California Driver License (DMV) Written Practice Test

It is important to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you to allow for unexpected movements or changes in speed. Option A of 2 car lengths may be too close as it does not leave enough room for sudden braking or merging. Options C and D of a quarter mile and half a mile are both too far, as it is not necessary to maintain such a large distance in normal driving conditions. Option B of 3 car lengths is a good estimate for a safe following distance in most situations.