Choose speed using both the posted limit and what you can see ahead. Slow before curves, school crossings and areas with limited sight distance. A limit is a ceiling under suitable conditions, not a target you must reach. State defaults and special-zone rules differ: do not memorize one state's numbers as a rule for the whole country. A common mistake is keeping the same speed when rain reduces grip or when you cannot stop within the visible distance. Leave more space and reduce speed before the hazard.
10 free practice questions on speed limits for the Texas DPS written knowledge test, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Study them here, then check yourself in the interactive quiz or the exam simulator.
2. The maximum speed limit on most Texas highways is:
60 mph
65 mph
70 mph on most highways
✓ 75 mph on most rural highways (up to 80 mph in West Texas, and 85 mph on one tollway)
Explanation: 75 mph is the standard limit on most rural Texas highways; some West Texas interstates allow 80 mph, and State Highway 130 near Austin is posted at 85 mph — the highest speed limit in the US.
4. Speeding well above the posted limit (for example, 100+ mph) can result in:
A warning only for the first violation
✓ A significant fine, and possibly a license suspension in serious cases
Only a penalty point
A standard fine with no additional consequences
Explanation: Extreme speeding is treated as a serious offense in every state—fines increase sharply, and repeated or extreme violations can lead to license suspension.
5. The “Basic Speed Law” means that you must drive slower than the posted speed limit when:
You're running late
✓ Weather, traffic, or road conditions make the specified speed limit unsafe
A police officer happened to be nearby
This rule never applies—the specified limit is always safe
Explanation: The fundamental rule regarding speed requires drivers to travel at a speed that is safe for the current conditions, even if it is below the posted limit.