Who’s affected?
All drivers must obey speed limits appropriate to the vehicle and the road.
What do the regulations say?
See table below.
Type of vehicle | Built-up areas mph(km/h) | Single carriageways mph (km/h) | Dual carriageways mph (km/h) | Motorways mph (km/h) |
Car-derived vans up to 2 tonnes maximum laden weight | 30 (48) | 60 (96) | 70 (112) | 70 (112) |
Cars towing caravans or trailers (including car-derived vans and motorcycles) | 30 (48) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 60 (96) |
Goods vehicles (not over 7.5-t max laden weight) | 30 (48) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 70 (112) |
Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) | 30 (48) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) | 60 (96) |
Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight (in Northern Ireland) | 30 (48) | 40 (64) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) |
Penalties
A minimum fine of £100 plus three penalty points. The licence can be revoked at 12 points within three years; for new drivers this is six points within the first two years. Licensed operators whose drivers habitually speed may be called before the TC.
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Comments
Harrison - 29/04/2015 11:40
Bigger trucks going faster on smaller roads. seems safe
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Charles - 31/10/2016 20:36
I am singularly confused by these speed limits. 7.5 tonne can do 60/70 yet they have to be fitted with a limiter restricting them to 56 and yet over 7.5 tonnes cvan do 60??
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Adrian - 05/11/2016 11:36
you have to appreciate that uk speed limits apply within the uk but some vehicles are fitted with speed limiters under EU Regulations. Therefore, a vehicle fitted with a speed limiter may be restricted to 56mph under the EU regs but the actual UK speed limit is still 60mph and as such technically the driver doing 60 cannot be prosecuted for speeding (UK Speed Limits) but may be contravening EU Limiter regulations.
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Mark - 09/12/2016 12:16
Hi Please can you clear up some confusion. What is the speed limit for a 3.5t on a single carriage way? Many Thanks Mark
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brian - 24/04/2017 10:42
50mph
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Tony Whale - 23/05/2018 12:09
Your speed limits for HGV (LGV) over 7.5t is wrong, it is nor 50mph (80kph) on a single carriageway
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Winston - 24/05/2018 13:19
The table doesn't make any reference to the HGV speed limit in Scotland / NI nor the A9 Perth - Inverness exception!
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Rufus - 01/08/2018 11:24
So a Citroen Nemo, with a laiden weight of 900kg in front and 950kgs in the back can do 70mph, as it is under the 2 tonne bracket, am i right in thinking this
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