Stopping, braking and following distance

Key points

1. After seeing danger, the average driver needs about 3/4 of a second to apply the brakes.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “After seeing danger, it takes the average driver about 3/4 of a second to apply the brakes.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

2. Braking distance is much longer on wet, icy or gravel roads.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “It is important to realize that on wet, icy or gravel roads, the braking distance will be much longer.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

3. When it first starts to rain, oil, rubber, dirt and water make roads especially slippery.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “When it first starts to rain, oil, rubber, dirt and water combined make roads especially slippery”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

4. Use the four second method; if you reach the checkpoint in under four seconds, you are too close.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “If it takes less than four seconds for your vehicle to reach that point, you are following too closely and must increase your following distance.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 28

5. Allow more than four seconds in poor road conditions, poor visibility or at higher speeds.

   Source: Handbook p. 27

   “However, if you are driving in poor road conditions, when visibility is poor or driving at higher speeds, you should allow more than four seconds of following distance.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 27

6. A car at 60 mph needs 240 feet to stop on dry pavement, versus 75 feet at 30 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “It takes 240 feet for a passenger car to come to a complete stop on dry pavement traveling at 60 MPH, versus 75 feet for the same car to come to a stop at 30 MPH.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

7. If traffic is backing up behind you, the law requires you to pull over when safe and let it pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “If traffic is backing up behind you, you are required by law to pull over to the side of the road, when it is safe to do so, and allow following vehicles to go by.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

8. Before driving: adjust seat and mirrors, test brakes, fasten your belt, lock doors and turn on headlights.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Adjust the seat properly. 2. Adjust all mirrors. 3. Test the foot and parking/emergency brakes 4. Adjust and fasten the safety belt. 5. Lock the doors. 6. Turn on the headlights.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Vermont practice test

1. 1. About how long does the average driver take to apply the brakes after seeing a danger?

   1. About one-tenth of a second
   2. About three-fourths of a second
   3. About two seconds
   4. About five seconds
   Show answer

   About three-fourths of a second. The manual says the average driver takes about three-fourths of a second to apply the brakes after seeing danger. That interval is reaction time, and the vehicle continues traveling during it. Speed increases the distance covered before braking begins, while road conditions affect the later braking distance. The two-second choice is too long for the stated average and can understate the urgency of scanning ahead. Leave space and keep your attention on the road so hazards are recognized sooner.

2. 2. How does a wet, icy, or gravel road affect a vehicle's braking distance?

   1. It makes the braking distance much longer
   2. It makes the braking distance shorter
   3. It has no effect if the tires are new
   4. It changes only the reaction distance
   Show answer

   It makes the braking distance much longer. Wet, icy, and gravel roads make braking distance much longer because the tires have less usable grip. Reaction distance is the travel that occurs before the brake is applied, but the surface primarily changes the distance after braking begins. New tires do not eliminate the effect of a slippery surface. When rain first starts, oil, rubber, dirt, and water can combine to make pavement especially slick. Slow down early and leave extra room before a stop.

3. 3. Using Vermont's four-second method, when are you following too closely?

   1. When the vehicle ahead takes four seconds to pass a checkpoint
   2. When your vehicle reaches the checkpoint in less than four seconds
   3. When you can count only one thousand one
   4. When you leave more than four seconds in poor weather
   Show answer

   When your vehicle reaches the checkpoint in less than four seconds. The timing begins as the rear of the vehicle ahead passes a fixed checkpoint and ends when your vehicle reaches that same point. Fewer than four seconds means the gap is too short. Reaching it in four or more seconds meets the manual's basic spacing measure, although poor visibility, bad pavement, or higher speed calls for additional room. Choose a roadside sign or pole as the checkpoint and count consistently rather than estimating by car lengths.

Source: the Vermont Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Driving Safely and Studying for Your Permit. 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.