North Dakota speed limits

Key points

1. Speed limits are maximums for ideal conditions; never drive faster than the limit or conditions allow.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Speed limits are maximum limits to be traveled only when driving conditions are ideal. Sometimes conditions may require you to drive slower than the posted speed limit allows. Never drive faster than the posted speed limit or conditions allow.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 20

2. 20 mph when approaching a railway crossing where your view of the track is obstructed, unless posted otherwise.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “20 miles per hour when approaching any railway crossing when your view of the track is obstructed, unless otherwise posted.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 20

3. 20 mph passing a school during recess or when children are arriving or leaving, unless posted otherwise.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “20 miles per hour when you pass by a school during school recess or while children are going to or leaving school during opening or closing hours of school, unless otherwise posted.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 20

4. 25 mph in business and residential districts unless posted.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “25 miles per hour in a business or residential district, unless otherwise posted.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 20

5. 55 mph on gravel, dirt or loose surface roads unless posted, and on unposted paved two lane county and township roads.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “55 miles per hour on gravel, dirt, or loose surface roads unless otherwise posted, and on paved two-lane county and township highways if there is no speed limit posted.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 20

6. 65 mph on rural paved two lane highways if posted for that speed.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “65 miles per hour on rural paved 2-lane highways if posted for that speed.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 20

7. 70 mph on paved divided multi lane highways; 80 mph on rural interstates, unless posted otherwise.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “70 miles per hour on paved and divided multi-lane highways, unless otherwise posted. • 80 miles per hour on rural Interstate highways, unless otherwise posted.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 20

8. Authorities may also post minimum speed limits.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Authorities may also post minimum speed limits if deemed necessary for the safe movement of traffic.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 20

9. Speeding in a work zone with workers present carries an $80 minimum fee.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “Failure to comply with work zone speed limits carries an $80 minimum fee when work is in progress and workers are present.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 13

Numbers to know

3 questions from the North Dakota practice test

1. 1. What is the maximum speed for a rural Interstate highway unless another speed is posted?

   1. 80 miles per hour
   2. 70 miles per hour
   3. 65 miles per hour
   4. 50 miles per hour
   Show answer

   80 miles per hour. North Dakota lists 80 miles per hour as the maximum on rural Interstate highways unless a different speed is posted. The 70 mile figure belongs to paved and divided multilane highways, while 65 applies to a rural paved two lane highway only when posted. The 55 mile figure covers gravel, dirt, loose surface roads and certain unposted county or township roads. Identify the road type before selecting the number.

2. 2. What is the maximum speed when approaching a railway crossing where the view of the track is obstructed?

   1. 45 miles per hour unless otherwise posted
   2. 25 miles per hour unless otherwise posted
   3. 20 miles per hour unless otherwise posted
   4. 55 miles per hour unless otherwise posted
   Show answer

   20 miles per hour unless otherwise posted. When the driver's view of a railway crossing is obstructed, the maximum approach speed is 20 miles per hour unless another speed is posted. The 25 mile choice belongs to a business or residential district, while the higher numbers fit open roadway categories rather than this limited view. Reduce speed early enough to see the crossing and stop if needed. The visual obstruction is the cue that activates this special limit.

3. 3. When may a driver travel 65 miles per hour on a rural paved two lane highway?

   1. Whenever the driver is passing
   2. Whenever the road is dry
   3. When that speed is posted
   4. Only between sunrise and sunset
   Show answer

   When that speed is posted. The 65 mile maximum applies on a rural paved two lane highway only when the highway is posted for that speed. Dry pavement, a passing maneuver, and daylight do not create an exception to the posting requirement. Even a posted 65 remains a maximum, so poor visibility or traffic can require a slower pace. Look for the sign before treating this road category as a 65 mile roadway.

Source: the North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Rules of the Road. 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.