Speed limits

Key points

1. Never drive faster than is reasonable under existing conditions.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “Alabama's basic speed law provides that you must never drive a vehicle at a speed that is faster than reasonable under existing conditions.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 59

2. Speeds over the limits are prima facie evidence of an unlawful speed, and all municipal limits are maximums.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “Speeds in excess of such limits are prima facie evidence that they are unlawful, and you may be arrested. All speed limits in municipalities are maximum speeds.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 59

3. Statutory limits: 30 mph in an urban district and 35 mph on an unpaved road.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “30 miles per hour in an urban district 35 miles per hour unpaved road”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 60

4. 45 mph on a county paved road unless posted, and 55 mph in other locations.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “45 miles per hour county paved road (unless posted) 55 miles per hour in other locations”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 60

5. 65 mph where posted, and 70 mph where posted on interstates.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “65 miles per hour where posted 70 miles per hour where posted on interstate”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 60

6. Where a minimum is posted, driving slower is unlawful under normal conditions.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “Where they are posted, any speed below that minimum is considered to be unlawful under normal weather, road, and traffic conditions.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 60

7. A school zone speed limit applies during the hours shown on the sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “Speed limit in school zone during hours indicated.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 44

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Alabama practice test

1. 1. What does Alabama say about speeds above a statutory limit?

   1. They are prima facie evidence that the speeds are unlawful
   2. They are lawful whenever the driver is on an interstate
   3. They are allowed if the driver signals before accelerating
   4. They are required on roads with posted minimums
   Show answer

   They are prima facie evidence that the speeds are unlawful. Alabama treats a speed above a statutory limit as prima facie evidence that the speed is unlawful, and the manual notes that the driver may be arrested. A posted limit is a ceiling, not a target that becomes optional when traffic is light. The interstate choice confuses a road category with permission to exceed the sign. Signaling has no effect on the speed rule, and a posted minimum concerns driving too slowly, not speeding above the maximum. Read the regulatory sign, then reduce speed for weather, traffic, visibility, and roadway conditions even when the posted maximum is higher.

2. 2. How does Alabama describe speed limits in municipalities?

   1. They are maximum speeds
   2. They are advisory speeds only
   3. They apply only to commercial vehicles
   4. They are minimum speeds during daylight
   Show answer

   They are maximum speeds. The manual states that all speed limits in municipalities are maximum speeds. That means a posted or statutory number is not a required cruising speed, and a driver must still choose a lower safe speed when conditions demand it. Calling the limit advisory understates its legal force. The commercial-vehicle choice narrows a rule that applies broadly, while a minimum speed is the opposite of what this passage says. When driving in a municipality, treat the limit as the upper boundary and adjust downward for congestion, rain, curves, pedestrians, or limited visibility.

3. 3. What does an Alabama school-zone sign indicate during the hours shown on the sign?

   1. Drivers may ignore the sign when its flashing lights are off
   2. A statewide 20 mph limit applies at every school
   3. The ordinary road speed limit applies until children enter the roadway
   4. The posted school-zone speed limit applies during those indicated hours
   Show answer

   The posted school-zone speed limit applies during those indicated hours. A school-zone sign identifies the speed limit that governs during the hours printed on the sign. The manual also notes that the limit may appear on a lighted sign with flashing amber lights. The statewide 20 mph choice invents a single number that this passage does not establish. Waiting for children to enter the road is unsafe because the restriction is tied to the displayed hours, not to a child’s location. A useful roadside cue is to look for the hours or amber flash before choosing your speed, then obey the posted school-zone limit while it applies.

Source: the Alabama Driver Manual, Chapter 6: Traffic Laws. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.