Speed limits — Michigan Permit Test

Michigan's Basic Speed Law means you must drive at a careful and prudent speed that always lets you stop within the clear distance ahead.

The posted limit is the most you may drive in good conditions. Rain, fog or traffic can make it too fast.

Drive at a speed that always allows you to stop within the clear distance ahead.

A careful and prudent speed is never faster than the posted limit and, depending on conditions, may be slower.

A safe speed in clear weather can be dangerous on ice, so the limit is a ceiling, not a target.

This speed is never faster than the posted speed limit.

The speed limit is 15 mph in mobile home parks and some municipal parks.

People walk and children play close to the roads in these parks, so cars have to crawl.

15 mph – In mobile home parks and some municipal parks.

The speed limit is 25 mph in platted subdivisions and condominium complexes.

Homes, driveways and children are close to the road in a subdivision, so traffic must be slow.

25 mph – In platted subdivisions

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is 55 mph on all streets that are not designated freeways and on all highways.

55 is the default when no sign says otherwise, outside freeways.

55 mph – Unless otherwise posted, on all streets that are not designated freeways and on all highways.

Unless posted otherwise, freeways have a 70 mph maximum and a 55 mph minimum speed.

A minimum keeps very slow vehicles from becoming a hazard to fast freeway traffic.

70 mph maximum/55 mph minimum – On all freeways unless posted otherwise.

Unless posted otherwise, the maximum speed on Michigan freeways is 70 mph.

Freeways have no cross traffic or stops, so they allow the highest speed.

70 mph maximum/55 mph minimum – On all freeways unless posted otherwise.

On freeways, school buses and trucks are restricted to 65 mph, and to 55 mph where the freeway limit is less than 70 mph.

Heavy vehicles take much longer to stop, so they are held to a lower speed.

School buses and trucks are restricted to 65 mph.

On freeways with speed limits less than 70 mph, school buses and trucks are restricted to 55 mph.

Where the road itself calls for a lower limit, the heaviest vehicles drop lower still.

On freeways with speed limits less than 70 mph, school buses and trucks are restricted to 55 mph.

A work zone has a 45 mph limit only if it is posted; if it is not posted for 45 mph, the normal speed limit for that area applies.

The lower limit is tied to the sign, so drivers know exactly where it starts and stops.

If a work zone is not posted for 45 mph, then the speed limit is the normal speed limit for that area.

What does Michigan's Basic Speed Law require?

A speed that lets you stop within the clear distance ahead. The posted limit is the most you may drive in good conditions. Rain, fog or traffic can make it too fast. What Every Driver Must Know, p.26: “Drive at a speed that always allows you to stop within the clear distance ahead.”