Hydroplaning, following distance and sharing the road

Key points

1. Partial hydroplaning can begin at 35 mph, and at 55 mph tires may lose all contact with the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “In a standard passenger car, partial hydroplaning can begin at speeds as low as 35 mph. At 55 mph, the tires may lose all contact with the road.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 38

2. As a general rule, hold the wheel with your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “As a general rule, when gripping the steering wheel, place your left hand at the 9 o'clock position and your right hand at the 3 o'clock position on the wheel.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 38

3. Tread below about 2/32 of an inch greatly reduces grip in bad conditions.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “If your tread gets below that (approximately 2/32 of an inch), your car's ability to grip the road in adverse conditions is greatly reduced.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 38

4. The legal minimum space to pass a bicyclist is 3 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “The minimum legal space for a motorist to pass a bicyclist is 3 feet”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 42

5. If you cannot change lanes to pass a bicycle, slow to at least 10 mph under the limit or 25 mph, whichever is more.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “which speed shall be at least ten miles per hour less than the posted speed limit or 25 miles per hour, whichever is more”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 19

6. Never crowd into the same lane as a motorcycle.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Never crowd into the same lane as the motorcycle.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 43

7. Keep one car length for every 10 mph of speed around commercial vehicles.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “For safety, one car length for every 10 miles per hour of speed is recommended;”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 45

8. A slow-moving vehicle is any vehicle moving less than 25 mph and must display the emblem.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “A slow-moving vehicle is defined as any vehicle moving less than 25 miles per hour. They are required by law to display this emblem.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 32

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Georgia practice test

1. 1. What minimum space must a Georgia motorist leave when passing a bicyclist?

   1. At least one foot
   2. At least six inches
   3. At least three feet
   4. No fixed space if the horn is used
   Show answer

   At least three feet. Georgia requires a motorist to leave at least three feet between the vehicle and a bicyclist while passing. The one-foot and six-inch options leave too little room for a rider who may need to avoid a pothole or another road danger. Using the horn does not replace the space requirement, because the rule protects the bicyclist throughout the pass. A practical cue is to picture a full arm span or more between the vehicle and the bicycle, then maintain that buffer until the pass is complete.

2. 2. At what speed may the tires in a standard passenger car lose all contact with the road?

   1. 35 mph
   2. 45 mph
   3. 65 mph
   4. 55 mph
   Show answer

   55 mph. In a standard passenger car, the manual says the tires may lose all contact with the road at 55 mph during hydroplaning. At that point there may be no friction available for braking, accelerating, or steering, so the vehicle can enter an unpredictable skid. The 35 mph figure describes the speed at which partial hydroplaning can begin, not complete loss of contact. The other speeds are not the figures given for this condition. When water is standing on the roadway, reduce speed well before reaching the range where tire contact and control can disappear.

3. 3. What spacing advice does Georgia give for safe driving?

   1. Follow closely so traffic cannot merge
   2. Match the bumper gap of the vehicle behind you
   3. Leave no space when approaching a curve
   4. Keep a safe distance between you and other vehicles
   Show answer

   Keep a safe distance between you and other vehicles. Georgia safety guidance tells drivers to keep a safe distance between their vehicle and other vehicles. A usable gap gives more time to see a hazard, brake smoothly, and respond if traffic changes. Following closely reduces that time and can create a chain reaction when the lead driver slows. Leaving no space near a curve is especially risky because sight distance may be limited. Use roadway, weather, and traffic conditions to choose a cushion that lets you stop or maneuver without an abrupt response.

Source: the Georgia Drivers Manual, Section 8: Safety Guidelines. 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.