Motorway speed limit reduced for drivers in certain cars

The government has warned drivers not to go over the limit

21:08, 05 Jun 2025

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has issued a caution to drivers, urging them to be careful of an important legal limit because it's "not always safe". The government has reminded drivers they must adhere to the appropriate speed limit for their vehicle type and the road they are on.

"The speed limit is the absolute maximum - it does not mean it's safe to drive at this speed in all conditions," the Labour[1] Party government website and DVSA have warned.

While the standard motorway speed limit stands at 70mph, it's important to note that it drops to 60mph for cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles when they are towing caravans or trailers.

The 60mph limit also applies to buses, coaches, and minibuses over 12 metres in length, as well as goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes in England and Wales.

In the majority of built-up areas across Wales, the standard speed limit is set at 20 miles per hour (32km/h). For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here[2].

Some Welsh roads have been reverted back to 30mph[3] but where this is the case signs will advise drivers accordingly.

This decision is subject to individual councils running public consultations asking people which roads they thought should be considered for a change.

The standard 20mph limit is the same for cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans, motorhomes, dual-purpose vehicles or those towing vehicles and not dependant on vehicle type.

The speed limit for buses, coaches and minibuses (not exceeding 12 metres in overall length), buses, coaches and minibuses (exceeding 12 metres in overall length) is also set at 20mph.

It further applies to goods vehicles (not exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight), goods vehicles (exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in England and Wales.

Vehicles with more than eight passenger seats, such as buses, minibuses, coaches, and stretch limousines, must be fitted with a speed limiter.

This device must also be installed on goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight of more than 3.5 tonnes.

These devices are engineered to minimise collisions by limiting the maximum speed of a vehicle through restricting the fuel supply to the engine.

A speed limiter may mean the vehicle cannot reach the speed limit.

References

1. ^ Labour (www.walesonline.co.uk)
2. ^ sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here (www.walesonline.co.uk)
3. ^ have been reverted back to 30mph (www.walesonline.co.uk)