Alabama: Speed and following distance — Part 3 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “What does Alabama's basic speed law say you must never do?” · “What is the statutory speed limit on a county paved road, unless posted otherwise?”
Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV
Ready? Test yourself
- Instant feedback with an explanation
- Every answer cites its source in the manual
- Your best score is saved on this device
Questions are original and based on the official manual "Alabama Driver Manual" (November 2024), Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Driver License Division.
All 18 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
Show the questions and answersHide the questions
-
What does Alabama's basic speed law say you must never do?
- Drive faster than the statutory limit in any weather
- Drive faster than is reasonable under existing conditions
- Drive faster than the average speed of other vehicles
- Drive faster than 55 miles per hour on any road
Show answer
Correct answer: Drive faster than is reasonable under existing conditions
The basic speed law prohibits driving at a speed faster than reasonable under existing conditions.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 59 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 59)
-
Which of these should you consider when deciding what speed is reasonable?
- The color of your vehicle
- The number of passengers you carry
- The brand of your tires
- Your own physical condition
Show answer
Correct answer: Your own physical condition
The manual lists road, weather, vehicle condition and your own physical condition as the factors to consider.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 59 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 59)
-
According to the manual, what is the greatest danger of excessive speed?
- It makes collisions more severe
- It makes collisions happen twice as often
- It wears out the vehicle's brakes
- It causes drivers to miss their exits
Show answer
Correct answer: It makes collisions more severe
The manual says the greatest danger of excessive speed is the increased severity of collisions rather than their frequency.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 59 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 59)
-
What does the manual say about driving faster than the speed limit set by traffic laws for normal driving conditions?
- It is lawful as long as no other vehicle is nearby on the road
- It is lawful if you are passing another vehicle
- It is prima facie evidence of unlawful speed, and you may be arrested
- It is only a warning offense the first time
Show answer
Correct answer: It is prima facie evidence of unlawful speed, and you may be arrested
Speeds in excess of the limits are prima facie evidence that they are unlawful, and a driver may be arrested.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 59 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 59)
-
How does the manual describe speed limits in municipalities?
- They are minimum speeds
- They are maximum speeds
- They are suggested speeds only
- They are average speeds for the area
Show answer
Correct answer: They are maximum speeds
The manual states that all speed limits in municipalities are maximum speeds.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 59 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 59)
-
When do statutory speed limits apply?
- Only on roads that have no signs at all along them
- Only during daylight hours
- Only on roads outside a municipality
- Unless other speed zones are posted on regulatory signs
Show answer
Correct answer: Unless other speed zones are posted on regulatory signs
Statutory limits apply unless other speed zones have been established and posted on regulatory signs.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 59 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 59)
-
What is the statutory speed limit in an urban district?
- 30 miles per hour
- 25 miles per hour
- 35 miles per hour
- 45 miles per hour
Show answer
Correct answer: 30 miles per hour
The statutory list gives 30 miles per hour in an urban district.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
-
What is the statutory speed limit on an unpaved road?
- 30 miles per hour
- 45 miles per hour
- 35 miles per hour
- 55 miles per hour
Show answer
Correct answer: 35 miles per hour
The statutory list gives 35 miles per hour on an unpaved road.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
-
What is the statutory speed limit on a county paved road, unless posted otherwise?
- 35 miles per hour
- 45 miles per hour
- 55 miles per hour
- 65 miles per hour
Show answer
Correct answer: 45 miles per hour
The statutory list gives 45 miles per hour on a county paved road unless posted.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
-
What statutory speed limit applies in other locations not covered by a specific limit in the list?
- 45 miles per hour
- 65 miles per hour
- 70 miles per hour
- 55 miles per hour
Show answer
Correct answer: 55 miles per hour
The statutory list gives 55 miles per hour in other locations.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
-
In the manual's list of statutory limits, where does the 65 miles per hour limit apply?
- Where posted
- In an urban district
- On an unpaved road
- On a county paved road
Show answer
Correct answer: Where posted
The list gives 65 miles per hour where posted.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
-
What is the statutory speed limit where posted on an interstate?
- 55 miles per hour
- 60 miles per hour
- 70 miles per hour
- 65 miles per hour
Show answer
Correct answer: 70 miles per hour
The list gives 70 miles per hour where posted on an interstate.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
-
Where a minimum speed limit is posted, how is a speed below it considered under normal weather, road, and traffic conditions?
- Lawful if you use your hazard lights
- Unlawful
- Lawful in the right lane
- Lawful if you follow a slower vehicle
Show answer
Correct answer: Unlawful
Where minimum limits are posted, any speed below the minimum is unlawful under normal conditions.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
-
What does the manual say about driving too slowly?
- Driving slowly is always the safest choice on any road
- Slow driving is allowed only in the left lane
- Slow driving is unlawful only on interstate highways
- Never drive so slowly that you interfere with other traffic
Show answer
Correct answer: Never drive so slowly that you interfere with other traffic
The manual says many accidents are caused by drivers who block or hinder other traffic by driving too slowly.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
-
When does the manual say slower speeds are necessary?
- When approaching a street, highway, or railroad crossing
- Only when you approach an interstate entrance ramp
- Only when the road surface is wet or icy
- Only when you drive through a school zone
Show answer
Correct answer: When approaching a street, highway, or railroad crossing
The manual says slower speeds are necessary when approaching or crossing a street, highway, or railroad crossing.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
-
Besides approaching a street, highway or railroad crossing, when does the manual say slower speeds are necessary?
- When you drive on a straight, empty road
- When you drive in a school zone only
- When approaching flags, flares, or fuses on roads
- When the vehicle behind you is following closely
Show answer
Correct answer: When approaching flags, flares, or fuses on roads
Slower speeds are necessary when approaching flags, flares, or fuses on roads.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
-
When does the manual say you should slow down?
- When approaching a long straight stretch
- When approaching crests of hills and curves
- When driving on a freshly paved road
- When another driver passes you
Show answer
Correct answer: When approaching crests of hills and curves
The manual says to slow down when approaching crests of hills and curves.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
-
About what share of the fatal motor vehicle crashes in Alabama occur during the hours of darkness?
- About half
- About one-tenth
- About one-fourth
- About three-fourths
Show answer
Correct answer: About half
The manual says approximately half of Alabama's fatal motor vehicle crashes happen in the dark.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 69 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 69)