California practice test, speed and limits
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California speed law starts with the basic speed law, section 22350: never faster than is reasonable for the conditions, whatever the sign says. Around it sit the fixed numbers, 65 on most freeways, 55 on a two-lane undivided highway, 25 in residence districts and school zones, 15 in alleys and at blind intersections and crossings. This set also works following distance and the space rules, including the trucks-in-line and emergency vehicle distances that drivers guess at and get wrong.
Each topic set draws up to 20 questions from that topic in the California bank and grades against our practice target of 80 percent. The target is our study goal, not the DMV's pass mark.
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Five sample questions, answers hidden until you tap
On most California highways, what is the highest speed you may drive unless a sign posts a different limit?
✓ Correct answer: 65 mph
California sets a general ceiling rather than a target. Two-lane undivided highways and vehicles towing are held to 55, a posted limit always wins over the general one, and the basic speed law can require less than either when conditions are poor. California Vehicle Code section 22349.
California Vehicle Code section 22349
On a residential street near a school, signs post a limit of 15 mph. A driver says no California street can be posted below 25. Is that right?
✓ Correct answer: No; a local authority may post 15 or 20 mph in a qualifying residence district near a school, and the posted figure governs
Section 22358.4 is the exception drivers miss: in narrow residential streets near schools, a city may set and post 15 or 20. The sign is the law for that street. California Vehicle Code section 22358.4.
California Vehicle Code section 22358.4
Your car has a manual gearbox. On a long downgrade, a friend suggests shifting to neutral to save fuel. What does the law say?
✓ Correct answer: Coasting downhill in neutral is unlawful
In neutral the engine cannot help hold the car back, so the brakes take the whole load and can overheat. Section 21710 bans coasting on a downgrade with the gears in neutral. Stay in gear on a downgrade. California Vehicle Code section 21710.
California Vehicle Code section 21710
Your pickup is not towing anything today. Yesterday, with a boat trailer attached, your freeway maximum was 55. What is it today on a road posted 65?
✓ Correct answer: 65; the 55 limit follows the towing, not the pickup itself
Section 22406 lists combinations and uses, not badges: a passenger vehicle or truck drawing a trailer is in the class; the same vehicle solo is not. Hitch up and the limit drops again. California Vehicle Code section 22406.
California Vehicle Code section 22406
Which statement about exceeding a prima facie limit is right?
✓ Correct answer: It is evidence of unlawful speed, but the driver may show the speed was safe and prudent in the conditions at the time
Prima facie means what it says: at first sight. The figure makes the case, and the driver may answer it with the conditions. Exceeding a maximum limit allows no such answer. California Vehicle Code section 22351.
California Vehicle Code section 22351
Report a wrong answer. Reports are checked against the cited source within two working days, and a right report is fixed in the open, with the date on this page.
Facts strip
- Pass mark
- 80%, as the DMV publishes it
- Our simulators grade on
- Miss allowances: 30 of 36 (adult), 38 of 46 (under 18)
- Questions on the real test
- The DMV publishes no current count
- Time limit
- None published by the DMV
- Application fee
- $46, covers 3 attempts in 12 months
- Retest wait, under 18
- 7 days. No published wait for adults
Facts checked against California DMV pages, 2026-11-03. Official information: California Department of Motor Vehicles, dmv.ca.gov.
Corrections note
No corrections yet. Last checked 2026-11-03, against the California Vehicle Code and DMV published facts.