What are the national speed limits?

What’s the national speed limit on motorways for cars and motorcycles?

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on a motorway or dual carriageway is 70 mph for cars and motorbikes.

Other vehicle types have different speed limits.

Speed-limit signs

The speed limit is represented by a red ring with a number on a white circle.

The previous speed limit is cancelled by a white disc with a black diagonal line, however you must not exceed the national speed limit for the type of road you’re on or the vehicle you’re driving.

Read more about road signs.

What are the national speed limits for cars and motorcycles?

Both cars and motorcycles can drive at 30mph in Built-up areas, 60 on Single cartage-ways, and 70 when on Dual cartage-ways or Motorways.

This includes car derived vans up to 2 tones in laden weight.

What are the national speed limits for cars towing caravans or trailers?

Cars towing caravans or trailers can drive at 30mph in Built-up areas, 50 on Single cartage-ways, and 60 when on Dual cartage-ways or Motorways.

What are the national speed limits for buses, coaches and minibuses?

Buses, coaches and minibuses can all drive at 30mph in Built-up areas, 50 on Single cartage-ways, 60 when on Dual cartage-ways, and 70 on Motorways.

Buses, coaches and minibuses exceeding 12 meters in overall length have different limits.

What are the national speed limits for goods vehicles under 7.5 tonnes?

Goods vehicles can drive at 30mph in Built-up areas, 50 on Single cartage-ways, 60 when on Dual cartage-ways, and 70 on Motorways.

There are different limits for goods vehicles exiting 7.5 tones in laden weight.

What are the national speed limits for goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes?

Goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes in laden weight can drive at 30mph in Built-up areas, 50 on Single cartage-ways, 60 when on Dual cartage-ways, and 60 on Motorways.

In Scotland the limit on single cartage-ways is 40 mph, and 50 on Dual cartage-ways.