Topic 4 · Defensive Driving and Safe Driving Practices
What is a good way to check if you are driving at a safe following distance?
- Use the 3-second rule — correct answer
- Keep one car length for every 10 mph
- Stay as close as possible
Why
Pick a fixed object; if you reach it less than three seconds after the vehicle ahead, drop back. (Handbook, Section 8.)
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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