Speed limits
You are driving past a school, less than 500 feet from it, and there are children outside or crossing the street. Unless a lower limit is posted, what is the speed limit?
- 15 mph.
- 25 mph. Correct answer
- 35 mph.
Why
The default limit near a school is 25 mph, and it applies within 500 feet of the school while children are outside or crossing the street. The handbook notes that some school zones post limits as low as 15 mph, so a posted 15 mph sign overrides the default, but 15 is not the baseline. Fifteen is the number the handbook attaches to other places: blind intersections, alleys, and railroad crossings where you cannot see the tracks for 400 feet. Near a school, look for crossing guards and school safety patrols and obey their directions at all times, and watch for stopped school buses: yellow flashing lights mean prepare to stop, red flashing lights mean you must stop.
Where this comes from
California Driver's Handbook, June 2025 edition. The correct answer is 25 mph.
- Section 7. Laws and Rules of the Road › Around Children, page 50
- Section 7. Laws and Rules of the Road › Blind Intersections, page 51
- Section 7. Laws and Rules of the Road › Near Railroad or Light Rail Tracks, page 51
- Section 7. Laws and Rules of the Road › Alleys, page 51
- Section 7. Laws and Rules of the Road › Around Children, page 51
The rule behind this one
California speed limits and the basic speed law goes through the whole topic, with the page of the California Driver's Handbook behind every rule.
In real life
More on speed limits
- Unless a different limit is posted, what is the maximum speed limit on a two-lane undivided highway in California?
- An intersection has no STOP signs on any corner and your view of the cross street is blocked. What is the speed limit as you approach?
- In a heavy rainstorm you cannot see farther than 100 feet ahead. According to the handbook, what is the fastest it is safe to drive?
- The road is covered in ice. By how much does the handbook say you should reduce your speed?