Safe driving tips — Utah Permit Test

A Utah driver should follow at a safe distance using the two-second rule, and increase that distance in bad weather or poor visibility.

Two seconds is the gap that turns somebody else’s mistake into a near miss instead of a crash.

Follow at a safe distance. Use the two-second rule. Increase your following distance in bad weather or poor visibility.

A Utah driver should steer smoothly with both hands on the outside of the wheel, using either the hand-over-hand or the push-and-pull method.

Hands on the outside means the wheel can spin back without breaking a thumb if a front tire catches something.

Steer smoothly at all times with both hands on the outside of the wheel. You may use the hand-over-hand or push-and-pull method.

A Utah driver should look over the proper shoulder before changing lanes, pulling away from the curb, or turning.

Mirrors miss a whole car. The shoulder check is the only thing that finds one sitting in your blind spot.

Always look over the proper shoulder (head check/traffic check) before making lane changes, pulling away from the curb, or making turns.

A Utah driver should start braking well ahead of where they must stop, and should know where to stop before reaching it.

Late braking is what puts a car in a crosswalk. Deciding early makes the stop gentle and predictable for everyone behind.

Stop the vehicle gently. Start braking well ahead of where you must stop to avoid sudden jerks.

A Utah driver should drive defensively and anticipate another driver’s errors.

You cannot control the other car. Expecting it to do something foolish is what leaves you room when it does.

Drive defensively. Anticipate another driver’s errors.

A Utah driver should not coast to a stop and should make sure the vehicle is in the correct gear.

A coasting car cannot accelerate out of trouble. Being in gear keeps the choice available.

Be sure your vehicle is in the correct gear. Don’t grind the gears. Don’t coast to a stop.

Which following rule does the Utah handbook set out?

The two-second rule. Two seconds is the gap that turns somebody else’s mistake into a near miss instead of a crash. Utah Driver Handbook 2026-2027, p.26: “Follow at a safe distance. Use the two-second rule. Increase your following distance in bad weather or poor visibility.”