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DMV Permit · Speed Limits

What is the speed limit in a residential area or business district when no limit is posted?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Typically 25-35 mph depending on state default rules

  1. A There is no default; you can drive any speed
  2. B 55 mph
  3. C Typically 25-35 mph depending on state default rules
  4. D 70 mph

Why this is the answer

When no speed limit is posted, every state has 'default' or 'absolute' limits based on the road type. Typical defaults: 25 mph in business and residential districts (some states 30 or 35); 55-65 mph on rural highways; 65-70 mph on Interstates. School zones during posted hours are typically 15-25 mph. Alleys are typically 15 mph. These defaults are part of state vehicle code and apply automatically when signs are not posted or are obscured. The 'basic speed law' applies on top of these limits: even at the legal limit, you can be ticketed for driving too fast for conditions like rain, fog, or heavy traffic.
Source: State driver handbooks, Default Speed Limits

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About this topic: Speed Limits

Speed limit questions cover the default limits in school zones, residential areas, business districts and highways, the basic speed rule (never faster than conditions allow) and how to adjust speed for weather and traffic. This is one of 11 Rules of the Road questions on speed limits, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our DMV Permit exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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