What is the speed limit? It seems a simple enough question. So here’s a quick question to test your knowledge. What is the speed limit for a Ford Transit or similar size van travelling on a single carriage road? (Answer at the end of the article)
It’s not as easy as you think. Each year millions of drivers are caught speeding. Many of those drivers are travelling in excess of the speed limit and know it. But there are thousands who genuinely believe that they were travelling below the speed limit. They don’t realise that the speed limit depends not only on the road upon which they are travelling but the type or class of vehicle they are driving.
We are all probably aware of the reduced speed limits for lorries and buses, but did you know that there are different speed limits in place if you are towing a trailer or caravan as well as if you were driving a light goods vehicle? Most of the vans driven by delivery drivers and tradesman will be classified as light goods vehicles (meaning they have a maximum laden weight under 7.5 tonnes) However the position changes if it is a car-derived van, which are classed as cars and thus the car speed limit applies.
So what started as a simple question now seems to have got very confusing. The following table should help as a quick reference guide.
| Type of Vehicle | Built-up areas mph (kph) | Single Carriageways mph (kph) | Dual Carriagewaysmph (kph) | Motorwaysmph (kph) |
| Cars and vehicles (including dual purpose vehicles and car-derived vans up to 2 tonnes max laden weight) |
30 (48) |
60 (96) |
70 (112) |
70 (112) |
| Cars towing caravans or trailers (including car-derived vans and motorcycles) |
30 (48) |
50 (80) |
60 (96) |
60 (96) |
| Motor homes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes max unladen weight) |
30 (48) |
60 (96) |
70 (112) |
70 (112) |
| Motor homes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes max unladen weight) |
30 (48) |
50 (80) |
60 (96) |
70 (112) |
| Buses, coaches and minibuses (not more than 12 metres overall length) |
30 (48) |
50 (80) |
60 (96) |
70 (112) |
| Goods vehicles (not more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) |
30 (48) |
50 (80) |
60 (96) |
70 (112) If articulated, or towing a trailer, limit is 60 (96) |
| Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 maximum laden weight) |
30 (48) |
40 (64) |
50 (80) |
60 (96) |
So now that is clear, the answer to the question is: 50mph (Hands up if you got it correct.)
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