Speed limits
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 does not mean it’s safe to drive at this speed in all conditions.
National speed limits
The following speed limits apply to all single and dual carriageways with street lights, unless there are signs showing otherwise:
- 30 miles per hour (48km/h) in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland
- 20 miles per hour (32km/h) in Wales
Speed limits in built-up areas
| Built-up areas mph (km/h) in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland | Built-up areas mph(km/h) in Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles | 30 (48) | 20 (32) |
| Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles when towing caravans or trailers | 30 (48) | 20 (32) |
| Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) | 30 (48) | 20 (32) |
| Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) | 30 (48) | 20 (32) |
| Buses, coaches and minibuses (not more than 12 metres overall length) | 30 (48) | 20 (32) |
| Buses, coaches and minibuses (more than 12 metres overall length) | 30 (48) | 20 (32) |
| Goods vehicles (not more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) | 30 (48) | 20 (32) |
| Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in England and Wales | 30 (48) | 20 (32) |
| Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in Scotland | 30 (48) | 20 (32) |
Speed limits on single and dual carriageways and motorways
| Single carriageways mph (km/h) | Dual carriageways mph (km/h) | Motorways mph (km/h) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles | 60 (96) | 70 (112) | 70 (112) |
| Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles when towing caravans or trailers | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 60 (96) |
| Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) | 60 (96) | 70 (112) | 70 (112) |
| Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 70 (112) |
| Buses, coaches and minibuses (not more than 12 metres overall length) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 70 (112) |
| Buses, coaches and minibuses (more than 12 metres overall length) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 60 (96) |
| Goods vehicles (not more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) | 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 | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 60 (96) |
| Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in Scotland | 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:
- 20mph zone in a built-up area near a school
- 50mph (rather than 60mph) 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, for example, buses, minibuses, coaches, stretch limousines
- goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight of more than 3.5 tonnes
Speed limiters are designed to reduce collisions. 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 cannot reach the speed limit.