California Car / Permit practice question · Speed & Space Management
To keep a cushion of space around your vehicle in traffic, you should:
Answer choices
- Avoid driving alongside or in other drivers' blind spots— Correct answer
- Match the exact position of the car beside you
- Stay tucked in the middle of a group of cars
- Follow the car ahead closely to hold your place
Why this is the answer
Every vehicle has blind spots, so keep space around your car and avoid driving directly alongside others or lingering in their blind spots. That leaves you room to react and an escape path. Following closely or staying in the middle of a pack takes that space away, as does matching the position of the car beside you.
Source: California Driver Handbook — Managing Space
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
More Speed & Space Management questions
- If another vehicle merges into your lane too closely ahead of you, the best response is to:
- Under good conditions, you should keep a following distance of at least:
- Before passing another vehicle on a two-lane road, you should be able to see the road ahead clearly for at least:
- When following a large truck or bus that blocks your view, you should:
- You should increase your following distance when: