UK Speed Limits Explained: How to Tell Which Limit Applies in November 2026

Verified: November 7, 2026, at 1:07 a.m. UTC (London: GMT, UTC+00:00).

To work out the speed limit on a UK road, check the signs, identify the road type and account for the vehicle you are driving. For a car, the national speed limit is generally 60 mph on a single carriageway and 70 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway, unless a different limit applies.

Streetlights are another important clue: on restricted roads, the default is generally 30 mph in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but 20 mph in Wales. Posted exceptions, temporary restrictions and lower limits for vehicles such as vans or cars towing trailers can change the answer.

Destaques

• A red-bordered number gives the speed limit in miles per hour; a national speed limit sign requires you to consider both the road and vehicle.
• For cars under the national limit, the usual maximum is 60 mph on a single carriageway and 70 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway.
• The usual streetlit-road default is 20 mph in Wales and 30 mph elsewhere in the UK, unless signs indicate a different limit.
• Towing, driving certain vans or following a temporary limit may mean a lower maximum. A limit is never a target speed.

How can you tell what the speed limit is?

Look for a circular sign with a red border and a number. The number is the maximum in miles per hour, or mph. Larger signs usually mark the point where a limit begins; smaller repeater signs may remind drivers of it along the road. Pay attention when turning onto a new road, entering a town or passing roadworks, because the limit can change.

A white circular sign with a black diagonal stripe means the national speed limit applies. It does not mean 70 mph in every situation: the maximum depends on the road and the vehicle. The government’s guide to speed limit signs explains both types of sign.

As a practical check, ask yourself four questions: What was the last limit sign I passed? Is this a restricted, single-carriageway, dual-carriageway or motorway road? Does my vehicle have a lower maximum? Has a temporary or variable limit been displayed? If you are unsure, slow down and look for the next reliable sign; stop somewhere safe to check if necessary.

What is the national speed limit for cars?

The following figures apply to cars and motorcycles when the national speed limit applies. A lower signed limit must still be obeyed.

A dual carriageway has a central reservation separating the two carriageways. The number of lanes alone does not determine whether a road is dual or single carriageway: a road with two lanes in each direction can still be a single carriageway if there is no central reservation. A painted center line by itself does not create one. The Highway Code defines a dual carriageway by that separation.

For example, a car passing a national speed limit sign on a single carriageway is normally limited to 60 mph. If the same car then joins a dual carriageway where the national limit applies, the maximum is normally 70 mph. Neither figure makes it safe to drive that fast around a blind bend or in heavy rain. See the full GOV.UK speed limits table for vehicle categories and exceptions.

What speed limit applies when there are streetlights?

On a restricted road, a system of streetlights generally indicates a default limit even if there are no frequent reminder signs. In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, that default is normally 30 mph; in Wales, it is normally 20 mph. A different posted limit can apply, so follow the signs rather than assuming every lit road has the default.

In England and Wales, the relevant streetlighting system generally consists of lamps no more than 200 yards apart. Welsh Government advice for built-up areas is to think 20 mph when you see streetlights unless a sign says otherwise. Some roads in Wales have a signed 30 mph or other limit. See the Welsh Government’s explanation of the 20 mph default.

Do not assume that the absence of repeater signs means there is no limit. In Wales, small 20 mph repeaters are generally not permitted on roads with the default 20 mph limit. In England, Scotland and Wales, 30 mph repeaters are generally not used on streetlit roads where 30 mph is the default. Watch for the larger signs at the point where a limit changes.

Are speed limits lower for vans and towing?

Often, yes. When the national speed limit applies, a car towing a caravan or trailer is normally limited to 50 mph on a single carriageway and 60 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway. A lower posted limit still applies. For example, a car towing a trailer on a motorway with a mandatory 50 mph restriction must stay within 50 mph.

Many goods vehicles have lower limits than cars on single and dual carriageways. Classification matters: a car-derived van or dual-purpose vehicle may have different limits from another goods vehicle. Check the vehicle’s category and weight against the official table before setting out, rather than relying on its appearance. Rules for heavier goods vehicles also differ between parts of the UK; Northern Ireland’s speed limits table lists its limits separately.

Northern Ireland also has transitional licensing rules that affect some learners and newly qualified drivers. For example, certain drivers who pass before April 1, 2027 remain subject to a 45 mph restriction for one year. Drivers should check the current Northern Ireland licensing guidance for the rules that apply to them.

Do temporary and variable speed limits count?

Yes. Roadworks can have a temporary lower limit, and electronic motorway signs can change the limit in response to conditions. A variable speed displayed inside a red circle is mandatory. On motorway signals, a speed shown without a red circle is an advised maximum for the conditions, according to GOV.UK’s motorway sign guidance.

Keep watching for the next sign: a restriction can remain in force beyond the immediate hazard until a sign changes or ends it. Road layouts and local limits can change, so treat navigation apps as a useful aid rather than your sole source. The signs on the road, your vehicle’s maximum and current conditions all matter.

Frequently asked questions

Is the national speed limit always 70 mph?

No. For a car, it is generally 60 mph on a single carriageway and 70 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway. Some vehicles have lower limits.

Is every road in Wales limited to 20 mph?

No. The 20 mph default applies to most restricted roads, typically streetlit roads in built-up areas. Other roads have different limits, including signed exceptions.

Can I drive at the limit in bad weather?

The limit is a legal maximum, not a safe speed for every situation. Slow down when visibility, weather, traffic or road conditions require it.