PermitPrep California Free practice test

California permit test: speed limits

California has one rule above all others: never drive faster than is safe for the conditions. Posted numbers are maximums for good conditions.

Key rules

Basic Speed Law: drive no faster than is reasonable for weather, visibility, traffic and the road, even below the posted limit. (CVC §22350)
Most highways: 65 mph maximum. Some are posted at 70 mph. (CVC §22349, §22356)
Two-lane undivided highways: 55 mph unless posted higher. Vehicles towing a trailer, large trucks and school buses carrying students: 55 mph. (CVC §22349, §22406)

The full study guide for this topic, 24 practice questions and a printable cheat sheet are in the Exam Pack.

Sample questions

Unless a sign shows a different limit, the maximum speed on most California highways is:

Answer: 65 mph. The general maximum is 65 mph. Some highways are posted at 70 mph, and some roads have lower limits. (CVC §22349)

You are 100 feet from an intersection with no signal or stop sign. Buildings block your view of the cross street. The speed limit is:

Answer: 15 mph. At a blind intersection, where you cannot see 100 feet in both directions during the last 100 feet before crossing, the limit is 15 mph. (CVC §22352)

Other topics

Speed limits: California has one rule above all others: never drive faster than is safe for the conditions.
Signals and signs: Lights and signs tell you who goes and who waits.
Road signs: About one in five questions in our bank is a road sign.
Right of way: The law says who must yield, never who may force their way.
Lane markings and lane types: Paint tells you which way traffic moves and what you may do in each lane.
Lanes, passing and turns: Lane lines tell you where you may move.
Freeways: Match the speed of traffic, keep right unless passing, and never stop in the lanes.
Parking: Where and how you park is tested with exact distances.
Sharing the road: Bicyclists, pedestrians, motorcycles, trucks and buses all have rights on the road.
Buses, light rail and streetcars: Trains and buses are big, heavy and slow to stop.
Work zones: Orange signs mean workers and equipment are close to traffic.
Railroad crossings: Trains cannot stop quickly.
Defensive driving: Leave yourself space and time.
Weather and slippery roads: Rain, ice, fog and wind call for lower speeds than the posted limit.
Night driving and emergencies: See and be seen at night, and know the first steps when something goes wrong.
Alcohol and drugs: Impairment starts with judgment, before you feel drunk.
Phones and distraction: Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel.
Seat belts and children: Everyone buckles up, and children ride in the back in the right seat for their age and size.
Vehicle control and equipment: Know your car's controls and keep it legal: clear windows, working lights, secure loads.
Police stops and road rage: Stay calm, stay visible and keep your hands where they can be seen.
Insurance, collisions and penalties: Every driver must carry insurance, stop after a crash, and keep a clean record.
Permits and licensing rules: Rules for drivers under 18 are tested often.

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