Following distance, lane changes and headlights

Key points

1. At 55 mph it takes about 300 feet, one city block, to stop on dry pavement.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “At 55 miles per hour, it takes approximately 300 feet or one city block on dry pavement to stop.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 21

2. Use the three second rule: if you reach the mark before counting one thousand and three, you are too close.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “If you reach the spot before you count “onethousand-and-three,” you are following too closely.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 22

3. Sometimes you need four or more seconds of following distance.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “Sometimes you need even more following distance, as much as four or more seconds.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 22

4. Signal before changing lanes, change only one lane at a time, and cancel your signal afterward.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Signal prior to making the lane change. Change only one lane at a time and be sure to cancel your signal when you complete the lane change.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 21

5. The driver changing lanes is responsible for doing it safely.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “The driver of the vehicle making the lane change is responsible for safely changing lanes.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 21

6. For a right turn, stay as far right as possible and turn close to the right curb.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “When approaching an intersection to make a right turn, stay as far to the right as possible. Make the turn close to the right curb.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 22

7. Use headlights when rain, snow, smoke or fog cuts visibility below 1,000 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Use your headlights during inclement weather when visibility is less than 1,000 feet due to rain, snow, sleet, hail, smoke, or fog.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 24

8. Dim your headlights at least 500 feet before meeting traffic and within 300 feet when following.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Dim your headlights at least 500 feet before meeting traffic and within 300 feet when following another vehicle.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 25

9. Never back up on the interstate; if you miss your interchange, go on to the next one.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Never back up on the Interstate. If you miss your interchange, go on to the next one.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 24

Numbers to know

3 questions from the North Dakota practice test

1. 1. At 55 mph on dry pavement, about how far does a car need to stop?

   1. About 150 feet
   2. About 100 feet
   3. About 300 feet
   4. About one mile
   Show answer

   About 300 feet. At 55 miles per hour, it takes about 300 feet, or one city block, on dry pavement to stop. If you drive too fast or follow too closely, you will not have enough time to stop in an emergency. That is why the handbook recommends at least a three-second following distance, and four or more seconds on slippery roads or behind large vehicles. A fully loaded tractor-trailer may need more than 400 feet.

2. 2. At night, within what distance must you dim your headlights when following another vehicle?

   1. Within 200 feet
   2. Within 100 feet
   3. Within 300 feet
   4. Within 500 feet
   Show answer

   Within 300 feet. When following another vehicle at night, dim your headlights within 300 feet. The separate 500-foot figure applies before meeting oncoming traffic, so choosing 500 feet confuses two different situations. One hundred and 200 feet are shorter than the stated following distance and could leave the other driver facing glare too long. Watch the road ahead, switch to low beams in time, and remember that the goal is to avoid blinding the driver whose mirrors are reflecting your light.

3. 3. When changing lanes, which sequence is required by the manual?

   1. Make sure the lane is clear, signal, and change only one lane at a time
   2. Signal after crossing the line, then move across two lanes together
   3. Change lanes in an intersection whenever traffic is light
   4. Rely on mirrors alone because shoulder checks are unnecessary
   Show answer

   Make sure the lane is clear, signal, and change only one lane at a time. A safe lane change begins with confirming that the destination lane is clear and signaling the movement. The manual adds that drivers should check mirrors and look over a shoulder for blind spots, avoid changing lanes within an intersection when possible, and move only one lane at a time. Signaling late, crossing two lanes in one sweep, or trusting mirrors alone removes important checks. The manual also says to keep a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead while planning any lane change.

Source: the North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Rules of the Road. 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.