Speed limits and safe speeds

Key points

1. The maximum on all Vermont roads is 50 mph unless posted.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “The maximum speed for any vehicle on all Vermont roads is 50 miles per hour or as posted.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 28

2. The maximum on a Vermont interstate is 65 mph unless posted.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “The maximum speed for any vehicle on an Interstate in Vermont is 65 miles per hour or as posted.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 28

3. At intersections, curves, in heavy traffic, work zones, bad weather or near pedestrians and cyclists, drive at a safe speed.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “At intersections, on curves, in heavy traffic, through construction zones, during bad weather, and when pedestrians or bicyclists are present, you must drive at a speed that is safe for the driving conditions.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 28

4. Sometimes even 10 mph can be unsafe.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “Sometimes even 10 miles per hour can be an unsafe speed.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 28

5. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “FINES ARE DOUBLED FOR SPEEDING IN A WORK ZONE”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

6. Most work zone crashes are rear end crashes from speeding and following too closely.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Most crashes in work zones are rear end crashes that are caused by driving too fast for conditions and failing to maintain a safe following distance.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

7. On the interstate, drive 55 or 60 mph instead of 65 to save fuel, up to 15 percent.

   Source: Handbook p. 68

   “On the interstate, drive 55 or 60 miles per hour instead of 65 to save fuel. EPA estimates up to a 15 percent improvement in fuel economy by following this tip alone.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 68

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Vermont practice test

1. 1. What is the maximum speed for a vehicle on Vermont roads unless a different limit is posted?

   1. 35 miles per hour
   2. 55 miles per hour
   3. 50 miles per hour
   4. 65 miles per hour
   Show answer

   50 miles per hour. Vermont's general maximum for roads is 50 miles per hour unless a different limit is posted. The 65 mile per hour figure is reserved for an Interstate in Vermont or applies when posted there, so it is too high for the broad road rule. A driver must still reduce speed when traffic, weather, curves, intersections, construction, pedestrians, or bicyclists make the posted maximum unsafe. Think of 50 as the general ceiling, not a guarantee that speed is always appropriate.

2. 2. What happens to fines for speeding in a Vermont work zone?

   1. They are doubled
   2. They are waived if workers are not visible
   3. They are reduced by half
   4. They are unchanged from ordinary speeding fines
   Show answer

   They are doubled. Vermont doubles fines for speeding in a work zone. The rule is tied to the designated work-zone setting, not to whether a driver can see workers at the exact moment of the violation. A waiver, reduction, or unchanged penalty would understate the consequence printed in the manual. The study cue is to slow to the posted work-zone speed, adjust for weather, follow the signs, and remember that work-zone rules apply around the clock.

3. 3. What must a driver do when an intersection has pedestrians or bicyclists present?

   1. Maintain the posted speed and continue
   2. Drive at a speed that is safe for the conditions
   3. Stop only if a police officer is present
   4. Use the shoulder to pass through quickly
   Show answer

   Drive at a speed that is safe for the conditions. The manual treats pedestrians and bicyclists as conditions requiring a safe, adjusted speed at intersections. Maintaining the posted speed without considering people in the roadway can still be unsafe, because the posted number is not a command to travel that fast in every circumstance. Waiting for an officer or using the shoulder creates no lawful shortcut. The concrete cue is to scan the intersection early and ease off the accelerator whenever vulnerable road users are present.

Source: the Vermont Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Driving Safely and Studying for Your Permit. 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.