Wisconsin speed limits and key traffic laws

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state Wisconsin's default limits for residential areas, school zones and outlying areas of cities and villages.
• You can keep a safe following distance in good and bad conditions.
• You can pass another vehicle legally and safely.
• You can respond correctly to school buses, work zones and stopped emergency vehicles.

What you need to know and understand

• Unless a sign says otherwise: 25 mph in residential areas, 15 mph in school zones when children are present, and 35 mph in outlying parts of cities and villages.
• On highways and freeways, follow the posted limit. A posted limit is the most you may drive in ideal conditions.
• Keep a following distance of at least four seconds, adding a second for each bad condition.
• Traffic fines double in work zones.
• Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus with flashing red lights.
• When passing an emergency vehicle stopped with lights flashing, move to a lane away from it, or slow down if you cannot move over.

Matching your speed to the road

The limits above are maximums. Rain, snow, fog, darkness, heavy traffic and pedestrians all mean slowing down. Bridges freeze first in winter, so ease off before you reach them.

Look 10 to 15 seconds ahead and check your rearview mirror every 6 to 8 seconds, so speed changes are smooth rather than sudden.

Passing on two-lane roads

• Pass one vehicle at a time and never exceed the speed limit to do it.
• Return to your lane once you can see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your mirror.
• Use a paved shoulder to pass only a vehicle that is stopped or turning left.
• Do not pass in a no-passing zone, marked by a yellow pennant sign and solid yellow lines on your side.

School buses, work zones and snowplows

When a school bus shows flashing red lights, stop at least 20 feet away and wait until the lights stop. In work zones, slow down, follow flaggers, and use a phone only to report an emergency.

Wisconsin winters bring snowplows. Stay at least 200 feet behind one with flashing lights. The site has a deeper guide to learning to drive in Wisconsin that covers seasonal driving.

Common mistakes

• Driving 25 mph in a school zone because it is a residential street. When children are present the limit is 15 mph.
• Following too closely on the freeway. Count four seconds from a fixed point.
• Speeding up to finish a pass. You must never exceed the limit while passing.
• Tailgating a snowplow to escape spray. Keep back at least 200 feet.

Test yourself: Wisconsin speed limits and key traffic laws

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

Go deeper

• How to Get a Driver’s License in Wisconsin
• Wisconsin 50 Hour Driving Log and Sponsor Rules
• Wisconsin Permit Test