You must not drive faster than the speed limit for the type of road and your type of vehicle. The speed limit is the absolute maximum – it doesn’t mean it’s safe to drive at this speed in all conditions.
National speed limits
A speed limit of 30 miles per hour (48km/h) applies to all single and dual carriageways with street lights, unless there are signs showing otherwise.
| Built-up areas mph (km/h) | Single carriageways mph (km/h) | Dual carriageways mph (km/h) | Motorways mph (km/h) | |
| Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles | 30 (48) | 60 (96) | 70 (112) | 70 (112) |
| Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles when towing caravans or trailers | 30 (48) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 60 (96) |
| Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) | 30 (48) | 60 (96) | 70 (112) | 70 (112) |
| Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) | 30 (48) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 70 (112) |
| Buses, coaches and minibuses (not more than 12 metres overall length) | 30 (48) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 70 (112) |
| Buses, coaches and minibuses (more than 12 metres overall length) | 30 (48) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 60 (96) |
| Goods vehicles (not more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) | 30 (48) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 70 (112) 60 (96) if articulated or towing a trailer |
| Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in England and Wales | 30 (48) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 60 (96) |
| Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in Scotland | 30 (48) | 40 (64) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) |
Vans, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles
Most vans:
- have a lower speed limit than cars
- must follow the speed limits for goods vehicles of the same weight
Vehicles under 2 tonnes laden (loaded) weight may qualify as a ‘car-derived van’ or ‘dual-purpose vehicle’. These vehicles have the same speed limits as cars.
Motorhomes
Motorhomes or motor caravans are classed as goods vehicles if they:
- carry goods for exhibition and sale
- are used as a workshop
- are used for storage
Locally set speed limits
Local councils can set their own speed limits in certain areas, and these must be clearly signed.
For example:
- 20 mph zone in a built-up area near a school
- 50 mph (rather than 60 mph) limit on a stretch of road with sharp bends
Speed limiters
A speed limiter must be fitted on:
- vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats, eg buses, minibuses, coaches, stretch limousines
- goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight of more than 3.5 tonnes
Speed limiters are designed to reduce accidents. They limit the maximum speed of a vehicle by restricting the fuel supply to the engine. Having a speed limiter may mean that your vehicle can’t reach the speed limit.
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