Why You Should Always Leave a Tyres and Tarmac Gap When Driving
One of the first things I teach my students in Colchester is something that might sound a little strange at first.
I call it the “tyres and tarmac” rule.
It is simple. When you stop behind another car at a junction or in traffic, you should be able to see the rear tyres of the car in front touching the tarmac. Just a small gap. Not a car length. Not half a car length. Just enough to see the tyres and the road beneath them.
And honestly? This one little habit can save you from a whole lot of trouble.
Why Bother? You Are Stopped, Right?
A lot of learners ask usthis. They say, I have stopped. The car in front has stopped. Why does it matter how close I am?”
Fair question.
But here is the thing. The car in front might break down. The driver might suddenly reverse because they missed their turn. Or worst of all, you might get rear-ended by the car behind you.
If you are too close to the car in front when someone hits you from behind, you will slam into them. Now you are at fault for hitting them, even though the crash started behind you.
That little tyre and tarmac gap gives you a buffer. A safety net. Room to move if you need to.
It Also Helps You Get Moving Again
Have you ever been stuck in traffic where everyone is bumper to bumper? When the lights turn green, it takes forever for anyone to move because there is no space to accelerate smoothly.
If you leave a small gap, you can start rolling gently before the car in front even moves. That means less clutch work, less stop-start jerking, and a much smoother drive.
It also means if the car in front stalls, you are not stuck right up behind them waiting for them to figure it out.
What About At Traffic Lights?
Same rule applies.
When you stop at a red light, leave that tyre and tarmac gap. You should be able to see the line where the front car’s tyres meet the road.
Why? Because if someone comes flying up behind you and does not stop in time, you need space to move forward or steer out of the way. It does not happen often. But when it does, that tiny gap could be the difference between a near miss and a nasty crash.
Roundabouts Are Different
I should mention – this rule is for when you are stopped in a queue of traffic or at a red light.
On a roundabout, do not leave a huge gap. That just annoys everyone behind you and makes it harder to spot a safe gap in the traffic. On roundabouts, you want to be close enough to move off quickly when your chance comes.
But in standing traffic? Yes. Give yourself that space.
How Do You Judge the Gap?
Here is the trick I teach all my students.
When you stop behind another car, look at the road in front of you. You want to see the car’s rear tyres touching the tarmac. If you can see the tyres clearly, you are far enough back. If you cannot see the tyres because you are too close, ease off the brake and let the car roll back a tiny bit.
It takes practice. At first, you will probably leave too much space or not enough. That is fine. After a few lessons, it becomes second nature.
What About Hill Starts?
On a hill, leave a little more space. Because if the car in front rolls back when they move off – and plenty of people do – you want to be well out of the way.
So on a hill, tyre and tarmac plus a little extra. Just to be safe.
A Real Story From Colchester
I had a student a couple of years ago. Lovely lady, very nervous. She always left huge gaps because she was scared of hitting the car in front.
One day, we were stopped at the lights near the Hythe. The car behind us did not stop. Came in way too fast. My student saw it in the mirror and froze.
But because she had left a proper gap, I was able to steer us gently forward and to the side. The car behind slammed into the back of the car that had been in front of us. We just rolled away with a scratched bumper.
She passed her test a few weeks later. And she still talks about that gap.
The Bottom Line
Leaving a tyre and tarmac gap is not about being cautious or slow. It is about being smart.
It gives you space to escape. It stops you from being the middle car in a three-car pile up. It makes your driving smoother and less stressful.
And once you get used to it, you will do it without even thinking.
So next time you stop behind someone, just check. Can you see their tyres touching the road? If yes, you are good. If not, roll back a little.
Your instructor will thank you. And more importantly, you will be a safer driver for it.
Want to Learn More?
If you are taking driving lessons in Colchester and want to learn proper, safe driving habits from someone who actually cares, give me a call.
📞 07500 80 60 60
📧 info@herodrivingschool.co.uk
Hero Driving School team!
