Road signs/Speed Limit Sign
Speed Limit Sign: what it means and what to do
A speed limit sign shows the maximum legal speed for that stretch of road under ideal conditions. In rain, fog, traffic or darkness, the safe speed can be lower.
What it looks like
A white vertical rectangle with black SPEED LIMIT lettering and a number in miles per hour. Questions in our banks show limits from 15 to 80 mph.
What to do
- Stay at or below the posted limit, and drop below it when conditions are poor.
- Watch for a changed limit after intersections, school zones, work zones and where the road changes character.
- Treat an advisory speed on a yellow warning sign as the safe speed for a curve, even if it is lower than the limit.
On the permit test
Tests ask what the number means, whether it is a minimum or a maximum (it is a maximum), and what to do in bad weather.
Where it shows up on state tests
9 questions across our state banks show this sign. Here is how many each bank has, and what each state's own test rules say about road signs.
| State | Questions showing it | What the state says about signs |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1 | No separate sign section published. |
| Georgia | 1 | Two separate tests: road signs (20 questions) and road rules (20 questions). |
| North Carolina | 1 | Separate road-signs test: identify at least 9 of 12 signs. |
| New Jersey | 1 | No separate sign section published. |
| New York | 1 | 4 of the 20 questions are about road signs, and at least 2 of those 4 must be correct — even with 14 right overall. |
| Ohio | 1 | 40 multiple-choice questions on motor vehicle regulations and traffic signs. |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | No separate sign section published. |
| Virginia | 1 | Part one is 10 traffic-sign questions and you must answer all 10 correctly before part two opens. |
| Washington | 1 | No separate sign section published. |
How it differs from similar signs
| Sign | How to recognise it | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Speed Limit Sign | White rectangular SPEED LIMIT 55 sign | A speed limit sign shows the maximum legal speed for that stretch of road under ideal conditions. |
| Curve Right Sign | Yellow diamond warning sign with a black arrow curving to the right | A curve right sign means the road bends to the right ahead. |
| Winding Road Sign | Yellow diamond warning sign with a black winding arrow | A winding road sign means there are three or more curves in a row ahead. |
| Road Work Ahead Sign | Orange diamond sign reading ROAD WORK AHEAD | A road work ahead sign means workers or equipment are on or near the road ahead. |
See them side by side
Common questions
No. It is the most you may drive in ideal conditions. Rain, fog, heavy traffic or a hazard can make a lower speed the safe and legal choice.
A yellow sign, often under a curve warning, with the recommended maximum speed for that curve. It is safer to follow it even when it is below the posted limit.
All road signs Practice your state’s permit test free
Sources, checked 2026-10-08: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 2: Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings; New Jersey Driver Manual (rev. 09/25); Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (FHWA). Written in our own words; follow your state’s manual for the exact wording.