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) 60 (96) if articulated or towing a trailer |
| Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) | 30 (48) | 40 (64) | 50 (80) | 60 (96) |
Who enforces them?
Mainly road traffic police, and local road safety partnerships.
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.
Updates
The national speed limit for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes on dual carriageway roads increased, from 50mph to 60mph on April 6 2015. The speed limit for trucks on single carriageway roads is now 50mph (previously 40mph).
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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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