Use this guide to review California speed rules that depend on location and conditions, especially school zones, residential areas, alleys, and blind intersections.
QUICK ANSWER
California speed questions are often about the situation, not just a posted number. The handbook lists 25 mph in business or residential districts unless otherwise posted, 25 mph within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing, and 15 mph in alleys and at blind intersections. Some school zones may be posted as low as 15 mph.
STUDY NOTES
School zones and school buses
Near schools, watch for children, bicyclists, crossing guards, and stopped school buses. Yellow school-bus lights warn you to slow down and prepare to stop. When the bus flashes red lights, vehicles generally must stop from either direction and remain stopped while the red lights flash. The handbook lists an exception when the bus is on the other side of a divided or multilane highway with two or more lanes in each direction.
15 mph situations
- Blind intersection: 15 mph when the intersection meets the handbook's blind-intersection conditions.
- Alley: 15 mph.
- Railroad crossing: 15 mph within 100 feet when you cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions, unless the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flagger.
Conditions can require a slower speed
The handbook tells drivers to slow down in heavy traffic or bad weather. A posted limit is not a promise that the posted speed is safe in every condition.
PRACTICE CHECKS
Check your understanding
Answer each question before opening the explanation.
1. What is the speed limit within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing?
Show answer
Answer: 25 mph, unless a lower school-zone limit is posted.
DMV lists 25 mph in this situation and notes that some school zones may be as low as 15 mph.
2. What is the speed limit in an alley?
Show answer
Answer: 15 mph.
The California Driver's Handbook lists 15 mph for alleys.
3. What should yellow flashing lights on a school bus tell you?
Show answer
Answer: Slow down and prepare to stop.
Yellow lights warn that the bus is preparing to stop for children.
FAQ
Common questions
What is the speed limit in a California residential district?
The California Driver's Handbook lists 25 mph in business or residential districts unless otherwise posted.
Do I always stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
Generally yes. DMV says traffic in both directions must stop while the red lights flash, but you do not need to stop when the bus is on the other side of a divided or multilane highway with two or more lanes in each direction.
What is the speed limit at a blind intersection?
The handbook lists 15 mph for a blind intersection when your view is blocked under the conditions described by DMV.
VERIFY THE RULE
Official source
This study page was reviewed against the DMV material below. Open the source when you want the complete rule, exceptions, or surrounding context.
Last reviewed: August 16, 2026 · Reviewed by Master My Test