Texas Driver Handbook 2017

Chapter 8: Speed and Speed Limits 

Texas Driver Handbook

Table 24: Speed Limits

Type of Roadway

Speed 

(MPH)

Urban District

30

Alley

15

Beaches and County Roads adjacent to a public beach (if declared by the commissioners court of the county)

15

Highway numbered by Texas or the U.S. outside an urban district including Farm to Market and Ranch to Market roads

Passenger cars, motorcycles, light truck, passenger car or light truck towing a trailer or semi-trailer, truck or truck-tractor, truck or 

truck-tractor towing a trailer or semi-trailer, buses, school activity bus.

School Buses which have passed a commercial vehicle inspection.

70 

60

Highway not numbered by Texas or the U.S. and outside an urban district:

Passenger cars, motorcycles, light truck, passenger car or light truck towing a trailer or semi-trailer, truck or truck-tractor, truck or 

truck-tractor towing a trailer or semi-trailer, buses, school activity bus.

School buses that have not passed a commercial vehicle inspection or are traveling on a highway not numbered by Texas or the U.S.

60 

50

After meeting certain requirements, the Texas Transportation Commission has the authority to raise the speed limit to  

75 mph on parts of the state highway system if the Commission determines the speed limit is a reasonable and safe speed for that 

section of the highway. The Texas Transportation Commission also has the authority, after meeting certain requirements, to raise 

the speed limit to not more than 85 mph on a part of the highway if that part is designed to accommodate travel at that speed and the 

Commission determines that speed is reasonable and safe.

The  Texas  Transportation  Commission  may  also  establish  a  speed  limit  of  80  mph  on  a  part  of  IH-10  or  IH-20  in  Crock-

ett, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kerr, Kimble, Pecos, Reeves, Sutton, or Ward County if the Commission determines  

80 mph is a reasonable and safe speed for that section of the highway.

Slow Down or Move Over

If an emergency medical vehicle, law enforcement vehicle, fire truck, tow truck, or a Texas Department of Transportation vehicle 

(TxDOT) is stopped on the road with its lights activated (the lights are on or flashing), then the driver is required:

1.  To reduce his/her speed to 20 mph below the speed limit; or

2.  Move out of the lane closest to the emergency medical vehicle, law enforcement vehicle, fire truck, tow truck or a 

TxDOT vehicle if the road has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction.

There are other instances where it is important to be observant of vehicles stopped in the road. Mail, delivery, and trash-collection 

vehicles often make frequent stops in the roadway. Drivers must proceed with caution, and, if possible, change lanes before safely 

passing one of these vehicles on the road. 

Street Racing

Street racing, also known as drag racing, is illegal and can result in serious injuries or fatalities. Illegal street racers put other drivers 

at risk because races are typically held on public roads. Due to the high speeds, drivers are unable to react to common road hazards 

or other driving situations, which often results in crashes.

Illegal street racing also causes unnecessary property damage, including extensive wear on roads (due to the high-powered engines 

damaging asphalt), which requires costly repairs at the expense to the tax-payer.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2012 there were 10,219 speeding-related fatalities 

nationwide, representing 30% of all motor vehicle fatalities in that year. Of these fatalities, 1,247 (12.2%) occurred in Texas. In 2012, 

12% of all speeding-related fatalities occurred on interstate highways.

A person may not participate in:

1.  A race;

2.  A vehicle speed competition or contest;

3.  A drag race or acceleration contest;

4.  A test of physical endurance of the operator of a vehicle; or

5.  In connection with a drag race, an exhibition of vehicle speed or acceleration, or to make a speed record.

The criminal penalty for a conviction of Speed Racing ranges from a Class B misdemeanor to a second-degree felony.

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Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations 

Texas Driver Handbook

Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations

Driving at night is much more dangerous than driving during the day. Many people do not see as well at night. When taking a trip, 

it is safer to drive during daylight hours. Also, never drive when you are tired.

Headlights

Slow down when driving at night and be sure you can stop within the distance lit by your headlights.

You must use your headlights beginning 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise, or anytime when individuals 

or vehicles cannot be seen clearly for at least 1,000 feet.

Avoid looking directly into the headlights of approaching vehicles; shift your eyes down to the lower right side of your traffic lane. 

Use your low beam headlights when:

1.  Within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle

2.  Following closely (within 300 feet) behind another vehicle

3.  Driving on lighted roads

4.  Driving in fog, heavy rain, sleet, snow, or dust

If you must park on an unlighted highway at night, leave your parking lights or low beam headlights on.

Highway Driving

Freeways, toll-roads, throughways, turnpikes, and expressways are designed for maximum safety, but you must know how to use 

them properly. In Texas, a highway is defined as the width between the boundary lines of a publicly maintained way any part of 

which is open to the public for vehicular travel.

Before Using a Highway

Plan your trip in advance so you know your entrance, direction, and exit. Make sure you and your car are in good condition. If you 

cannot or do not want to drive at or above the minimum speed limit, do not use the highway.

Entering the Highway

1.  You must yield the right-of-way to vehicles already on the highway.

2.  Enter the speed change lane, stay to the right, signal left, and when it is clear, increase your speed to merge with the flow of 

traffic.

Speed up when entering the freeway

Driving on the Highway

Choose the Proper Lane

1.  Use the right lane to drive at the minimum posted speed limit or below the normal flow of traffic.

2.  Use the middle or left lane if you are traveling faster than other traffic or passing other vehicles.

3.  If you plan to leave the freeway soon, change to the exit lane as soon as possible.

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