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Speed limitUnited Kingdom

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of United Kingdom. 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.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
United Kingdom

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.

Bilingual Welsh-English locality sign with a speed limit at Llechryd. (Wales, United Kingdom)
Wikimedia.org • CC BY-SA
Which general speed limits should car drivers know in the United Kingdom?

UK speed limits use mph. For cars without trailers, national limits are generally 60 mph on single carriageways and 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways. On restricted roads with street lighting, the default is 30 mph in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and 20 mph in Wales, unless otherwise signed. Other vehicle classes can have lower limits.

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 124–126 and vehicle speed table

🔗 gov.uk • DfT Know Your Traffic Signs: speed limit signs (Great Britain)

🔗 gov.uk • GOV.UK: national speed limits, including the Welsh default

What does the UK national speed-limit sign mean for my car?

The white circular sign with a black diagonal stripe applies the national limit for your road type and vehicle. For a car without a trailer, this is normally 60 mph on a single carriageway and 70 mph on a dual carriageway. It does not mean unlimited speed.

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 124–126 and vehicle speed table

🔗 gov.uk • DfT Know Your Traffic Signs: speed limit signs (Great Britain)

🔗 gov.uk • GOV.UK: national speed limits, including the Welsh default

Do UK car limits change when towing a trailer or caravan?

Yes. A car towing a trailer or caravan is generally limited to 50 mph on single carriageways and 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways. Lower road-specific limits remain binding. These towing limits differ from the ordinary car limits.

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 124–126 and vehicle speed table

🔗 gov.uk • DfT Know Your Traffic Signs: speed limit signs (Great Britain)

🔗 gov.uk • GOV.UK: national speed limits, including the Welsh default

1 United Kingdom 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Bike path 5 Pedestrian warning 6 Bridge 7 Speed bump 8 Toll road 9 One-way traffic 10 Quay 11 Slope 12 Bus lane 13 Bus stop 14 Dead end 15 Stop sign 16 Give way 17 Roundabout 18 Road narrowing 19 Priority over oncoming traffic 20 Give way to oncoming traffic 21 Pedestrian crossing 22 Railway crossing 23 Mandatory direction 24 Turn prohibition 25 School area 26 Crossing animals 27 Slippery road 28 Rockfall 29 Aircraft 30 Curve 31 Chevron 32 Wrong-way driving 33 Roadworks 34 Height limit 35 Radar speed sign 36 Selective barriers 37 Low-emission zone 38 Priority at the next junction 39 Traffic lights 40 Traffic lights warning 41 Road markings 42 Climbing lane 43 Bike box 44 Left-hand traffic 45 Speed feedback 46 Driving licence 47 Cycling route 48 Parking 49 No parking 50 Park and ride 51 Disabled parking 52 Reversing 53 Detour 54 Road surface 55 Verge 56 Traffic calming 57 Horse riding 58 Emergency exit 59 City limit 60 Tourist attraction 61 Licence plate 62 Charging station 63 Dangers 64 Dip 65 Tram lane 66 Cyclist 67 Bus 68 Police 69 Ambulance 70 Roadway 71 Street 72 Pothole 73 Private road 74 Path 75 Particulates 76 Air pollution 77 Rush hour 78 Road code 79 Two-way traffic 80 Tram stop 81 Street gutter 82 Cargo bike 83 Forestry vehicle 84 Construction vehicle 85 Semi-trailer truck 86 Trolleybus 87 Speed pedelec 88 Delivery vehicle 89 Idling 90 Tow truck 91 Four-wheel drive 92 Passenger 93 Bicycle 94 Motorcycle equipment 95 Tram 96 Rail track 97 Public transport 98 Caravan 99 Trailer 100 Tow hitch ...