Pennsylvania DMV Permit Test: Speed, Passing, and Parking Concepts
Importance ★★★★☆ · 15% (estimate)
Overview
This chapter covers the numbers that control how fast you drive, when you signal, and where you may park. Many test questions ask about one exact distance or speed, so it helps to learn them as a group.
A posted speed limit is the highest safe speed under ideal conditions, so you should drive slower in rain, snow, or heavy traffic. When no limit is posted, Pennsylvania law sets 25 mph in a residential district, 35 mph in an urban district, and 55 mph in other locations. The highest speed limit in Pennsylvania is 70 mph. In a school zone, the limit is 15 mph when the sign's lights are flashing or during the times shown on the sign.
Before you turn, signal at least 100 feet ahead if you are going less than 35 mph, and at least 300 feet ahead at 35 mph or more. Pass only where it is legal and safe, using the lane on the left.
Parking rules keep space clear for emergencies and for drivers to see. Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, or flashing signal at the side of the road, within 20 feet of a fire station driveway, or within 50 feet of the nearest rail at a railroad crossing. When you park next to a curb, your wheels must be no more than 12 inches from it.
Key concepts
Speed limits when none is posted
25 mph in a residential district, 35 mph in an urban district, and 55 mph in other locations. The maximum speed limit anywhere in Pennsylvania is 70 mph.
Memory tip25 at home, 35 in town, 55 elsewhere.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania State Police · as of 2025
School zone speed
The speed limit is 15 mph when the lights on the school zone sign are flashing or during the times shown on the sign.
Memory tipFlashing school sign lights: 15 mph.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PennDOT) · as of 2025
Signaling distance
Use your turn signal at least 100 feet before turning if you are driving less than 35 mph. At 35 mph or more, signal at least 300 feet before turning.
Memory tipUnder 35: 100 feet. 35 or more: 300 feet.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PennDOT) · as of 2025
Passing
Pass on the left, and only where lines and signs allow it and the passing lane is clear. Do not pass across a solid yellow line on your side, a double solid yellow line, or in a marked no passing zone.
Memory tipIf you cannot see far enough ahead to pass safely, do not pass.
No parking distances
Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, 30 feet of a flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign, or other traffic control device at the side of the road, 20 feet of a fire station driveway, or 50 feet of the nearest rail at a railroad crossing.
Memory tipHydrant 15, crosswalk 20, stop sign 30, railroad 50.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PennDOT) · as of 2025
Parking at a curb
Park as close to the curb as possible, with your wheels no more than 12 inches away. If there is no curb, pull as far off the roadway as you can.
Memory tip12 inches is one foot: keep within a foot of the curb.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PennDOT) · as of 2025
Often tested
- With no posted limit: 35 mph in an urban district and 55 mph in other locations.
- School zone: 15 mph when the sign's lights are flashing.
- Signal at least 100 feet before a turn below 35 mph, and 300 feet at 35 mph or more.
- No parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or 30 feet of a stop sign.
- Park no more than 12 inches from the curb.
Easy to confuse: Parking distances
| Do not park within | Of |
|---|---|
| 15 feet | A fire hydrant |
| 20 feet | A crosswalk at an intersection |
| 20 feet | A fire station driveway |
| 30 feet | A stop sign, yield sign, or flashing signal at the roadside |
| 50 feet | The nearest rail at a railroad crossing |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. No speed limit sign is posted. What is the speed limit in an urban district in Pennsylvania?
- ① 25 mph
- ② 35 mph
- ③ 45 mph
- ④ 55 mph
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ② 35 mph
Key point: No posted limit in an urban district: 35 mph
When no limit is posted, Pennsylvania sets 35 mph in an urban district, 25 mph in a residential district, and 55 mph in other locations.
Wrong choices
- 25 mph: 25 mph is the limit for a residential district.
- 45 mph: 45 mph is not the unposted limit for any district.
- 55 mph: 55 mph is the unposted limit for other locations, outside urban and residential districts.
Question 2. How close to a fire hydrant may you park?
- ① No closer than 30 feet
- ② No closer than 20 feet
- ③ No closer than 15 feet
- ④ No closer than 10 feet
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ③ No closer than 15 feet
Key point: Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Firefighters need room to connect hoses quickly.
Wrong choices
- No closer than 30 feet: 30 feet is the distance for a stop sign, yield sign, or flashing signal at the side of the road.
- No closer than 20 feet: 20 feet is the distance for a crosswalk at an intersection or a fire station driveway.
- No closer than 10 feet: 10 feet is too close. The rule is 15 feet.
Question 3. The lights on a school zone speed sign are flashing. What is the speed limit?
- ① 25 mph
- ② 20 mph
- ③ 35 mph
- ④ 15 mph
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ④ 15 mph
Key point: School zone with flashing lights: 15 mph
The school zone speed limit is 15 mph when the lights on the school zone sign are flashing, or during the times shown on the sign. Watch for children.
Wrong choices
- 25 mph: 25 mph is the unposted limit for a residential district, not a school zone.
- 20 mph: The school zone limit is 15 mph, not 20.
- 35 mph: 35 mph is the unposted limit for an urban district.
AI-written · Verified · Written by AI. Only units that passed a separate AI check (re-reading facts and numbers) are published. Tell us if you find a mistake.