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Making space as your learner drives
Find out why your learner needs to make space between their vehicle and others.
In this topic
The following distance
Why you need to keep a safe following distances
Why your learner needs to keep a safe following distance
Using the three second rule
When your learner needs to increase their following distance
Managing vehicles behind your learner
The safety bubble
Watching out for heavy vehicles
Following distance
Your learner’s following distance is the gap between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them.
Why your learner needs to keep a safe following distance
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common crashes on our roads.
So make sure your learner practises leaving a safe following distance in all conditions.
Using the three second rule
The three-second rule is how your learner can work out if they’re leaving a safe gap between their vehicle and the vehicle in front.
Your learner should always drive at least three seconds from the vehicle in front of them and leave even more space in poor conditions.
While they’re still learning to drive, it’s a safe option to leave a larger gap than three seconds until they gain more experience.
Your learner should increase their following distance when:
Some examples of when your learner should increase their following distance are:
- Driving in bad weather.
- When it's hard to see the road ahead.
- Driving on roads that are wet, slippery or in poor condition.
- Changing lanes.
- Driving at night.
- Driving on dirt or gravel roads.
- Driving in unfamiliar areas.
Managing vehicles behind your learner
If the vehicle behind your learner is following too close, then they need to leave some extra space in front in case they need to brake.
Your learner should never feel pressured to speed up. They may even want to pull over and let other vehicles pass.
Your learner can use the three-second rule to reduce their risk of a crash. They should always stay at least three seconds back from the vehicle in front of them and even more in poor conditions.
The safety bubble
Your learner’s safety bubble is the space ahead, behind and to the sides of their vehicle.
This space gives them time to respond to potential hazards or if they need to slow down.
Create a safety bubble from:
- Parked cars, in case a door opens.
- Other road users, including bike riders.
- Oncoming vehicles, in case they come on your side of the road.
Where your learner chooses to position themselves on the road can change their level of risk.
Watching out for heavy vehicles
Heavy vehicles take longer to slow down and stop, which means they need more space around them.
They can also take up more than one lane, especially when turning.
You learner should always give heavy vehicles extra space and avoid driving beside them