DVSA confirms reduced 60mph UK motorway speed limit for 8 groups of drivers
The DVSA has confirmed the national speed limit is actually reduced in some scenarios for road users.
12:36, 31 May 2026Updated 12:46, 31 May 2026
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DVSA confirms reduced 60mph UK motorway speed limit for 8 groups of drivers
The DVSA has confirmed the motorway speed limit in England has been cut to 60mph for certain cars[1]. The DVSA has confirmed the national speed limit is actually reduced in some scenarios for road users.
The DVSA warns: "You must not drive faster than the speed limit for the type of road and your type of vehicle. The speed limit is the absolute maximum - it does not mean it's safe to drive at this speed in all conditions."[2]
The speed limits apply to all single and dual carriageways with street lights, unless there are signs showing otherwise.
30 miles per hour (48km/h) is the national speed limit in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Under other DVSA rules, most vans have a lower speed limit than cars and must follow the speed limits for goods vehicles of the same weight.
Vehicles weighing no more than 2 tonnes laden (loaded) may qualify as a 'car-derived van'. Vehicles weighing no more than 2.04 tonnes unladen may qualify as a 'dual-purpose vehicle'. These vehicles have the same speed limits as cars.
20 miles per hour (32km/h) is the speed limit in Wales.
But this is increased to 70mph for England motorways.
So, the reduced 60mph speed limit on motorways and dual carriageways is in place for:
Cars when towing caravans or trailers
motorcycles when towing caravans or trailers
car-derived vans when towing caravans or trailers
dual-purpose vehicles when towing caravans or trailers
Buses (more than 12 metres overall length)
coaches (more than 12 metres overall length)
minibuses (more than 12 metres overall length)
Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in England and Wales
Local councils can set their own speed limits in certain areas, and these must be clearly signed.
For example 20mph zone in a built-up area near a school and 50mph (rather than 60mph) limit on a stretch of road with sharp bends.
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