Michigan: Speed & following distance Practice Test
The Basic Speed Law, standard speed limits, and work-zone speeding penalties.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "What Every Driver Must Know" (October 2025), Michigan Secretary of State.
Did you know?
- In 1904, the speed limit in Saginaw was 8 mph for cars and 10 mph for bicycles.
- In 1922, the Detroit Police Department began keeping traffic crash statistics.
- In 1945, the first chemical test to identify suspected drunken drivers was administered by the Detroit Police Department.
More background reading from the manual →
All 7 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.
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Michigan's Basic Speed Law requires drivers to travel at a speed that...
- always matches the posted speed limit exactly
- always allows you to stop within the clear distance ahead
- is set purely by surrounding traffic regardless of conditions
- is always at least 10 mph below the posted limit
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Correct answer: always allows you to stop within the clear distance ahead
The Basic Speed Law requires a careful and prudent speed that lets a driver stop within the clear distance ahead, which may be slower than posted but never faster.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 26 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 26)
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According to the manual's standard speed limits, where does 25 mph generally apply?
- Freeways
- Freeway on-ramps
- Rural highways
- Platted subdivisions
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Correct answer: Platted subdivisions
The manual lists 25 mph as the standard limit in platted subdivisions and condominium complexes.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 26 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 26)
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According to the manual, a 15 mph speed limit is generally standard in which locations?
- Mobile home parks
- School zones during dismissal
- Business districts
- Hospital zones
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Correct answer: Mobile home parks
The manual lists mobile home parks and some municipal parks under the 15 mph standard.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 26 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 26)
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Unless posted otherwise, what are the maximum and minimum speed limits on Michigan freeways?
- 65 mph maximum / 45 mph minimum
- 70 mph maximum / 55 mph minimum
- 75 mph maximum / 50 mph minimum
- 70 mph maximum, no minimum
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Correct answer: 70 mph maximum / 55 mph minimum
The manual sets a 70 mph maximum and 55 mph minimum on freeways unless posted otherwise.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 26 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 26)
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On freeways posted at 70 mph, what is the maximum speed generally allowed for school buses and trucks?
- 55 mph
- 60 mph
- 70 mph, same as other traffic
- 65 mph
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Correct answer: 65 mph
School buses and trucks are restricted to 65 mph on freeways posted at 70 mph (55 mph where the posted limit is lower).
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 26 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 26)
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In a posted work zone, how many points does a driver receive for speeding more than 15 mph over the limit?
- Five points
- Two points
- Three points
- Four points
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Correct answer: Five points
The manual assigns 5 points for exceeding a work-zone limit by more than 15 mph (versus 3 for up to 10 mph over and 4 for 11-15 mph over).
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit on streets that are not designated freeways and on highways in Michigan?
- 45 mph
- 55 mph
- 60 mph
- 65 mph
Show answer
Correct answer: 55 mph
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is 55 mph on all streets that are not designated freeways and on all highways.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 26 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 26)