Oregon Speed Limits

Oregon Speed Limits (5 questions). Correct answers and explanations are noted under each question.

1. 1. In Oregon, what is the default speed limit in a residential district when no other speed is posted?

   1. 15 mph
   2. 20 mph
   3. 25 mph (correct)
   4. 55 mph

   Why: Oregon law sets a 25 mph default in residential districts (and in public parks and on permitted ocean shores). The default applies wherever the area meets the statutory definition of a residential district, even if no speed limit sign is posted.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Speed Regulations, Speed Limits," p.19.

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

   1. 15 mph
   2. 20 mph (correct)
   3. 25 mph
   4. Whatever speed the surrounding road allows

   Why: 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."

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "School Zones," p.49.

3. 3. You're driving on a downtown street in any Oregon city, lined with shops and restaurants. There is no posted speed limit sign. What speed limit applies?

   1. 20 mph (correct)
   2. 25 mph
   3. 15 mph
   4. 55 mph

   Why: Oregon's statutory speed limits apply whether or not a sign is posted. The default for any business district is 20 mph. A downtown street lined with shops and restaurants meets that description, so the 20 mph limit applies even with no sign in place.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Speed Regulations - Speed Limits," p.19.

4. 4. You're driving on an Oregon road that doesn't fit any of the standard categories: not residential, not business district, not interstate, not posted. What speed limit applies?

   1. 35 mph
   2. 45 mph
   3. 55 mph (correct)
   4. 65 mph

   Why: Oregon's catch-all default is 55 mph. The manual lists 55 mph as the limit "On all roads and highways not meeting any other definition unless otherwise posted." Most rural state highways and unposted secondary roads default to this speed.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Speed Regulations - Speed Limits," p.19.

5. 5. Oregon interstate speed limits:

   1. are uniformly 65 mph statewide
   2. are uniformly 70 mph statewide
   3. vary by location (correct)
   4. are set by individual counties, not the state

   Why: Oregon interstate speed limits vary by location. The manual's Interstate Speed Limits entry states that speed limits will vary on interstate highways, so there is no single statewide number to memorize. Obey whatever speed is posted on the segment you are traveling.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Speed Regulations - Interstate Speed Limits," p.19.