
- Steer sharply back and forth across the lane
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down in the rain or when water is pooled
The best way to avoid losing traction from hydroplaning is to slow down when driving in the rain and when the road has pooled water or puddles.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 30
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What should you do when your vehicle is hydroplaning?
- Slowly ease your foot off the gas pedal
- Brake as hard as you can
- Turn the steering wheel sharply
- Press the gas pedal to regain grip
Show answer
Correct answer: Slowly ease your foot off the gas pedal
When hydroplaning, you slowly ease your foot off the gas pedal.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 30
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What should you do if you see a flooded roadway?
- Drive through slowly in a low gear
- Follow the vehicle ahead through the water
- Find another route to your destination
- Stop and wait in the water until it drops
Show answer
Correct answer: Find another route to your destination
The manual says not to drive through large bodies of standing water and to find another route if a road is flooded.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 30
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What is a "space cushion"?
- The padded space inside your vehicle around the driver's seat
- The space between your vehicle and others, giving you time to react
- The total width of the lane that you are currently driving in
- The distance between a stop line and the crosswalk ahead of it
Show answer
Correct answer: The space between your vehicle and others, giving you time to react
A space cushion is the space you allow between your vehicle and other roadway users, which gives you time to react.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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What is stopping distance?
- The distance your vehicle travels from when you first touch the brake pedal until it stops
- The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you at any moment
- The distance that any vehicle needs to stop from any speed in any weather
- The distance your vehicle travels, in ideal conditions, from when you realize you must stop until it stops
Show answer
Correct answer: The distance your vehicle travels, in ideal conditions, from when you realize you must stop until it stops
Stopping distance is the distance your vehicle travels, in ideal conditions, from the time you realize you must stop until your vehicle stops.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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What is perception time?
- The time it takes your foot to move from the gas pedal to the brake
- The time it takes your brakes to slow and stop the vehicle
- The time and distance it takes you to recognize the need to stop
- The time it takes your eyes to adjust to darkness
Show answer
Correct answer: The time and distance it takes you to recognize the need to stop
Perception time is the time and distance it takes you to recognize the need to stop.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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What is the average perception time for an alert driver?
- 3/4 second to 1 second
- 3 to 4 seconds
- 1/4 second to 1/2 second
- 2 to 3 seconds
Show answer
Correct answer: 3/4 second to 1 second
The average perception time for an alert driver is 3/4 second to 1 second.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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What is reaction time?
- The time and distance it takes you to recognize the need to stop
- The time and distance it takes for your brakes to stop the vehicle
- The time it takes another driver to respond to your turn signal
- The time and distance to move your foot from the gas pedal and begin braking
Show answer
Correct answer: The time and distance to move your foot from the gas pedal and begin braking
Reaction time is the time and distance it takes you to move your foot from the gas pedal and begin applying the brakes.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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What is the average reaction time for a driver?
- 3 to 4 seconds
- 3/4 second to 1 second
- 1/4 second to 1/2 second
- 2 to 3 seconds
Show answer
Correct answer: 3/4 second to 1 second
The average driver has a reaction time of 3/4 second to 1 second.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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What is braking distance?
- The time and distance it takes your brakes to slow and stop a vehicle
- The time and distance it takes you to recognize the need to stop
- The time and distance it takes to move your foot to the brake pedal
- The distance between your bumper and the vehicle ahead
Show answer
Correct answer: The time and distance it takes your brakes to slow and stop a vehicle
Braking distance is the time and distance it takes for your brakes to slow and stop a vehicle.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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At 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, about how far can it take to stop?
- About 50 feet
- About 300 feet
- About 158 feet
- About 225 feet
Show answer
Correct answer: About 158 feet
At 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, it can take about 158 feet to stop.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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How does your speed affect your stopping distance?
- Speed changes the distance only on wet roads
- The faster you travel, the more time and distance you need to stop
- The faster you travel, the less distance you need to stop
- Speed has no effect when you have good brakes
Show answer
Correct answer: The faster you travel, the more time and distance you need to stop
The faster you are traveling, the more time and distance is needed to stop.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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What minimum following distance should you try to keep behind the vehicle ahead, in vehicle lengths?
- One vehicle length for every 5 miles per hour of travel
- Two vehicle lengths regardless of speed
- One vehicle length for every 20 miles per hour of travel
- One vehicle length for every 10 miles per hour of travel
Show answer
Correct answer: One vehicle length for every 10 miles per hour of travel
The manual says to keep a minimum following distance of one vehicle length for every 10 miles per hour of travel.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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What minimum following distance, in time, does the manual say to keep between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead?
- Two seconds
- Six seconds
- Four seconds
- Eight seconds
Show answer
Correct answer: Four seconds
The manual says to always try to keep a minimum following distance of four seconds between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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How do you begin to determine a four-second following distance?
- Start counting when the vehicle ahead passes a stationary point, such as a sign, until you reach it
- Start counting when the vehicle ahead brakes, and count until it comes to a stop
- Count the seconds between using your turn signal and completing your lane change
- Start counting when your own front bumper passes a sign, until the vehicle ahead does
Show answer
Correct answer: Start counting when the vehicle ahead passes a stationary point, such as a sign, until you reach it
You start counting when the rear of the vehicle ahead passes a stationary point and count the seconds it takes you to reach that same point.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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When are you following too closely?
- When you pass the stationary point after counting four seconds
- When you can see the driver ahead in the mirror
- When you can count to two before the next sign
- When you pass the stationary point before counting four seconds
Show answer
Correct answer: When you pass the stationary point before counting four seconds
You are following too closely if you pass the stationary point before counting four seconds.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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What should you do if you find you are following too closely?
- Flash your headlights at the driver ahead
- Reduce speed and then count again at another stationary point
- Stay at the same speed and check again a mile later
- Move onto the shoulder until traffic clears
Show answer
Correct answer: Reduce speed and then count again at another stationary point
The manual says to reduce speed and count again at another stationary point to check the new following interval.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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Which of these is a situation in which you should increase your following distance?
- When weather such as fog, rain, or snow limits visibility, or at night
- When driving on a dry, well-lit road in clear daylight conditions
- When following a small passenger car at a low speed on the street
- When you are stopped at a red traffic light in an intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: When weather such as fog, rain, or snow limits visibility, or at night
The manual says to increase your following distance when visibility is lessened or limited by weather, or at night.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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Which of these vehicles should you follow with extra distance?
- A small passenger car at low speed
- A parked vehicle with its lights off
- A large vehicle such as a truck or bus
- A motorcycle moving at a steady speed
Show answer
Correct answer: A large vehicle such as a truck or bus
The manual says to increase following distance behind large vehicles such as trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, and vehicles pulling a trailer.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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Why should you increase your following distance behind buses and vehicles carrying hazardous materials?
- They always drive slower than the speed limit
- They are required to stop at railroad crossings
- They cannot use their brake lights
- They are not allowed to change lanes
Show answer
Correct answer: They are required to stop at railroad crossings
You should leave more space behind vehicles that are required to stop at railroad crossings, such as buses or vehicles carrying hazardous materials.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 31
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Why should you avoid driving next to other vehicles for long periods of time?
- The other driver may report you to the police for doing it
- It uses much more fuel than driving directly behind the vehicle
- It is against Ohio law to travel side by side with another vehicle
- You may be in the driver's blind spot and have less space to avoid a crash
Show answer
Correct answer: You may be in the driver's blind spot and have less space to avoid a crash
Driving beside other vehicles for long can put you in the driver's blind spot and reduces the space you may need to avoid a crash.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 32
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What should you avoid doing to keep a space cushion at your side?
- Driving in the right-hand lane
- Staying in the middle of your lane
- Crowding the center line lane marking
- Using the shoulder to pass
Show answer
Correct answer: Crowding the center line lane marking
The manual says to avoid crowding the center line lane marking and to keep as much space as possible between you and oncoming traffic.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 32
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What should you do to make space for a vehicle entering a multiple-lane or limited access roadway?
- Move over a lane or adjust your speed
- Speed up to stay ahead of it
- Stay next to it in the same lane
- Stop in the lane until it enters
Show answer
Correct answer: Move over a lane or adjust your speed
The manual says to make space for entering vehicles by moving over a lane or adjusting your speed.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 32
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To whom should you give extra space at your sides?
- Only tractor-trailers and buses
- Only vehicles that are parked
- Only vehicles traveling below the speed limit
- Pedestrians, especially children, and bicyclists
Show answer
Correct answer: Pedestrians, especially children, and bicyclists
The manual says to give extra space to pedestrians, especially children, and to bicyclists.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 32
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When a tractor-trailer is passing you, how can you leave a little more space?
- Move toward the center line of your lane to stay farther away
- Move to the outside portion of your lane, away from the tractor-trailer
- Slow down sharply and brake to a complete stop on the road
- Speed up so that you stay beside the tractor-trailer longer
Show answer
Correct answer: Move to the outside portion of your lane, away from the tractor-trailer
When a passing vehicle is a tractor-trailer, you leave more space by moving to the outside portion of your lane, away from the tractor-trailer.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 32
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How can you help the driver behind you keep a safe following distance?
- Keep a steady speed, signal early, and leave more space ahead before slowing
- Tap your brakes repeatedly to warn the driver who is behind you
- Drive slowly in the left lane at all times to set the pace for all
- Speed up every time the driver behind you starts to get too close
Show answer
Correct answer: Keep a steady speed, signal early, and leave more space ahead before slowing
You can help keep the driver behind you at a safe distance by keeping a steady speed, signaling in advance, and keeping more space in front before slowing or turning.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 32