Motorway rules•Rule 261
Motorway speed limits and signs
This rule is a legal requirement
You MUST NOT exceed 70 mph (112 km/h), or the maximum speed limit permitted for your vehicle (see Speed limits table). If a lower speed limit is in force, either permanently or temporarily, at road works for example, you MUST NOT exceed the lower limit. On some motorways, mandatory motorway signals (which display the speed within a red ring) are used to vary the maximum speed limit to improve traffic flow. You MUST NOT exceed this speed limit.
💡Example
You must never drive faster than 70 mph on a motorway, or faster than the speed limit for your type of vehicle or any lower limit in force. If electronic motorway signs show a lower speed in a red circle, that becomes the maximum speed and you must not exceed it. For example, if you are on a motorway and the overhead signs show 50 mph in a red circle because of roadworks, you must slow down to 50 mph or less, even though the normal motorway limit is 70 mph.
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