Driver’s license knowledge test (Class C) · California DMV
Speed limits
Questions and answers
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What does California’s Basic Speed Law say?
You may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions
Regardless of the posted limit, your speed must be safe for traffic, road surface, and weather.
Section 8 · Manage Your Speed ↗ -
Unless otherwise posted, what is the maximum speed limit on most California highways?
65 mph
The limit on most California highways is 65 mph unless a sign says otherwise.
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Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit on a two-lane undivided highway?
55 mph
Two-lane undivided highways have a 55 mph limit.
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What is the maximum speed for a vehicle towing a trailer?
55 mph
Vehicles towing trailers are limited to 55 mph.
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What is the speed limit within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street?
25 mph
The limit is 25 mph. Some school zones are posted as low as 15 mph.
Section 7 · Around Children ↗ -
What is the speed limit for a blind intersection?
15 mph
If your view is blocked, move forward slowly until you can see. The limit is 15 mph.
Section 7 · Blind Intersections ↗ -
What is the speed limit in an alley?
15 mph
Alleys have a 15 mph speed limit.
Section 7 · Alleys ↗ -
What is the speed limit in a business or residential district, unless otherwise posted?
25 mph
Business and residential districts have a 25 mph limit unless posted otherwise.
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You are within 100 feet of a railroad crossing and cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions. What is the speed limit?
15 mph
The limit is 15 mph unless the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flagman.
Section 7 · Near Railroad or Light Rail Tracks ↗ -
A crossing device warns that a train is coming. How far from the nearest track must you stop?
At least 15 feet
Stop at least 15 feet from the nearest track.
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At a railroad crossing the gate rises, but the red lights are still flashing. What should you do?
Wait until the lights stop flashing
Do not cross until the red lights stop flashing, even if the gate rises.
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Traffic is stopped beyond a railroad crossing and there is not enough room for your vehicle on the far side. What should you do?
Wait before the tracks until you can cross completely
Never stop on railroad tracks. Do not start across unless you can clear them completely.
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An alley is a road no wider than what?
25 feet
An alley is any road no wider than 25 feet used to reach the rear or side of buildings.
Section 7 · Alleys ↗ -
Can you be cited for driving too slowly?
Yes, if you block the normal and reasonable flow of traffic
You must slow down for traffic and weather, but you should not block normal traffic flow by driving too slowly.
Section 7 · Heavy Traffic or Bad Weather ↗ -
In a heavy rainstorm you cannot see farther than 100 feet. What is the fastest safe speed?
30 mph
If you cannot see farther than 100 feet, it is not safe to drive faster than 30 mph.
Section 8 · Slippery Roads ↗ -
By how much should you reduce your speed on a wet road?
5 to 10 mph
On a wet road, drive 5 to 10 mph slower than you would on a dry one.
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By how much should you reduce your speed on packed snow?
By half
On packed snow, cut your speed in half.
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How fast should you drive on ice?
No more than 5 mph
On ice, slow to no more than 5 mph.
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The posted limit is 65 mph, but thick fog covers the road. How fast may you drive?
Only as fast as is safe in the fog
Under the Basic Speed Law you may never go faster than conditions safely allow, whatever the sign says.
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Which of these should your speed depend on, whatever the posted limit?
The road surface, such as wet, graveled, or narrow
Road surface is one of the listed factors, along with traffic, weather, and people on the road.
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Which of these is NOT something your speed should depend on?
How late you are running
Speed depends on traffic, road surface, bicyclists and pedestrians, weather, and congestion.
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Which habit helps reduce traffic congestion on a freeway?
Not weaving in and out of lanes
Small changes in driving habits ease congestion. Avoid weaving between freeway lanes.
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On which roads is 65 mph the usual maximum unless otherwise posted?
Most California highways
Unless posted otherwise, 65 mph is the maximum on most California highways.
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Which two cases share a 55 mph maximum unless otherwise posted?
Two-lane undivided highways and vehicles towing trailers
The maximum is 55 mph on a two-lane undivided highway and for any vehicle towing a trailer.
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The 25 mph school limit applies within what distance of the school?
500 feet
The limit covers the area within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing.
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How low can the posted speed limit be in some school zones?
15 mph
Some school zones are posted as low as 15 mph.
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When does the 25 mph limit near a school apply?
While children are outside or crossing the street
The 25 mph limit applies while children are outside or crossing the street.
Section 7 · Around Children ↗ -
When is an intersection considered blind?
When it has no stop signs at any corner
An intersection with no stop signs at any corner is considered blind. Its speed limit is 15 mph.
Section 7 · Blind Intersections ↗ -
Your view is blocked at an intersection. What should you do?
Move slowly forward until you can see
Edge forward slowly until your view opens up.
Section 7 · Blind Intersections ↗ -
Which two places share a 15 mph speed limit?
Alleys and blind intersections
Both alleys and blind intersections have a 15 mph limit. Business and residential districts are 25 mph.
Section 7 · Alleys ↗ -
What is an alley used for?
Reaching the rear or side entrances of buildings or properties
An alley gives access to the rear or side entrances of buildings or properties.
Section 7 · Alleys ↗ -
May you drive across a sidewalk?
Yes, to enter or exit a driveway or alley
Driving on or across a sidewalk is allowed only to enter or leave a driveway or alley.
Section 7 · Alleys ↗ -
A road 20 feet wide leads to the back entrances of some shops. What is its speed limit?
15 mph, because it is an alley
A road no wider than 25 feet that serves rear or side entrances is an alley, and the alley limit is 15 mph.
Section 7 · Alleys ↗ -
A sign in a business district shows 30 mph. Which limit applies?
The posted 30 mph
The 25 mph limit for business and residential districts applies only where no other limit is posted.
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The 15 mph limit near a railroad crossing applies when you cannot see the tracks for how far in both directions?
400 feet
The limit applies within 100 feet of a crossing when the tracks are not visible for 400 feet both ways.
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The 15 mph railroad limit applies within what distance of a crossing where your view of the tracks is limited?
100 feet
The 15 mph limit starts 100 feet from the crossing.
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When may you drive faster than 15 mph near a railroad crossing with a limited view of the tracks?
When the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flagman
Gates, a warning signal, or a flagman at the crossing lift the 15 mph limit.
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What do flashing red warning lights at a railroad crossing mean?
Stop and wait
Flashing red lights mean stop and wait until they stop flashing.
Section 7 · Near Railroad or Light Rail Tracks ↗ -
A person at a crossing warns that a train is coming and you stop 10 feet from the nearest track. Is that far enough?
No, you need at least 15 feet
Whether the warning comes from a device or a person, stop at least 15 feet from the nearest track.
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The gates at a crossing are down and you see no train. What should you do?
Stay put and call the posted railroad emergency number or 911
Never go around lowered gates. Call the posted toll-free railroad emergency number or 911.
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The gates at a crossing are starting to come down. May you drive under them?
No
Do not go under gates that are lowering or around gates that are down.
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You hear a horn or bell as you reach a railroad crossing. What should you do?
Do not cross
Stop, look, and listen. A train in sight, a horn, or a bell means you must not cross.
Section 7 · Near Railroad or Light Rail Tracks ↗ -
A train has just cleared a crossing that has several tracks. What should you do before crossing?
Look both ways and cross only when it is safe
Many crossings have more than one track. Look in both directions before you cross.
Section 7 · Near Railroad or Light Rail Tracks ↗ -
What should you expect at any railroad track?
A train at any time, on any track, from either direction
A train can come on any track, at any time, from either direction.
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Which vehicles ahead of you must stop before crossing train tracks?
Buses, school buses, and vehicles with a hazardous materials placard
Watch for these vehicles stopping at the tracks and be ready to stop behind them.
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How must you adjust your speed in heavy traffic or bad weather?
Drive slower
Heavy traffic and bad weather require a lower speed, without blocking the normal flow of traffic.
Section 7 · Heavy Traffic or Bad Weather ↗ -
You would drive 50 mph on this road when it is dry. Today it is wet. What speed fits the guideline?
40 to 45 mph
A wet road calls for 5 to 10 mph less, which gives 40 to 45 mph.
Section 8 · Slippery Roads ↗ -
You would drive 40 mph on this road when it is dry. Today it is covered in packed snow. What speed fits the guideline?
20 mph
Packed snow calls for half your dry-road speed, which gives 20 mph.
Section 8 · Slippery Roads ↗ -
Which road condition calls for slowing to no more than 5 mph?
Ice
Ice calls for no more than 5 mph. Packed snow calls for half speed and a wet road for 5 to 10 mph less.
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The 30 mph ceiling in a heavy rainstorm or snowstorm applies when you cannot see farther than what distance?
100 feet
When you cannot see farther than 100 feet, more than 30 mph is not safe.
Section 8 · Slippery Roads ↗ -
How should your speed and following gap on a slippery road compare with a dry road?
Slower speed and more space ahead
On rain, snow, or mud, drive more slowly and leave more room to the vehicle ahead.
Section 8 · Slippery Roads ↗