UK Theory Test Stopping Distances: Complete Table 20–70 mph (2026)
Complete UK theory test stopping distances table: thinking distance, braking distance and total stopping distance at every speed from 20 to 70 mph. Includes wet and icy road multipliers, memory formula and free practice questions.
The official Highway Code stopping distances range from 12 metres at 20 mph to 96 metres at 70 mph. Total stopping distance is made up of thinking distance and braking distance. In wet conditions, total stopping distance at least doubles. On ice, it can be up to ten times greater. Use the interactive chart and table below to see the figures at every speed.
Dry road: official Highway Code figures. Total stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance.
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Stopping distances explained
Stopping distance is the total distance your vehicle travels from the moment you see a hazard to the moment the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
It has two components:
Thinking distance is the distance you travel while your brain processes the hazard and your foot moves to the brake. At a typical reaction time of around 0.7 seconds, this is simply a function of your speed.
The Highway Code figures are based on a typical reaction time. Tiredness, alcohol, drugs and distractions all increase reaction time and therefore increase thinking distance beyond these figures.
Braking distance is the distance the vehicle travels from the moment you apply the brakes until the vehicle stops completely. This depends on your speed, the condition of your tyres and brakes, and the road surface.
Total stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance.
Complete stopping distances table
These are the official figures you need to know for the theory test. All distances are in metres and feet.
| Speed | Thinking distance | Braking distance | Total stopping distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mph | 6 m (20 ft) | 6 m (20 ft) | 12 m (40 ft) |
| 30 mph | 9 m (30 ft) | 14 m (45 ft) | 23 m (75 ft) |
| 40 mph | 12 m (40 ft) | 24 m (80 ft) | 36 m (120 ft) |
| 50 mph | 15 m (50 ft) | 38 m (125 ft) | 53 m (175 ft) |
| 60 mph | 18 m (60 ft) | 55 m (180 ft) | 73 m (240 ft) |
| 70 mph | 21 m (70 ft) | 75 m (245 ft) | 96 m (315 ft) |
Source: The Highway Code, Rule 126. Figures assume a typical alert driver with good tyres and brakes on a dry road. Actual stopping distances vary by driver, vehicle and conditions. Last checked: July 2026. This site is independent and not affiliated with the DVSA.
Notice the pattern in the thinking distance column: it increases by 3 metres for every 10 mph. At 20 mph it is 6 m, at 30 mph it is 9 m, at 40 mph it is 12 m, and so on. Once you see this pattern, the thinking distances become easy to recall.
The braking distances are harder to memorise directly, but the total stopping distances have a well-known memory trick (see below).
Memory formula for stopping distances
| Speed | Formula | Total (feet) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 mph | 20 × 2 | 40 ft |
| 30 mph | 30 × 2.5 | 75 ft |
| 40 mph | 40 × 3 | 120 ft |
| 50 mph | 50 × 3.5 | 175 ft |
| 60 mph | 60 × 4 | 240 ft |
| 70 mph | 70 × 4.5 | 315 ft |
The multiplier increases by 0.5 for every 10 mph. Start with 20 mph × 2, and add 0.5 to the multiplier for each subsequent speed. This gives you the total stopping distance in feet. Divide by 3.3 to convert to metres approximately, or use the metre figures in the table above.
How speed affects stopping distance
The most important thing to understand is that doubling your speed does not double your braking distance — it increases it by approximately four times. This is because braking distance is proportional to the square of your speed. Total stopping distance does not increase by exactly four times, because it also includes thinking distance. But the effect is still dramatic. Going from 30 mph to 60 mph increases your total stopping distance from 23 metres to 73 metres — more than three times as far.
This is why small increases in speed have a disproportionately large effect on how far you travel before stopping.
At 30 mph, you stop within 23 metres. At 40 mph, that increases to 36 metres. A 10 mph increase adds 13 metres to your stopping distance, which is nearly the length of three cars.
Wet and icy conditions
The Highway Code figures apply to dry road conditions with good tyres and well-maintained brakes. In wet or adverse conditions, stopping distances increase significantly.
In wet conditions, your total stopping distance at least doubles. This is stated in Highway Code Rule 227. Always leave at least double your normal following distance when it is raining.
In icy conditions, stopping distances can be up to ten times the dry figure. At 30 mph, that means allowing around 230 metres instead of 23 metres.
These multipliers come up directly in the theory test. The key figures to remember are:
Wet road: total stopping distance at least doubles (×2).
Icy road: stopping distance up to ten times the dry figure.
The two-second rule
The two-second rule is a simple way to judge a safe following distance, particularly on faster roads and in tunnels with reduced visibility. Choose a fixed point ahead — a road sign or bridge. When the vehicle in front passes that point, you should not pass it yourself until at least two seconds have elapsed. In wet conditions, increase this to at least four seconds. In icy conditions, allow much more. Highway Code Rule 126 recommends at least a two-second gap on roads with higher speeds and in tunnels. Although there is no fixed legal minimum following distance for all situations, following too closely can amount to careless or dangerous driving.
What affects stopping distance?
The theory test tests not just the numbers but your understanding of what affects them. The following factors increase stopping distance:
Higher speed increases both thinking distance and braking distance. This is the most significant factor.
Tiredness increases thinking distance because your reaction time slows. A tired driver at 70 mph may travel significantly further before even applying the brakes compared to an alert driver.
Alcohol and drugs both increase reaction time, increasing thinking distance. Even small amounts impair your ability to react quickly.
Worn tyres reduce grip, increasing braking distance. Tyres below the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm have significantly reduced ability to disperse water and stop the vehicle.
Worn brakes reduce braking efficiency. Brakes that are not properly maintained increase stopping distance.
Adverse road conditions including rain, ice, snow, mud, wet leaves and gravel all reduce grip and increase braking distance. Wet leaves on the road are particularly dangerous because they can be nearly as slippery as ice.
Fully laden vehicles take longer to stop because they have more momentum. Always increase your following distance when your vehicle is heavily loaded.
Downhill slopes increase stopping distance because gravity adds to the vehicle’s momentum.
Memory tricks for the theory test
The stopping distances are best memorised in pairs: thinking distance and total stopping distance. You can calculate braking distance from these two figures.
The most widely used memory trick for total stopping distances uses the phrase “Only a Fool Breaks the Two-Second Rule.” Each letter corresponds to a speed:
O = 20 mph, F = 30 mph, B = 40 mph, T = 50 mph, S = 60 mph, R = 70 mph.
The total stopping distances in feet are: 40, 75, 120, 175, 240, 315.
Each total is roughly the speed multiplied by itself and divided by a constant. A simpler observation is that the total stopping distance in feet is always a multiple that increases predictably.
A practical approach that works well is to memorise just the 30 mph and 70 mph figures fully, then interpolate for the others. At 30 mph you stop in 23 metres. At 70 mph you stop in 96 metres. The intermediate figures fall in between in a non-linear way, but knowing the two extremes anchors your answers.
Common theory test questions on stopping distances
The theory test asks stopping distance questions in several ways:
Direct recall questions ask for the stopping distance at a specific speed. For example: “What is the overall stopping distance at 60 mph in good conditions?” Answer: 73 metres (or 240 feet).
Condition-based questions ask how conditions affect stopping distances. For example: “You are following a vehicle on a wet road. How should you adjust your following distance?” Answer: at least double the normal distance.
Reasoning questions test your understanding of why stopping distances change. For example: “Why does a fully laden vehicle take longer to stop?” Answer: it has more momentum.
Percentage questions ask about increases. For example: “In icy conditions, stopping distances can increase by how much?” Answer: up to ten times.
Stopping distance at each speed
Stopping distance at 20 mph
At 20 mph in dry conditions, the total stopping distance is 12 metres (40 feet): 6 metres thinking distance and 6 metres braking distance. In wet conditions, allow at least 24 metres.
Stopping distance at 30 mph
At 30 mph in dry conditions, the total stopping distance is 23 metres (75 feet): 9 metres thinking distance and 14 metres braking distance. In wet conditions, allow at least 46 metres.
Stopping distance at 40 mph
At 40 mph in dry conditions, the total stopping distance is 36 metres (120 feet): 12 metres thinking distance and 24 metres braking distance. In wet conditions, allow at least 72 metres.
Stopping distance at 50 mph
At 50 mph in dry conditions, the total stopping distance is 53 metres (175 feet): 15 metres thinking distance and 38 metres braking distance. In wet conditions, allow at least 106 metres.
Stopping distance at 60 mph
At 60 mph in dry conditions, the total stopping distance is 73 metres (240 feet): 18 metres thinking distance and 55 metres braking distance. In wet conditions, allow at least 146 metres.
Stopping distance at 70 mph
At 70 mph in dry conditions, the total stopping distance is 96 metres (315 feet): 21 metres thinking distance and 75 metres braking distance. This is approximately the length of 24 cars. In wet conditions, allow at least 192 metres.
Frequently asked questions
What is the stopping distance at 30 mph?
At 30 mph in dry conditions, the total stopping distance is 23 metres (75 feet). This is made up of 9 metres thinking distance and 14 metres braking distance. In wet conditions, your total stopping distance at least doubles, so allow at least 46 metres.
What is the stopping distance at 70 mph?
At 70 mph in dry conditions, the total stopping distance is 96 metres (315 feet). This is the longest standard stopping distance in the Highway Code. It is the same as the length of approximately 24 cars.
Why does braking distance increase faster than speed?
Because kinetic energy is proportional to the square of speed. When speed doubles, kinetic energy increases fourfold. With similar braking force, approximately four times the braking distance is needed to dissipate that energy.
Is thinking distance the same for everyone?
No. Thinking distance depends on your reaction time, which varies by person and is affected by tiredness, alcohol, drugs, distractions and age. The Highway Code figures assume a typical alert driver. A tired or distracted driver will have a longer thinking distance.
Does ABS reduce stopping distance?
Anti-lock braking systems do not guarantee a shorter stopping distance. Their main benefit is preventing wheels from locking, which allows you to steer while braking hard. ABS does not remove the need to maintain a safe speed and following distance. Highway Code Rule 120 covers this: always allow for the fact that ABS may not significantly reduce your stopping distance.
Practise stopping distance questions
The safety margins category on TheoryMates has 60 questions covering stopping distances, following distances, the two-second rule and the effect of road conditions. Many are directly based on the figures and scenarios covered in this guide.
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