Scanning, following distance and skids

Key points

1. Keep your eyes moving and scan the road at least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “always keep your eyes moving and scan the road at least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 57

2. Use the three-second rule to keep a safe following distance.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “Use the three-second rule to ensure a safe following distance and avoid a collision.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 57

3. If a tailgater is behind you, keep your course and speed, then merge right when safe to let them pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “A tailgater is behind you. Maintain your course and speed. Then, when safe to do so, merge right to change into another lane and allow the tailgater to pass.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 57

4. Check blind spots by looking over your shoulders. Turn only your head, not your body or the wheel.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “To check your blind spots, look over your right and left shoulders out of your side windows. Only turn your head when you look. Do not turn your whole body or steering wheel.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 58

5. To escape a skid, ease off the gas, do not brake, and turn the wheel in the direction of the skid.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator. 2. Do not use the brakes. 3. Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 60

6. Bridges and overpasses tend to freeze before the rest of the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “Bridges and overpasses tend to freeze before the rest of the road. They can have icy spots.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 61

7. Roads can be very slippery when rain first starts, especially after a hot, dry spell.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “When it starts to rain, the pavement can be very slippery. Slow down at the first sign of rain, drizzle, or snow on the road. This is especially true if it has been dry and hot for some time”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 61

8. If another driver's lights are too bright, look toward the right edge of your lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “Do not look directly into the oncoming headlights. • Look toward the right edge of your lane.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 59

9. In a heavy rainstorm or snowstorm you may not see more than 100 feet ahead.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “In a heavy rainstorm or snowstorm, you may not be able to see more than 100 feet in front of your vehicle.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 62

Numbers to know

3 questions from the California practice test

1. 1. How far ahead should you scan the road to give yourself time to react?

   1. One full mile ahead at all speeds
   2. Only as far as the car directly ahead
   3. About 2 seconds ahead in city traffic
   4. At least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle
   Show answer

   At least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle. California recommends keeping your eyes moving and scanning at least 10 seconds ahead. Looking only at the vehicle immediately in front can hide stopped traffic, lane changes, and hazards developing farther up the road. The cue is a moving visual search, not a fixed stare. Check the road ahead, sides, mirrors, and potential escape spaces early enough that your response can be smooth instead of sudden.

2. 2. What following distance rule does California recommend to avoid tailgating?

   1. Use a three-second gap behind the vehicle ahead
   2. Stay one car length back at any speed
   3. Keep two seconds only on freeways
   4. Follow closely so others cannot merge
   Show answer

   Use a three-second gap behind the vehicle ahead. California recommends the three-second rule as the basic following distance for normal driving. One car length at any speed is unreliable because stopping distance grows as speed rises. A close following position also blocks your view and removes reaction time if the driver ahead brakes hard. Pick a roadside marker, count after the vehicle ahead passes it, and adjust until at least three seconds separate your vehicles.

3. 3. What is the first listed action if your vehicle starts to skid?

   1. Brake hard until the wheels lock
   2. Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator
   3. Turn sharply away from the skid
   4. Shift immediately into park
   Show answer

   Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator. When a skid starts, California's first listed response is to slowly take your foot off the accelerator. Braking hard can make traction loss worse and reduce steering control. The cue is feeling the tires slide or the vehicle begin to drift sideways; ease off power, avoid abrupt inputs, and steer toward the direction you want the vehicle to travel as traction returns.

Source: the California Driver's Handbook, Section 8: Safe Driving. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.