Dc speed limits — District of Columbia Permit Test

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on District of Columbia city streets is 20 miles per hour.

City streets are full of people walking and biking, and a person hit at 20 mph is far more likely to live than one hit faster.

District of Columbia city streets is 20 miles per hour

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in a District of Columbia alley is 15 miles per hour.

Alleys are narrow, with garage doors and people stepping out behind cars, so there is no room to stop at speed.

District of Columbia alley is 15 miles per hour

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in a District of Columbia school zone is 15 miles per hour.

Children dart out without looking, and a slow car can stop before it reaches one.

District of Columbia School Zone is 15 miles per hour

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on ordinary highways is 30 to 50 miles per hour.

Ordinary highways have cross streets and driveways, so limits stay below those of roads built for through traffic.

On Ordinary Highways 30 – 50 miles per hour

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on divided highways is 30 to 55 miles per hour.

A median keeps oncoming traffic apart, which allows a little more speed than an undivided road.

On Divided Highways 30 – 55 miles per hour

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on interstate highways is 55 to 75 miles per hour.

Interstates have no cross traffic or driveways, so they are built for the highest speeds in the District.

On Interstate Highways 55 – 75 miles per hour

Unless posted otherwise, what is the speed limit on District city streets?

20 mph. City streets are full of people walking and biking, and a person hit at 20 mph is far more likely to live than one hit faster. DC Driver Manual, p.80: “District of Columbia city streets is 20 miles per hour”