Rules of the road
Driving in the United States
Every value below links to the official source it was checked against, with the date it was checked. What is not verified yet says so.
Speed limits
Speed limit on the motorway
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- Texas 75 mph The commission may set 80 or 85 where the road is designed for it — the highest signed limits in the country. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
- California 65 mph The general maximum unless 70 is posted. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Speed limit on country roads
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- Texas 70 mph The statutory maximum unless the commission raises it for a numbered highway. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
- California 55 mph On a two-lane undivided highway, and for anything towing a trailer. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Speed limit in towns and cities
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- Texas 30 mph The default through an urban district unless zoned otherwise. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Alcohol
How much alcohol you may have in your blood
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- California 0.08 % BAC Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Alcohol limit for professional drivers
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- California 0.04 % BAC Commercial vehicles, and passenger-for-hire driving. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Your licence and age
Whether you need an International Driving Permit
Depends on where your licence is from
Depends on your licence country and on the state. Not every state requires an International Driving Permit, and the US does not issue them to visitors — get one at home before travelling. Check the destination state's motor vehicle department.
Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Phones at the wheel
Holding a phone while driving
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- California Not allowed Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Hands-free phone calls
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- California Allowed, with restrictions Adults may use hands-free mode. Drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Who goes first
Turning at a red light
Varies by regionNo single national answer — it depends on the region:
- California Allowed After a complete stop at the limit line, yielding to pedestrians, unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
If something goes wrong
Not yet verified for the United States
These rules exist, but no value has been checked against an official source yet. Missing beats wrong.
- Which side of the road you drive on
- Which side you overtake on
- Speed limit on a dual carriageway
- Speed limit in living and residential zones
- Speed limit in rain or snow
- Speed limit for drivers who passed their test recently
- Speed limit when towing a trailer or caravan
- Alcohol limit for drivers who passed their test recently
- Youngest age you may drive
- Youngest age you may rent a car
- How long you may drive on your own licence
- What you must carry in the car
- What you should carry, but do not have to
- When you must switch your headlights on
- Headlights in tunnels
- Who has priority at a roundabout
- Priority to traffic coming from the right
- Who must wear a seatbelt
- Age below which a child needs a child seat
- Height below which a child needs a child seat
- Youngest age a child may sit in the front
- What the lines and painted kerbs mean
- How you pay to park
- Parking on the pavement
- Parking facing against the traffic
- How far you must park from a junction or crossing
- What happens if you park wrongly
- Winter tyres
- When winter tyre rules apply
- Snow chains
- How you pay for motorways
- Low-emission zones
- Congestion charges
- Typical fines
- Whether police can fine you on the spot