UK speed limits in the theory test: national limits by road type and vehicle
Updated •5 min read
For a car, the national speed limits are 60 mph on a single carriageway, 70 mph on a dual carriageway and 70 mph on a motorway. A 30 mph limit applies to roads with street lights, and 20 mph in Wales. These come from gov.uk and Highway Code rule 124.
The basic rule
gov.uk says you must not drive faster than the speed limit for the type of road and your type of vehicle. It also says the limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed in all conditions (gov.uk: speed limits).
A 30 mph limit generally applies to all roads with street lights, excluding motorways, unless signs show otherwise. In Wales the figure is 20 mph. Gov.uk applies this to single and dual carriageways with street lights.
Limits by road type for a car
| Road | Cars and motorcycles (mph) | Cars towing a caravan or trailer (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| Built-up area (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland) | 30 | 30 |
| Built-up area (Wales) | 20 | 20 |
| Single carriageway | 60 | 50 |
| Dual carriageway | 70 | 60 |
| Motorway | 70 | 60 |
Source: gov.uk speed limits page, which matches rule 124 of the Highway Code (Highway Code: rules 103 to 158).
Limits for other vehicles
Gov.uk's full table gives these outside built-up areas. Where it lists several figures, they are single carriageway, dual carriageway and motorway in that order.
| Vehicle | Single / dual / motorway (mph) |
|---|---|
| Motorhomes up to 3.05 tonnes unladen | 60 / 70 / 70 |
| Motorhomes over 3.05 tonnes unladen | 50 / 60 / 70 |
| Buses, coaches and minibuses up to 12 metres | 50 / 60 / 70 |
| Goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes laden | 50 / 60 / 70 |
| Goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes (England and Wales) | 50 / 60 / 60 |
| Goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes (Scotland) | 40 / 50 / 60 |
The Highway Code adds footnotes: the bus and coach motorway limit is 60 mph if the vehicle is over 12 metres long, and the goods-vehicle motorway limit is 60 mph if articulated or towing a trailer. Most vans have a lower limit than cars and follow the limits for goods vehicles of the same weight. Car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles have the same limits as cars.
Locally set limits and limiters
Local councils can set their own limits, which must be clearly signed. Gov.uk's examples are a 20 mph zone near a school and a 50 mph limit on a stretch of road with sharp bends. A speed limiter must be fitted on vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats, and on goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes maximum laden weight.
The national speed limit sign
The Highway Code's traffic signs section lists "national speed limit applies" among the signs giving orders (Highway Code: traffic signs). The sign does not show a number. It tells you the national limit for your road and vehicle applies, so you work out the figure from the tables above. On a dual carriageway, our guide covers the end-of-road signs and limits.
The penalty for speeding
Gov.uk says the minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points (gov.uk: speeding penalties). A court can fine you more. The fine is usually a percentage of your weekly income, up to a maximum of £1,000, or £2,500 on a motorway. You could also be disqualified. If you are within 2 years of passing your test, 6 or more points mean your licence is revoked: see new drivers and penalty points.
How the theory test asks about it
Questions ask what limit applies to a car, a car towing a caravan or a particular road, and what a sign means. Practise the vehicle categories and the footnotes, because the wording of the question often names the vehicle. Related topics include stopping distances and road signs.
Practise
Read rule 124 on our Highway Code rule page, then take a practice test. The free theorytest.ai diagnostic finds your weak topics. theorytest.ai is independent and is not affiliated with the DVSA.
Frequently asked questions
What is the national speed limit for a car on a single carriageway?
60 mph, or 50 mph if the car is towing a caravan or trailer, according to gov.uk.
What is the speed limit on a motorway for a car?
70 mph. A car towing a caravan or trailer is limited to 60 mph.
What is the speed limit in a built-up area?
30 mph on roads with street lights in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and 20 mph in Wales, unless signs show otherwise.
What does the national speed limit sign mean?
It means the national limit for your road and vehicle applies. The sign shows no number.
What is the minimum penalty for speeding?
A £100 fine and 3 penalty points, according to gov.uk.