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Oklahoma driving lesson · Speed Rules and Night Driving

The Basic Speed Rule and posted limits

A 3-minute lesson from the Oklahoma 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
Speed Rules and Night Driving
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
40, 41

A posted speed limit is the most you may drive under ideal conditions, not a promise that it's safe. Oklahoma's Basic Speed Rule says your speed must suit the conditions right now, so you can stop without hitting anyone. You can break it while driving under the limit.

Basic Speed Rule

Consider all the conditions that affect your driving, drive at a speed safe for them, and be able to stop without hitting anyone. It sets no exact limit; conditions limit your speed.

Handbook p. 40 ↗

Your speed must be reasonable and proper for:

  • Amount of traffic and speed of traffic
  • Whether pedestrians are present, especially children in school zones
  • Surface of the road: rough or smooth, paved, gravel
  • Width of the road: one-lane, two-lane, four-lane
  • Structure of the road: straight, curving, bridges, narrow shoulders
  • Visibility: how far ahead you can see clearly
  • Weather and air: rain, snow, ice, fog, smoke, dust
  • Your own driving ability
Handbook p. 40 ↗

Know the rule

Your speed must be careful and prudent. You must not drive so slowly that you block, hinder or interfere with vehicles moving at normal speeds.

Handbook p. 40 ↗

Know the rule

Adjust your speed so you can stop within the assured clear distance ahead.

Handbook p. 40 ↗

Know the rule

If the limit is 65 mph but you're driving at night on a two-lane state highway in rain or heavy fog, 65 mph is too fast for those conditions.

Handbook p. 40 ↗

Know the rule

If the car ahead stops suddenly and you can't stop in time, you are either breaking the Basic Speed Rule (even within the posted limit) or following too closely.

Handbook p. 40 ↗
$654 / 30 days

Maximum fine and jail sentence on conviction of speeding

Handbook p. 40 ↗

Know the rule

Speeding fines double in school and construction zones when workers or equipment are present.

Handbook p. 40 ↗

State speed limits, unless otherwise posted

State speed limits, unless otherwise posted
RoadLimit
Turnpikes80 mph
Controlled access highways75 mph
Undivided state highways65 mph
County roads55 mph
Highways in state parks or wildlife refuges35 mph
Marked school zone on a highway outside a city/town25 mph
Handbook p. 41 ↗

Know the rule

Cities and towns can set their own speed limits, which change by zone. Watch for and obey speed limit signs in business, residential and school zones.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Put it into practice

A county road has no speed limit sign. The default is 55 mph, but it's dusk, the gravel is loose and you can't see past a hill ahead. The Basic Speed Rule requires a slower speed that lets you stop within the distance you can see.

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.

The posted limit is 65 mph, but it's foggy with low visibility. What does the Basic Speed Rule require?
  1. Slow down below 65 for conditions
  2. Drive exactly 65 mph, it's the law
  3. Drive at least 55 mph
  4. Drive 65; limits already allow for weather

Answer: Slow down below 65 for conditions

The Basic Speed Rule requires a speed that's safe for conditions, even below the posted limit.

Handbook p. 40 ↗
What is Oklahoma's speed limit on turnpikes, unless otherwise posted?
  1. 75 mph
  2. 80 mph
  3. 70 mph
  4. 65 mph

Answer: 80 mph

Turnpikes carry an 80 mph state speed limit unless otherwise posted.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
What is Oklahoma's speed limit on undivided state highways, unless otherwise posted?
  1. 55 mph
  2. 75 mph
  3. 65 mph
  4. 70 mph

Answer: 65 mph

Undivided state highways carry a 65 mph limit, different from the 75 mph controlled-access and 80 mph turnpike limits.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
Speeding fines are doubled in school and construction zones when workers or equipment are present.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Fines double in these zones for the safety of workers and children.

Handbook p. 40 ↗
What is Oklahoma's speed limit on county roads, unless otherwise posted?
  1. 55 mph
  2. 65 mph
  3. 45 mph
  4. 35 mph

Answer: 55 mph

County roads carry a 55 mph state limit unless otherwise posted.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
What is Oklahoma's speed limit within state parks or wildlife refuges, unless otherwise posted?
  1. 25 mph
  2. 35 mph
  3. 45 mph
  4. 55 mph

Answer: 35 mph

State parks and wildlife refuges carry a lower 35 mph limit for safety.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
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