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California driving lesson · Vehicle Safety & Distraction

Managing your speed

A 3-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Vehicle Safety & Distraction
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
56, 73, 74

California's Basic Speed Law says you may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, whatever the posted limit. Speed limits are a ceiling, not a target.

Basic Speed Law

In California, you may never drive faster than is safe for the current road conditions.

Handbook p. 73 ↗

Regardless of the posted limit, your speed should depend on:

  • The number of vehicles on the road
  • The speed of other vehicles
  • The road surface: smooth, rough, graveled, wet, dry, wide, or narrow
  • Bicyclists or pedestrians on or crossing the road
  • Weather: rain, fog, snow, wind, or dust
  • Traffic congestion; avoid weaving in and out of freeway lanes
Handbook p. 73 ↗
65 mph

Ideal maximum speed on most California highways, unless posted otherwise

Handbook p. 73 ↗
55 mph

Limit on a two-lane undivided highway and for vehicles towing trailers

Handbook p. 73 ↗

Know the rule

You must drive slower in heavy traffic or bad weather, but you should not block normal and reasonable traffic flow by driving too slowly.

Handbook p. 56 ↗

Know the rule

If you drive faster or slower than the speed limit, you may be cited.

Handbook p. 56 ↗

Know the rule

If another driver is close behind and wants to go faster, move to the right. If you choose to drive slower than other traffic, use the right lane.

Handbook p. 56 ↗

Know the rule

When there are dangers on both sides of the road, give more space to the more dangerous one.

Handbook p. 74 ↗

Know the rule

Take one danger at a time: rather than drive between an oncoming vehicle and a bicyclist, slow down and let the vehicle pass, then move left to give the bicyclist at least three feet.

Handbook p. 74 ↗

Know the rule

If there is a steady flow of oncoming vehicles, use as much of the left lane as you safely can to pass the bicyclist.

Handbook p. 74 ↗

Put it into practice

The posted limit is 65 mph but thick dust is blowing across the freeway and you can barely see the car ahead. Driving 65 would break the Basic Speed Law. Slow down to a speed that is safe for the conditions.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the Basic Speed Law in California?
  1. You must always drive the posted speed limit
  2. Never drive faster than is safe
  3. You must drive at least the minimum posted speed
  4. You may exceed the limit by 5 mph if traffic allows

Answer: Never drive faster than is safe

The Basic Speed Law says you may never drive faster than is safe for the current conditions, regardless of posted limits.

Handbook p. 73 ↗
Unless otherwise posted, what is the ideal maximum speed limit on most California highways?
  1. 55 mph
  2. 70 mph
  3. 65 mph
  4. 60 mph

Answer: 65 mph

Unless otherwise posted, the ideal maximum speed limit on most California highways is 65 mph.

Handbook p. 73 ↗
What is the speed limit on a two-lane undivided highway or for vehicles towing trailers?
  1. 65 mph
  2. 45 mph
  3. 50 mph
  4. 55 mph

Answer: 55 mph

The speed limit is 55 mph on a two-lane undivided highway and for vehicles towing trailers.

Handbook p. 73 ↗
You face an oncoming vehicle to your left and a bicyclist ahead to your right on a two-lane road. What should you do?
  1. Let the car pass, then move left around the cyclist
  2. Drive between them at normal speed
  3. Speed up to clear both quickly
  4. Stop in your lane until both clear

Answer: Let the car pass, then move left around the cyclist

When hazards are on both sides, address one at a time rather than threading between them.

Handbook p. 74 ↗
Besides the posted limit, what should your speed always depend on?
  1. Your vehicle's size and power
  2. Traffic, road surface, weather, and pedestrians
  3. The speed you usually drive there
  4. The posted minimum speed

Answer: Traffic, road surface, weather, and pedestrians

Your speed should reflect real conditions: traffic, road surface, weather, and pedestrians or bicyclists present.

Handbook p. 73 ↗
Can you be cited for driving slower than the flow of traffic and blocking it unnecessarily?
  1. No, slower is always legal
  2. No, only speeding can be cited
  3. Yes, for blocking traffic flow
  4. Only on freeways

Answer: Yes, for blocking traffic flow

You should not block normal and reasonable traffic flow by driving too slowly; doing so may result in a citation.

Handbook p. 56 ↗
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