Speed and speed limits
Questions and answers
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In general, at what speed should you drive?
The same speed as the main stream of traffic
Keep pace with the main flow of traffic, always within the speed limit.
Chapter 8 · Speed ↗PDF, 29 MB -
How does your speed affect the distance you should keep from the car ahead?
The faster you drive, the greater the distance
Higher speed needs more room to stop, so leave a bigger gap.
Chapter 8 · Speed ↗PDF, 29 MB -
At 30 mph or less on a good road, what is the minimum following time behind the car ahead?
2 seconds
At 30 mph or less in good conditions, keep at least 2 seconds between you and the car ahead.
Chapter 8 · Speed ↗PDF, 29 MB -
Above 30 mph on a good road, what following gap should you keep?
4 seconds
Above 30 mph in good road conditions, maintain a 4 second gap.
Chapter 8 · Speed ↗PDF, 29 MB -
What following interval is best practice for a beginning driver?
Four seconds
A four-second following interval gives a less experienced driver more time to react.
Chapter 8 · Speed ↗PDF, 29 MB -
How should you change your following time when road conditions are poor?
Allow more time
The 2 and 4 second gaps are for good conditions. On poor roads, leave more time.
Chapter 8 · Speed ↗PDF, 29 MB -
About how long does it take the average person to think, react and apply the brakes?
1-1/2 seconds
The average driver needs about one and a half seconds before the brakes are even applied.
Chapter 8 · Approximate Stopping Distances ↗PDF, 29 MB -
With good brakes on dry, level pavement, about how many feet does it take to stop from 20 mph?
63 feet
The stopping distance table gives 63 feet to stop from 20 mph, including reaction distance.
Chapter 8 · Approximate Stopping Distances ↗PDF, 29 MB -
About how many feet does it take to stop from 30 mph in good conditions?
109 feet
From 30 mph, the handbook table shows about 109 feet to stop.
Chapter 8 · Approximate Stopping Distances ↗PDF, 29 MB -
About how many feet does it take to stop from 40 mph in good conditions?
164 feet
From 40 mph, the table shows about 164 feet to stop.
Chapter 8 · Approximate Stopping Distances ↗PDF, 29 MB -
About how many feet does it take to stop from 50 mph in good conditions?
229 feet
From 50 mph, the table shows about 229 feet to stop.
Chapter 8 · Approximate Stopping Distances ↗PDF, 29 MB -
About how many feet does it take to stop from 60 mph in good conditions?
303 feet
From 60 mph, the table shows about 303 feet to stop.
Chapter 8 · Approximate Stopping Distances ↗PDF, 29 MB -
About how many feet does it take to stop from 70 mph in good conditions?
387 feet
From 70 mph, the table shows about 387 feet to stop, and that is with good brakes and tires on dry pavement.
Chapter 8 · Approximate Stopping Distances ↗PDF, 29 MB -
Under what conditions do the handbook’s stopping distances apply?
Good brakes and tires on dry, level pavement
The distances assume ideal conditions. On wet roads or with worn parts, stopping takes longer.
Chapter 8 · Approximate Stopping Distances ↗PDF, 29 MB -
You feel tired and unwell. What does the handbook advise?
Do not drive
Adjust to your physical condition. If you are tired or not feeling well, do not drive at all.
Chapter 8 · Speed ↗PDF, 29 MB -
What should you do when the road is wet?
Slow down and increase your following distance
Even a little rain makes roads slippery and your car harder to control.
Chapter 8 · Speed ↗PDF, 29 MB -
What should you do when the road is crowded?
Slow down and increase your following distance
Heavy traffic is one of the times to slow down and leave more space.
Chapter 8 · Speed ↗PDF, 29 MB -
When your vision is limited, within what distance should you always be able to stop?
The distance you can see ahead
Never out-drive your range of vision. You should be able to stop within the distance you can see.
Chapter 8 · Speed ↗PDF, 29 MB -
When your car is not moving, how wide is your field of vision?
180 degrees or more
Standing still you can see 180 degrees or more. Speed narrows that view.
Chapter 8 · Speed Reduces Your Field of Vision ↗PDF, 29 MB -
At 20 mph, how much is your field of vision reduced to?
About 2/3
Even at 20 mph your field of vision shrinks to about two thirds of what it is when stopped.
Chapter 8 · Speed Reduces Your Field of Vision ↗PDF, 29 MB -
At 40 mph, how much is your field of vision reduced to?
About 2/5
At 40 mph your field of vision is reduced to about two fifths.
Chapter 8 · Speed Reduces Your Field of Vision ↗PDF, 29 MB -
At 60 mph, how much is your field of vision reduced to?
About 1/5
At 60 mph you see only about one fifth of what you see when stopped.
Chapter 8 · Speed Reduces Your Field of Vision ↗PDF, 29 MB -
Which speed limits must Texas drivers obey?
Both posted minimum and maximum limits
Drivers must obey both minimum and maximum posted speed limits.
Chapter 8 · Speed Limits ↗PDF, 29 MB -
The speed limit is 65 mph but heavy rain is falling. What must you do?
Adjust your speed and following distance
Speed limits are for normal conditions. In bad weather, heavy traffic or low visibility, you must slow down.
Chapter 8 · Speed Limits ↗PDF, 29 MB -
Who may change the speed limits shown in the state speed limit table?
Cities and counties
Cities and counties have authority to change the limits in the table, so watch for posted signs.
Chapter 8 · Speed Limits ↗PDF, 29 MB -
An entity sets a speed limit for a road. How must the daytime and nighttime limits compare?
They must be the same
Whoever sets or changes a speed limit must use the same limit for day and night.
Chapter 8 · Speed Limits ↗PDF, 29 MB -
What is the speed limit in an urban district unless otherwise posted?
30 mph
The table gives a 30 mph limit for urban districts.
Chapter 8 · Speed Limits ↗PDF, 29 MB -
What is the speed limit in an alley?
15 mph
Alleys have a 15 mph limit.
Chapter 8 · Speed Limits ↗PDF, 29 MB -
What is the speed limit on a beach or county road next to a public beach, if declared by the county?
15 mph
If the county commissioners court declares it, beaches and adjacent county roads have a 15 mph limit.
Chapter 8 · Speed Limits ↗PDF, 29 MB -
What is the speed limit for a passenger car on a Texas or U.S. numbered highway outside an urban district?
70 mph
Numbered highways outside urban districts, including Farm to Market roads, have a 70 mph limit for passenger cars.
Chapter 8 · Speed Limits ↗PDF, 29 MB -
What is the speed limit on a numbered highway for a school bus that has passed a commercial vehicle inspection?
60 mph
School buses that passed a commercial vehicle inspection may go 60 mph on numbered highways.
Chapter 8 · Speed Limits ↗PDF, 29 MB -
What is the speed limit for a passenger car on a highway outside an urban district that is not numbered by Texas or the U.S.?
60 mph
Highways outside urban districts that have no state or U.S. number carry a 60 mph limit.
Chapter 8 · Speed Limits ↗PDF, 29 MB -
What is the speed limit for a school bus that has not passed a commercial vehicle inspection?
50 mph
Such school buses, and school buses on highways without a state or U.S. number, are limited to 50 mph.
Chapter 8 · Speed Limits ↗PDF, 29 MB -
What speed limits do many limited access highways in Texas have?
75 up to 85 mph
Based on traffic studies, many limited access highways are posted at 75 to 85 mph.
Chapter 8 · Speed Limits ↗PDF, 29 MB -
A police car is stopped on the road with its lights flashing. If you cannot move over, how much must you slow down?
To 20 mph below the speed limit
Slow to 20 mph below the limit, or move out of the lane next to the stopped vehicle on a multi-lane road.
Chapter 8 · Slow Down or Move Over ↗PDF, 29 MB -
A tow truck is stopped with its lights on and your side of the road has two lanes. What may you do instead of slowing down?
Move out of the lane closest to the tow truck
On a road with multiple lanes in your direction, you may move out of the lane next to the stopped vehicle.
Chapter 8 · Slow Down or Move Over ↗PDF, 29 MB -
Which of these vehicles is covered by the Slow Down or Move Over law when stopped with lights on?
A TxDOT vehicle
The law covers emergency, police, fire, tow, utility service and TxDOT or other highway maintenance vehicles.
Chapter 8 · Slow Down or Move Over ↗PDF, 29 MB -
A mail truck is making frequent stops in your lane. What should you do?
Proceed with caution and change lanes before passing if possible
Mail, delivery and trash vehicles stop often. Go carefully and change lanes to pass if you can.
Chapter 8 · Slow Down or Move Over ↗PDF, 29 MB -
What is the range of criminal penalties for a street racing conviction in Texas?
Class B misdemeanor to second-degree felony
Street racing is illegal, and the penalty ranges from a Class B misdemeanor up to a second-degree felony.
Chapter 8 · Street Racing ↗PDF, 29 MB -
Which of these is against Texas street racing law?
A test of physical endurance of a driver
The law forbids races, speed contests, drag races, acceleration contests and driver endurance tests.
Chapter 8 · Street Racing ↗PDF, 29 MB
Questions and answers by topic
- Your license to drive75
- Inspection, registration and insurance28
- Safety responsibility17
- Right-of-way55
- Traffic signals and pavement markings52
- Road signs118
- Signaling, passing and turning42
- Parking, stopping and standing40
- Special driving situations90
- Alcohol and drugs61
- Crashes29
- Pedestrians and bicycles35
- Additional safety tips59