California speed limits and key traffic laws

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain the Basic Speed Law in your own words.
• You can state California's default limits for highways, two-lane roads, towns, school zones and blind intersections.
• You can say when you must stop for a school bus and when you need not.
• You can apply the move-over rule.
• You can recall the main passing rules.

What you need to know and understand

• The Basic Speed Law: never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.
• The maximum on most California highways is 65 mph, and 70 mph is allowed only where signs say so.
• The limit is 55 mph on two-lane undivided highways and for vehicles towing trailers, unless a higher limit is posted.
• The limit is 25 mph in business and residential districts unless posted otherwise.
• Near schools the limit is 25 mph within 500 feet when children are outside or crossing; some school zones are 15 mph.
• The limit is 15 mph at blind intersections, in alleys, and within 100 feet of a railroad crossing when you cannot see 400 feet down the tracks both ways.
• Fines are doubled in posted Safety Enhanced-Double Fine Zones and in work zones when workers are present.

The numbers to remember

A blind intersection is one with no stop signs at any corner where you cannot see far enough to be sure of crossing traffic. An alley is a road no wider than 25 feet used to reach the backs or sides of buildings.

• 65 mph: most highways, unless posted
• 70 mph: only on highways where it is posted
• 55 mph: two-lane undivided highways and when towing
• 25 mph: business and residential districts, and near schools when children are present
• 15 mph: blind intersections, alleys, and some railroad crossings with poor views

School buses and work zones

Yellow flashing lights on a school bus mean slow down and prepare to stop. Red flashing lights mean you must stop, from either direction, and stay stopped until the children have crossed and the lights go off. Breaking this rule can bring a fine of up to $1,000 and a possible one-year suspension. You do not have to stop if the bus is on the other side of a divided highway or a road with two or more lanes in each direction.

In work zones, slow down and follow cones and flaggers. Traffic fines there can reach $1,000 or more.

Move over, slow down, and passing

When you approach a stopped emergency vehicle, a tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle with flashing amber lights, or any stopped vehicle showing hazard lights, cones or flares, move to a lane that is not next to it if it is safe and legal. If you cannot, slow down to a safe speed.

To pass, make sure any hill or curve ahead is at least one-third of a mile away, and do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, tunnel or railroad crossing. On a two-lane road, if five or more vehicles are stuck behind you, use a turnout to let them by. More on how speeding tickets affect your record is in our California points guide.

Common mistakes

• Driving at the posted limit in fog or heavy rain. The Basic Speed Law can make that speed illegal.
• Forgetting the 25 mph school limit applies whenever children are outside or crossing nearby.
• Stopping for a school bus on the far side of a divided highway and causing a rear-end crash.
• Passing a stopped tow truck in the next lane at full speed.

Test yourself: California speed limits and key traffic laws

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• California DMV Points, Traffic Violator School and Suspension
• California Phone Laws for Teen and New Drivers
• California 50 Hours Driving Log