Safety Margins

Safety margins is one of the most heavily tested categories in the DVSA theory test — and one of the most failed. This section covers stopping distances, following distances, the two-second rule, and how road and weather conditions affect your ability to stop safely. The stopping distance figures are essential to memorise: at 30mph the total stopping distance is 75 feet (23 metres); at 70mph it rises to 315 feet (96 metres). In wet conditions these figures at least double, and on ice they can increase tenfold. These numbers come up repeatedly in the real test. Key topics also include aquaplaning, the effect of worn tyres on braking, and how a fully laden vehicle takes longer to stop. The two-second rule — choosing a fixed point and ensuring the vehicle ahead passes it at least two seconds before you do — is a concept the DVSA returns to frequently. Work through all 60 questions in this category to build the confident, precise knowledge of stopping distances that the theory test demands.