Adhering to the speed limit is one of the most important things you can do as a driver to keep yourself and others safe.
But with so many different types of roads and vehicles used in the UK, it can be tricky to work out what speed you should be going at and when — especially if it’s not clearly signposted.
In this guide, we explain all the key things you need to know about the UK speed limit. We’ll cover what the National Speed Limit is, what can happen if you’re caught speeding, and practical ways you can keep your speed under control.
Speed limits
What is the National Speed Limit?
The National Speed Limit is 60 mph on a single carriageway and 70 mph on a motorway or dual carriageway. The National Speed Limit applies to roads that are signposted by the National Speed Limit sign: a white circle with a black diagonal stripe going through it.
What is the speed limit on a dual carriageway?
The speed limit of a dual carriageway is 70 mph, the same as a motorway.
A dual carriageway is two single lanes going in opposite directions that are divided by a barrier — essentially, a motorway with only one lane on each side. Sometimes, the barrier can be a grass verge; others, it’s made of metal or concrete.
What is the speed limit on an A-road?
The speed limit for ‘restricted roads’ is typically 30 mph.’Restricted road’ is the technical name for one that’s in a built-up area. If you can’t see any speed limit signs in an area with street lighting and buildings, stick to 30 mph to be safe, until you spot a sign that dictates otherwise.
Unrestricted single carriageways — such as country lanes — can sometimes have a higher speed limit, up to the National Speed Limit of 60 mph. Roads without a physical divider between the two opposing streams of traffic are classed as single carriageways.
What is a variable speed limit?
Variable speed limits are speed limits that can change in order to slow down traffic. They’re most often found on smart motorways, displayed on the overhead gantries, and are designed to ease congestion. Variable speed limits can change from the national speed limit of 70 mph to 60, 50 or even 40 mph depending on the severity of an incident ahead.
You can learn more about smart motorways in our motorway driving guide .
Is the speed limit different if you’re towing?
Yes — vehicles that are towing trailers or caravans have a lower National Speed Limit in place that they have to adhere to. The same applies to other vehicles that are larger than cars, including buses, motorhomes and heavy goods vehicles.
Here’s how the National Speed Limit differs for various vehicle types when driving in the UK:
| Type | Cars | *Other |
|---|---|---|
| Built-up areas | 30 mph | 30 mph |
| Single carriageways | 60 mph | 50 mph |
| Dual carriageways | 70 mph | 60 mph |
| Motorways | 70 mph | 60 mph |
*Towing vehicles, buses, motorhomes and HGVs
Speed cameras
How does a speed camera work?
Speed cameras use detectors in the road (or radar technology, depending on the type of camera) to record the speed of passing vehicles.
If the camera detects a car going over the speed limit, it takes a digital image. The camera records the following information:
- The time and date of the offence
- The speed at which the vehicle was travelling
- The speed limit on the road in question
- The vehicle's make, model and registration number
While not all cameras can take an image of the driver’s face, most are angled in a way that will give the police some insight into who might have been driving the vehicle at the time of the incident.
More advanced cameras are linked to traffic light cameras that monitor lights and junctions too. These cameras can also detect when you’ve gone through a red light, and administer a fine accordingly.
How fast do you have to drive to be detected by a speed camera?
Contrary to popular belief, speed cameras do not have a 10% tolerance for speeding as standard. That means if you go even 31 mph in a 30 mph area, a speed camera can take your picture.
How do I know if I’ve been caught by a speed camera?
Many people believe that you’ve only been caught by a speed camera if it’s flashed. This isn’t true, as newer cameras have recently been introduced that no longer need to flash in order to capture a high-quality picture.
You’ll find out if you’ve been caught speeding within two weeks of the incident when a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) is sent to your address; that is, the address registered to the vehicle. The NIP will include a request to provide driver details in case someone else was driving at the time.
If the car's owner wasn't driving then they must let the police know the name and address of the person who was.
Penalties for breaking the speed limit
How much over the speed limit can you go before getting a ticket?
Technically, you can be issued a ticket for driving even just 1 mph above the speed limit. Though this is unlikely, drivers should always be aware that it is a possibility with legal precedent, so it’s always safer to drive just under the speed limit.
How much can you get fined for speeding?
For most minor offences captured by a speed camera, you’ll receive a minimum penalty of £100 and three points on your licence. If you’re caught for the first time with a minor offence, you may be able to avoid incurring a fine and points on your licence by taking a speed awareness course instead.
However, since 2017, new laws have come into force that have changed the penalties for moderate and serious speeding offences. Today, your penalty can be determined by two key factors:
- How far over the speed limit you were driving
- Your weekly salary
Speeding penalties are now classified into three bands:
- Band A for minor excesses (for example, up to 40mph in a 30mph zone)
- Band B for moderate excesses (for example, up to 50mph in a 30mph zone)
- Band C for major excesses (for example, more than 50mph in a 30mph zone)
Instead of fixed penalties based on your speed, the fine you’ll pay is relative to the amount you earned. This is calculated with the following formula:
- Band A: 50% of your weekly salary, plus 3 penalty points
- Band B: 100% of your weekly salary, plus 4-6 penalty points (or a driving ban for up to 28 days)
- Band C: 150% of your weekly salary, plus 6 penalty points (or a driving ban for up to 56 days)
Can you go to prison for speeding?
In very serious cases in which offending drivers go to court, the outcome could result in a prison sentence of up to five years. More often, though, serious speeders are given a driving ban instead.
Controlling your speed
What is a speed limiter?
A speed limiter is a safety device that prevents drivers from exceeding the speed limit. There are two types of speed limiter:
- Adjustable speed limiters — The driver selects the maximum speed they want to travel at while behind the wheel.
- Intelligent speed limiter — Also known as Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), this type of limiter works by using GPS to monitor road signs, to detect the speed limit where the vehicle is travelling.
With either type of speed limiter, you’ll be unable to go beyond the top speed unless you push hard on the accelerator – this might be required in certain situations where it may be safer to speed up.
By 2022, all new cars sold in the UK and Europe will have speed limiters, under changes to vehicle safety rules that have been provisionally agreed by the EU.
Which cars have speed limiters?
Many types of cars have speed limiters. Adjustable limiters are the most common, and they’re often included as standard on most vehicles, or available at an extra cost. Intelligent speed limiters are currently less common but will become more regularly seen following the change in 2022.
There are some types of vehicles that are legally required to have speed limiters fitted. Unlike those fitted in cars, these speed limiters enforce a maximum speed: drivers do not have the option to deactivate them. Vehicles that are required to have speed limiters include:
- Buses and coaches (including minibuses): 60 mph
- HGVs: 60 mph or 50 mph (depending on their class and size)
- Mopeds: 28 mph
Is a speed limiter the same as cruise control?
No — a speed limiter prevents a vehicle from travelling over a certain speed, while cruise control maintains a specific speed that’s been set by the driver. You’re in full control of your vehicle when using a speed limiter, but cruise control takes over the accelerator, adjusting the power when required.
Like cruise control, speed limiters can also be overridden by the driver, who can switch it on and off when necessary.
Going steady
Knowing the speed limit in all scenarios and putting in place measures to keep on top of your speed will almost always make you a safer driver. Better still, a clean driving record can help you get cheaper premiums on your car insurance, so you save money too.
At Swinton Insurance, we have over 65 years’ experience in helping drivers find the right Car Insurance policies for their needs. And because even safe drivers can’t guarantee that other road users will stick to the rules, our Car Insurance policies are comprehensive to cover you if you’re involved in an accident.
Find out more about our Car Insurance today.