New York practice test, speed and limits
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New York speed law under section 1180: no speed that isn't reasonable and prudent, a maximum of 55 where no lower limit is posted, and school zone and work zone rules on top. The work zone questions carry the February 2026 points change with them, a flat 8 points for speeding in a construction zone, where the value used to ride on how fast you were going. New York City's 25 mph default is city law under state authority, and the questions say so.
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Five sample questions, answers hidden until you tap
On a New York road where no speed limit is posted, what is the highest lawful speed?
✓ Correct answer: 55 mph
New York's general ceiling is 55. Bigger figures belong to other states or to roads where a higher limit is actually posted, which New York does not use for its general rule. (VTL section 1180(b).)
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1180, checked 2026-11-03
A friend says every New York City street is limited to 20 mph. Are they right?
✓ Correct answer: No. The citywide default is 25 mph where no different limit is posted
Individual streets can be posted lower than the default, and some are. The citywide default, where no different limit is posted, is 25. (VTL section 1642.)
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1642 and the city limit set under it, checked 2026-11-03
Two drivers agree at a light to race to the next junction. Beyond any speeding, what offence have they committed?
✓ Correct answer: Taking part in a speed contest on a highway
A race is banned as a contest, whatever the speeds reached. The law names the competition itself. (VTL section 1182.)
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1182, checked 2026-11-03
A work zone limit is posted with a sign saying FINES DOUBLED in some areas, but your question is simpler: the zone posts 35. What is the limit?
✓ Correct answer: 35 mph
Whatever else a zone sign carries, the number on it is the limit. The arithmetic drivers invent around it has no legal standing. (VTL section 1180(f).)
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1180(f), checked 2026-11-03
You drive in Queens on a street with no posted limit, then cross into Nassau County onto an unposted road. What changes?
✓ Correct answer: The default changes: 25 mph in the city, the general 55 mph ceiling outside it where no lower limit is posted
Two defaults meet at the city line. In the city the default set under state authority is 25, and outside it the state's general ceiling is 55 where no lower limit is posted. (VTL sections 1180(b) and 1642.)
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law sections 1180(b) and 1642, and the city limit set under section 1642, checked 2026-11-03
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Facts strip
- Questions on the real test
- 20, and 4 are about road signs
- To pass
- At least 14 of 20, and at least 2 of the 4 sign questions
- Time limit
- None published by the DMV
- Retest
- No fee, no published limit or wait
- Permit and licence fee
- $64.25 to $102.50, by age and district
- Minimum age
- 16
Facts checked against New York DMV pages, 2026-11-03. Official information: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, dmv.ny.gov.
Corrections note
No corrections yet. Last checked 2026-11-03, against the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, 15 NYCRR Part 131, and DMV published facts.