Speed limitCanada
An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Canada. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.
For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.
3. Speed limit
A speed limit is the maximum legal speed permitted on a road, lane or within a designated area. It may be established by general traffic law or indicated by fixed, variable or temporary traffic signs.
A speed limit is a maximum, not a target speed. Drivers must travel more slowly whenever traffic, visibility, weather, road conditions, vulnerable road users or the condition of the vehicle make the maximum permitted speed unsafe.
Wikimedia.org • Laslovarga • CC BY-SA
Which general speed limits should car drivers know in Canada?
Limits are set by provinces and territories. As a British Columbia example, the general maxima are 50 km/h within municipalities and 80 km/h outside them, subject to different applicable limits. Special zones, narrow lanes and vehicle restrictions can have lower limits. Follow the signs and drive more slowly when conditions require it.
🔗 bclaws.gov.bc.ca • British Columbia, current Motor Vehicle Act
🔗 icbc.com • ICBC, Learn to Drive Smart full current guide
Start of a speed limit.
English • Québec P-70-2 • Maximum speed: 100 km/h. Do not exceed 100 km/h. Drive more slowly when road, traffic or weather conditions require.
🔗 Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Cdn-contenu.quebec.ca • Québec MTMD · Regulatory signs poster, April 2026, p. 1
🔗 Legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca • Québec · Road signs regulation C-24.2, r. 41, section 12 (official consolidation, 1 May 2026) (FR)
SVG source: Transports Québec • Public domain • Original revision 2013-07-29. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Traffic rules
Canada