Speed limit sign

R2-1 / Regulatory signs

A SPEED LIMIT sign shows the posted maximum speed in miles per hour. It is a limit for favourable conditions, not a speed you must maintain. Rain, poor visibility, traffic or other hazards may require you to travel more slowly.

Study links for this sign have not been mapped yet.

Speed limit sign (R2-1) — A vertical white rectangle with black SPEED LIMIT lettering and a black number. The number varies by road; the illustration is an example.

What should you do?

Stay within the posted limit and choose a lower speed when conditions require it. Watch for a new limit when entering a different road or zone.

A useful distinction

A yellow advisory-speed plaque recommends a speed for a condition such as a curve. It is different from the white regulatory SPEED LIMIT sign.

Sources & scope

Independent educational summaries by DMV One Way. Sign designs follow MUTCD conventions; state and local rules can add restrictions. Use your current state handbook and the signs on the road for the rules that apply to your trip.

Sources checked October 27, 2026. Current guide illustrations: public-domain FHWA Standard Highway Signs. Historical illustrations: DMV One Way archive.

Speed limit sign

What should you do?

A useful distinction

Merging traffic

Slippery when wet

Road work ahead

Sources & scope

Speed limit sign

What should you do?

A useful distinction

Signs to learn alongside this one

Merging traffic

Slippery when wet

Road work ahead

Sources & scope