Topic 4 · Defensive Driving and Safe Driving Practices
How far ahead should you look while driving in the city?
- At least 10 seconds ahead — correct answer
- Just one car length ahead
- Only at your speedometer
Why
Scan the road at least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle. Looking that far out gives you time to spot a hazard and react smoothly instead of braking hard. (Handbook, Section 8 — Scan Your Surroundings.)
Practise this in the real format
Reading one answer is not the same as sitting the test. The simulator runs the first-time adult form: 36 questions, 6 mistakes allowed, 83% to pass.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, rev. 6/2025), the document the DMV writes the real test from. Edited by Fernando Aguilera. Aprobify is not affiliated with the California DMV.
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