California's Basic Speed Law means you must:

• A.Always drive exactly at the posted limit
• B.Drive at the posted limit even in dense fog
• C.Match the speed of the fastest driver nearby
• D.Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, even if that is below the posted limit

Why

The posted limit is a maximum for good conditions. The Basic Speed Law requires a slower speed whenever weather, visibility, traffic, or the road surface makes the limit unsafe.

Manual topic: California Driver Handbook - Speed Limits · From the California Learner's Permit (Car) practice bank (CAC-032).

Practice the full California Learner's Permit (Car) test

More Speed Limits & Following Distance questions

• Unless a different speed is posted, what is the maximum speed on most California freeways?
• Where posted, some California freeways may allow a maximum speed of:
• Unless posted otherwise, the speed limit on a two-lane undivided highway in California is:
• Unless posted otherwise, the speed limit in a residential district is:
• Within 500 to 1,000 feet of a school, while children are outside or crossing, the speed limit is generally: