Driver's License Test Prep
Oregon Practice Speed Limits

What is the speed limit inside an active Oregon school speed zone?

  1. A.
    Whatever speed the surrounding road allows
  2. B.
    20 mph Correct
  3. C.
    15 mph
  4. D.
    25 mph
The Why

The answer is "20 mph"

Inside any active school speed zone, the limit drops to 20 mph. The zone begins at the SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT 20 sign and ends at an END SCHOOL ZONE sign or the next posted speed sign. Whether the zone is 'active' depends on the sign type: flashing lights, posted hours, or 'when children are present.' Drivers who reach for D are applying the 25 mph residential-district default and missing that the school-zone limit takes over while the zone is active.

Why the others miss

The traps in the wrong answers

A. Whatever speed the surrounding road allows

School-zone signs override the surrounding road's speed limit; the 20 mph zone applies whenever the sign is active. This answer ignores that the school speed zone is defined by school speed signs and imposes its own reduced 20 mph limit regardless of the surrounding road.

C. 15 mph

15 mph is the default for alleys and narrow residential streets, not school zones. This answer confuses the 15 mph default that applies in alleys and narrow residential areas with the separate 20 mph school-zone limit.

D. 25 mph

25 mph is the standard residential default, but inside a school zone, the lower 20 mph limit takes over while the zone is active. This answer applies the 25 mph residential-district default and overlooks that the 20 mph school-zone limit overrides it while the zone is active.

The Rule

This question tests your knowledge of Speed Limits in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "School Zones," p.49..

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