Position, speed and distance

Part 7 of 50: Speed, Distance, and Risk

Safe positioning and speed

Rules of thumb for distance

• At least three seconds to the car in front at normal speed.
• Increase distance in darkness, rain, and slippery conditions.
• Stopping distance increases with speed, not linearly.

Common mistakes

• Positioning too far to the left in your lane.
• Too short distance in traffic or on motorways.
• Speed that does not match visibility and road surface.

How to recognize this topic on the test

On the class B theory test, position, speed and distance is usually tested through a practical situation, not as an isolated fact. Read the whole question before looking at the answer options. Ask yourself who has responsibility, which risk is greatest, and what gives the best safety margin.

• Connect the rule to a practical driving situation: what do you see first, who is affected, and which action gives the best safety margin?
• Look for small details in the question, such as signs, speed, visibility, road conditions, positioning and whether another road user has already started an action.
• Choose the answer that shows early risk awareness. On the theory test, the right answer is often the one that prevents danger, not merely the one that is barely legal.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Memorizing a rule without connecting it to positioning, speed and cooperation.
• Overlooking words such as “before”, “after”, “at” or “may” in the question.
• Choosing an answer that is legal in theory but poor defensive driving in practice.

How to practice further

Use this article as a checklist after taking a practice test. If you answer a question about this topic incorrectly, write down what you missed: rule, sign, positioning, speed, responsibility or an exception. Then take a few new questions on the same topic before mixing it back into a full test.

Read also:

• Distance and location
• Summary of speed and distance
• Speed on European route and national road
• Signs and road markings

Previous part

• See right of way and intersections .

Next part

• Read risk assessment and driving in different conditions .