California DMV · Class C · Based on the 2025 California Driver’s Handbook
California DMV Speed Limits Practice Questions (2026)
Speed questions test California's Basic Speed Law and a handful of specific limits you must memorize. The core rule is that you may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, no matter what the posted limit is.
Free practice questions
1Generally, under which of the following circumstances should you drive with extra care:
- A When driving near schools, playgrounds, and within residential areas
- B When passing a large truck on a highway
- C When attempting to view a managed accident scene
- D When driving within a downtown commercial district
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A — Correct. Per the handbook, the speed limit near schools is 25 mph when children are outside, and you must watch for children, pedestrians, and school buses; residential districts also have a 25 mph limit and call for extra care.
Why the other options are wrong
- B Incorrect. Passing a large truck on the left and getting past its side quickly is a routine maneuver, not the kind of high-risk area the question refers to.
- C Incorrect. Per the handbook, driving to a fire or accident scene interferes with rescue work and can even get you arrested; you should not go to look.
- D Incorrect. Business districts also call for caution, but the handbook specifically stresses schools, playgrounds, and residential areas, where children may suddenly run out.
Handbook: §7 Near schools
2Suppose you are caught in heavy traffic congestion where the posted speed limit is 65 mph. If the surrounding flow of traffic is traveling at approximately 35 mph, how should you adjust your speed?
- A Reduce your speed to 25 mph.
- B Reduce your speed to 35 mph.
- C Increase your speed to 70 mph.
- D Maintain your speed at 65 mph.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B — Correct. Per handbook Section 8, your speed should depend on the number of vehicles on the road and their speed; in congestion, slow down with traffic to about 35 mph.
Why the other options are wrong
- A Incorrect. Going 10 mph slower than traffic blocks the normal flow, and the handbook notes you can be ticketed for driving too slowly without reason.
- C Incorrect. 70 mph is over the posted 65 mph limit and extremely dangerous in congested traffic.
- D Incorrect. The speed limit is a maximum, not a required speed; keeping 65 mph when traffic is moving at 35 mph violates the Basic Speed Law.
Handbook: §8 Managing your speed
3If the speed limit on a highway is 55 mph, what speed should you drive at when the road is wet?
- A Obey the speed limit requirements and drive at 55 mph.
- B Drive at a speed 5-10 mph faster than the speed limit.
- C Drive at a speed 5-10 mph slower than the speed limit.
- D Drive at a speed 20-25 mph slower than the speed limit.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C — Correct. Per Section 8 of the handbook, reduce your speed by 5-10 mph on a wet road; on packed snow, cut your speed in half; on ice, go no faster than 5 mph.
Why the other options are wrong
- A Incorrect. The Basic Speed Law requires you to slow down when conditions get worse; the handbook says to drive 5-10 mph below the speed limit on a wet road.
- B Incorrect. You may never exceed the posted speed limit, and on a wet road you should slow down even more.
- D Incorrect. The handbook says to slow down 5-10 mph on wet roads; slowing by 20-25 mph is too slow and may block traffic.
Handbook: §8 Slippery roads
Practice all 59 Speed questions
The full bank has 1,000+ questions across 15 topics, each explained option by option and available in 8 languages beside the original English.
What you need to know
- Basic Speed Law: you may never drive faster than is safe for current road conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit. §8
- Unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed on most California highways is 65 mph; it is 55 mph on a two-lane undivided highway and for vehicles towing trailers. §8
- The speed limit is 25 mph within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street; some school zones are as low as 15 mph. §7
- In business or residential districts the speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted. §7
- The speed limit at a blind intersection (no stop signs at any corner) is 15 mph; if your view is blocked, move forward slowly until you can see. §7
- The speed limit in an alley (a road no wider than 25 feet) is 15 mph. §7
- The limit is 15 mph within 100 feet of a railroad crossing when you cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions, unless the crossing has gates, a warning signal, or a flagman. §7
- When a bus, streetcar, or trolley is stopped at a safety zone or traffic light, you may pass at no more than 10 mph. §7
Common traps on the test
- Assuming driving at the posted limit is always legal — under the Basic Speed Law you must slow down when conditions require it, and you can be cited for driving faster or slower than the limit.
- Mixing up the railroad numbers: it is 15 mph within 100 feet of the crossing when you cannot see 400 feet down the tracks in both directions.
- Choosing to drive as slowly as possible in bad weather — you must slow down, but you should not block normal and reasonable traffic flow by driving too slowly.
FAQ
What is the speed limit near a school in California?
25 mph within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street, unless a lower limit is posted; some school zones are as low as 15 mph.
What is California's Basic Speed Law?
You may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, such as traffic, road surface, weather, and pedestrians or bicyclists, regardless of the posted speed limit.