Speed limitColombia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Colombia. 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.


2. 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.

Speed limit
30 km/h speed-limit sign in El Zulia. (Norte de Santander, Colombia)
Wikimedia.org • EEIM • CC BY
Which general speed limits should car drivers know in Colombia?

Colombian authorities set and sign road-specific limits within national ceilings. These are generally 50 km/h on urban and municipal roads, 30 km/h in school and residential areas, and 90 km/h on national and departmental roads. Qualifying divided roads without pedestrian crossings incorporated into their design may permit up to 120 km/h. This does not establish a universal 120 km/h motorway limit.

🔗 cancilleria.gov.co • Colombian National Traffic Code — Articles 106–107, 50/30/90/120 and competent-authority section limits/technical exceptions

Start of a speed limit. Start of a speed limit.

English • Traffic sign SR-30 • Maximum permitted speed: 60 km/h. Sets a 60 km/h maximum. Travel slower when conditions require.

Español • SR-30 • Velocidad máxima permitida: 60 km/h. Establece una velocidad máxima de 60 kilómetros por hora. Circula a una velocidad menor cuando las condiciones lo exijan.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 82

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-08-29. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Does Colombia’s 120 km/h exception cover every divided road?

No. The statutory exception concerns qualifying divided roads with no pedestrian crossings incorporated into their design. The competent authority determines and signs the applicable speed. A divided layout alone is not permission to accelerate to 120 km/h.

🔗 cancilleria.gov.co • Colombian National Traffic Code — Articles 106–107, 50/30/90/120 and competent-authority section limits/technical exceptions

Is the Colombian school or residential maximum the ordinary 50 km/h urban ceiling?

No. The national maximum in school and residential areas is 30 km/h. A lower road-specific limit remains binding, and pedestrians or visibility can require a speed below that maximum.

🔗 cancilleria.gov.co • Colombian National Traffic Code — Articles 106–107, 50/30/90/120 and competent-authority section limits/technical exceptions

1 Colombia 2 Speed limit 3 Pedestrian warning 4 Slope 5 Bus stop 6 Stop sign 7 School area 8 Crossing animals 9 Traffic lights 10 Reversing 11 Cyclist 12 Bus 13 Police 14 Ambulance 15 Pothole 16 Path 17 Particulates 18 Air pollution 19 Rush hour 20 Road code 21 Street gutter 22 Cargo bike 23 Forestry vehicle 24 Construction vehicle 25 Semi-trailer truck 26 Trolleybus 27 Speed pedelec 28 Delivery vehicle 29 Idling 30 Tow truck 31 Four-wheel drive 32 Bicycle 33 Motorcycle equipment 34 Rail track 35 Caravan 36 Trailer 37 Tow hitch 38 Fire truck 39 Siren 40 Convoy 41 Emergency vehicle lighting 42 Agricultural machinery 43 Electric bicycle 44 Electric vehicle 45 Pedelec 46 Quadricycle 47 Microcar 48 All-terrain vehicle 49 Van 50 Recreational vehicle 51 Scooter 52 Trikke 53 Personal mobility device 54 Skateboard 55 Segway 56 Kick scooter 57 Roller skates 58 Mailman 59 Hitchhiker 60 Toddler 61 Child 62 Disability 63 Motorail 64 km/h 65 mph 66 Speedometer 67 Ride height 68 Dirt road 69 Driving 70 Start-stop system 71 Manual transmission 72 Automatic transmission 73 Throttle 74 Tachometer 75 Steering wheel 76 Power steering 77 Visual scanning 78 Mirror 79 Fuel 80 Fuel gauge 81 Petrol 82 Diesel 83 Diesel exhaust fluid 84 Car insurance 85 First aid kit 86 Fire extinguisher 87 High-visibility clothing 88 First aid 89 Concrete step barrier 90 Barriers 91 Vehicle lights 92 Street lights 93 Dipped beam 94 High beam 95 Fog lights 96 Front fog lights 97 Rear fog lights 98 Side lights 99 Turn signals 100 Hazard lights ...