Tennessee speed laws — Tennessee Permit Test

Unless a sign says otherwise, the speed limit on Tennessee's primary and secondary state and federal highways is 55 mph.

Most open roads are not posted at every mile. The 55 mph default tells you the limit when no sign is in sight.

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on primary and secondary state and federal highways is 55 m.p.h.

Adjust your speed to flow with other traffic, as long as that traffic is moving within the posted speed limit.

Cars moving at different speeds keep meeting and passing. When everyone moves together, there are fewer close calls.

When driving, adjust your speed to flow along with the speed at which other traffic is moving - provided the other traffic is traveling within the posted speed limit.

Slow drivers are as likely to be involved in accidents as speeders.

A car going much slower than the rest makes others brake, swerve and pass. Each of those moves is a chance to crash.

Slow drivers are as likely to become involved in accidents as speeders.

Some residential roads or city streets have speed limits as low as 25 mph at all times.

Kids, pets and parked cars fill neighborhood streets. A low limit gives you time to stop when a child runs out.

residential roads or city streets may have limits as low as 25 or 35 m.p.h. at all times.

School zone speed limits apply when children are going to or from school or during a school recess hour.

Children walking to school or out at recess may dart into the road. The slower limit is set for exactly those times.

Speed limits in all school zones are regulated when children are going to or from the school or during a school recess hour.

Exceeding the school zone speed limit is considered reckless driving under Tennessee law.

A child hit at even a few miles over the limit can be badly hurt. The law treats it as a serious crime, not a small ticket.

Exceeding the school zone speed limit is by law considered to be reckless driving.

Speeding in a school zone adds an automatic 6 points to your driving record.

Points pile up toward losing your license. One school zone ticket takes you a long way there.

The penalty includes an automatic six points added to your driving record, which automatically results in an advisory letter being sent to you.

Unless a sign says otherwise, what is the speed limit on Tennessee's state and federal highways?

55 mph. Most open roads are not posted at every mile. The 55 mph default tells you the limit when no sign is in sight. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.47: “Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on primary and secondary state and federal highways is 55 m.p.h.”