Following distance

Expected outcome/competence

The vehicle must always be a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles. On wet or slippery roads, it takes much longer to stop. When the vehicle has stopped in traffic queues, sufficient space should be left to pull out if the vehicle in front has problems.

Potential deviations from expected outcomes

  • Getting too close to moving vehicles
  • Pulling up too close to vehicle ahead

Examples of what might constitute something that would result in a fault being marked

Driving fault

Did not maintain the full separation distance required.

Serious fault

Drove too close to the vehicle ahead, where the separation distance left little margin for error.

Dangerous fault

Any situation brought about by dangerously driving too close to the car in front that resulted in actual danger to the examiner, candidate, and the general public or property.