Highway Code stopping distances
These are the typical stopping distances for a car in good, dry conditions.
| Speed | Thinking | Braking | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mph | 6 m | 6 m | 12 m |
| 30 mph | 9 m | 14 m | 23 m |
| 40 mph | 12 m | 24 m | 36 m |
| 50 mph | 15 m | 38 m | 53 m |
| 60 mph | 18 m | 55 m | 73 m |
| 70 mph | 21 m | 75 m | 96 m |
A car length is taken as about 4 metres. In the wet, stopping distances are at least double. On ice they can be up to ten times longer.
What affects stopping distance?
- Thinking distance grows if you're tired, distracted, or have had alcohol or drugs.
- Braking distance grows on wet, icy or loose road surfaces, with worn tyres or brakes, and when the car is heavily loaded.
- Speed matters most: double your speed and your braking distance roughly quadruples.
Keep at least a two-second gap from the vehicle in front on a dry road, and at least four seconds in the wet.
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Questions
What is the stopping distance at 30 mph?
23 metres in good conditions: 9 metres thinking distance plus 14 metres braking distance. That's about six car lengths.
What is the stopping distance at 70 mph?
96 metres in good conditions: 21 metres thinking distance plus 75 metres braking distance. That's about 24 car lengths.
How much longer is stopping distance in the wet?
At least double. On icy roads it can be up to ten times longer.
Do I need to learn stopping distances for the theory test?
Yes. Questions on stopping distances come up in the safety margins topic, so it's worth learning the table.