Topic 4 · Defensive Driving and Safe Driving Practices
How far ahead should you scan the road?
- As far as your headlights reach
- At least 3 seconds ahead
- At least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle — correct answer
Why
Keeping your eyes moving and scanning at least 10 seconds ahead is what buys you time to react and avoids last-minute moves. (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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