UK Speeding Limits
Driving in urban areas can be a tricky business, fraught with risks and distractions, and it is very easy to allow your car to drift over a 30 mph speed limit if you are not paying full attention to what you are doing. In fact, surveys by the Royal Society for the prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) suggest that over half of drivers in the UK exceed the 30mph speed limit in urban areas at some point. Local authorities are increasingly using speed cameras as revenue generation tools and there is always a danger of falling foul of a police speed trap with the resultant speeding points and fines.
This website contains masses of information that you may find useful if you are concerned about possible prosecution or fines for speeding, or why not contact us to see how we can help you?
Below are the national UK speeding limits for various types of road vehicle. If you are unsure of the type of vehicle you drive check your driving licence to see which class of vehicles it allows you to drive or the government’s driving licence tool.
UK Speed Limits
| Type of vehicle | Built up areas (MPH) | Single carriageway (MPH) | Dual carriageways (MPH) | Motorways (MPH) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars and vehicles (including dual purpose vehicles) | 30 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph | 70 mph |
| Car-derived vans up to 2 tonnes maximum laden weight | 30 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph | 70 mph |
| Cars towing caravans or trailers (including car driven vans and motorcycles) | 30 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 60 mph |
| Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight | 30 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph | 70 mph |
| Motorhomes or motor caravans(more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) | 30 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph |
| Buses, coaches and minibuses (not more than 12 metres overall length) | 30 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph |
| Buses, coaches and minibuses (more than 12 metres overall length) | 30 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 60 mph |
| Goods vehicles (less than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight | 30 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph (60 if articulated or towing a trailer) |
| Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) | 30 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 60 mph |
The above are the legal speed limits, however the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has issued its own guidelines as to when to prosecute for speeding.
Should you have any questions regarding UK Speed Limits or anything you may have read today, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Alternatively, should you want to call a member of our team call (Manchester & North) 0161 839 5117 or call (London & South) 020 3886 2340.