DKTKey points on following distance for the Northern Territory learner test. Each answer is checked against the official Northern Territory handbook or road rules; use the practice-question links to test yourself.
In heavy rain, how should your gap behind the vehicle ahead compare with a dry day?
Answer: Bigger, because it takes longer to stop on a wet road
Wet roads lengthen stopping distance, so you need a larger gap behind the vehicle in front.
Practice question 374 · official source
How can you use a roadside post or sign to check your following gap?
Answer: Count the seconds from when the car ahead passes it until you pass it
Pick a fixed object, note when the car ahead passes it, then count how many seconds pass before you reach it.
Practice question 375 · official source
The road is wet or slippery. How should you change your following gap behind the vehicle in front?
Answer: Double it to at least 6 seconds
The NT handbook gives a 3-second gap as the base and says to double it to at least 6 seconds on wet or slippery roads.
Practice question 376 · official source
How do you check you have a 3 second gap?
Answer: Count 3 seconds after the car ahead passes a fixed object
Pick a fixed object, count three seconds after the vehicle ahead passes it, and you should reach it after you finish counting.
Practice question 377 · official source
Why should you avoid cutting in front of a truck or bus?
Answer: Trucks and buses need much more distance to stop
Heavy vehicles cannot stop quickly. Give them room, and do not pull in front of them as lights change.
Practice question 378 · official source
What gap does the NT handbook recommend you keep behind the vehicle ahead in good conditions?
Answer: About three seconds
The NT handbook recommends a crash avoidance space of about three seconds. If you reach the same fixed point within two seconds, you are too close.
Practice question 379 · official source
In good conditions, how far behind the vehicle in front should you stay?
Answer: At least 3 seconds
Keep at least a 3-second gap in good conditions, and more when conditions are poor.