Everything You Need To Know About Van Speed Limits
Speed limits exist to keep us safe, indicating the maximum speed it’s safe to drive at on different types of roads. But did you know they’re not always the same for vans? Since they’re bigger than cars they can cause more damage in the event of an accident, so lower speed limits can reduce the harm.
In this guide, we’ll explain the different speed limits for vans by road type, speeding fines, and how to drive at a safe speed.
Is my vehicle a van?
You can find out whether your vehicle is a van by checking line J of your V5C logbook. Generally, a van has at least one of these features:
Its main purpose is to carry goods, not people
It weighs less than 3.5 tonnes when loaded
It doesn’t have side windows at the back
It has more than eight seats
It has a double cab
It has a pick-up bed
Vans that weigh less than two tonnes when loaded may be classified as a car-derived van or dual purpose vehicle, which have the same speed limits as cars.
Car-derived van = “a goods vehicle which is constructed or adapted as a derivative of a passenger vehicle and which has a maximum laden weight not exceeding 2 tonnes”, according to the law. Basically, this means the vehicle has the base of a passenger vehicle, but the inside looks like and functions like that of a van. Very few vans fall into this category.
Dual purpose vehicle = “a vehicle constructed or adapted for the carriage both of passengers and of goods or burden of any description, being a vehicle of which the unladen weight does not exceed 2,040kg.” There are other conditions vehicles must meet to be considered dual purpose — these are listed in The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.
Van speed limits in the UK
The numbers on speed limit road signs apply to cars, so it’s important to know the speed limits for vans for each type of road — most vans have a lower speed limit than cars. Generally, vans must obey the speed limits for goods vehicles of the same weight.
Built-up area speed limits
The speed limit for vans in built-up areas is 30 miles per hour in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and 20 miles per hour in Wales. Even if there aren’t signs, you’ll know you’re in a built-up area if there are buildings and street lighting.
Single carriageway speed limits
Single carriageway speed limits vary depending on the weight of the van. A single carriageway is a road where there’s no separation between you and the oncoming traffic. Despite the name, a single carriageway can have one or more lanes on each side.
Dual carriageway speed limits
The national speed limit on dual carriageways is 70 miles per hour. However, for vans it can be different depending on weight. A dual carriageway is a road where there’s separation between you and the oncoming traffic. It can have one or more lanes on each side.
What speed can a van do on a motorway?
The national speed limit on motorways is 70 miles per hour, but 60 miles per hour for some types of van. Like dual carriageways, motorways have some sort of barrier between oncoming traffic and are accessed by slip road. Unlike dual carriageways, motorways:
Variable speed limits are flexible speed restrictions that are used in response to traffic conditions. For example, a lower speed limit may be set for safety reasons if there’s inclement weather or roadworks, or if there’s congestion further ahead that needs to be eased. If you see a sign with a variable speed limit you must follow this instead of the usual van speed limit for the road.
Speed limits for towing
The speed limit on dual carriageways is 60 miles per hour for any vehicle towing a trailer or caravan. It’s lower on single carriageways, at 50 miles per hour.
Speed limiters
Speed limiters are devices that can be fitted to vehicles. They control the amount of fuel that goes to the engine, which restricts how fast the vehicle can travel.
Speed limiters are compulsory for vehicles with more than eight passenger seats and goods vehicles which weigh more than 3.5 tonnes when loaded.
Speeding fines
Speeding fines are issued to drivers who are caught driving over the appropriate speed limit. 203,801 people were found guilty of a speed limit offence in 2023, an increase of 85% compared to 2011. So it’s safe to say speeding offences have risen over time — and the numbers could well be higher, as not everyone who speeds will have been caught.
If you’re caught speeding by a speed camera you’ll be sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) and a Section 172 notice. You need to send the Section 172 notice back within 28 days of receiving it to inform the police who was driving the vehicle. You’ll then be sent a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN, i.e. a fine) or a letter telling you to go to court. You’re more likely to be summoned to court if you were speeding by a considerable amount.
If you’re caught by the police, you could get a verbal warning, an FPN, or an order to go to court, depending on the severity of the offence.
What happens if I get a Fixed Penalty Notice?
If you get an FPN you can plead guilty or not guilty.
If you plead guilty, the minimum fine is £100 and you’ll also get three penalty points added to your licence. If you haven’t been convicted of any other speeding offences in the past three years you may be given the option to attend a speed awareness course instead, which you have to pay to attend. The cost varies depending on the force area you live in. 1.78 million people attended a speed awareness course in 2023, an increase of 131% compared to 2011.
If you plead not guilty you’ll go to court, where the magistrate will decide on the number of penalty points and how much you need to pay.
What happens if I go to court?
If you go to court the fine you pay and the number of points on your licence will be decided by the magistrate, based on the severity of your speeding offence. The higher above the legal speed limit you were driving, the more you can expect to pay. You may be disqualified from driving for a period of time.
How to drive at a sensible speed
Plan your journey
Check for traffic updates and road closures in case you need to find a different route. You’re less likely to feel flustered if you can avoid unexpected delays.
Know the limits for your van on each road type
Having this knowledge to hand will give you the confidence to drive at the right speed and not unknowingly go over the limit.
Judge the situation in front of you
Just because the speed limit for a road is 60 miles per hour, for instance, doesn’t mean you need to meet it. A good example is country roads — many have national speed limit signs, but it’s not safe to travel down them at high speeds.
Keep an eye on your speedometer
It’s helpful to check in every now and then to make sure you’re not going over the limit.
Pay attention to road signs
This is good advice regardless, but there may be times when variable speed limits apply, or the speed limit isn’t what you were expecting.
Don’t be pressured by other drivers
No matter how carefully you’re driving, chances are you’re going to come across someone who drives faster than they should — and wants others to do the same. These people may sound their horns or follow too closely behind you (known as tailgating) to try to persuade you to speed up. Take a deep breath and ignore them.
Think about why you speed
If you’re prone to speeding, think about why that might be so you can prevent it from happening. For example, if you’re always running late, set an earlier alarm, or leave earlier than you need to so you don’t feel like you have to rush.
FAQs
Is there a 10% leeway of the speed limit?
The belief about a 10% leeway comes from guidelines for police forces. These guidelines state that police could issue a speeding ticket if the driver is going 10% plus two miles per hour over the speed limit. However, since this is a guideline and not a rule it’s up to the discretion of the police. You’re still breaking the law if you drive over the speed limit.
Do speed cameras recognise vans?
Yes. Speed cameras take two digital images of a vehicle to see how long it’s taken for it to travel between two points on the road. They can capture the registration, the time of day, and the speed limit for the road.
How does speeding affect my insurance?
Getting convicted for speeding can increase your insurance costs. This is because insurers will see you as a greater risk who’s more likely to make a claim. The more severe your offence, the higher the cost.
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