Information about speed limits and speed management.

Speed limits

The speed limits for all types of vehicles and situations are listed in the Highway Code and available from the Control of the vehicle section of The Highway Code on DirectGov – the online version of the code.

The Highway Code also provides an illustrated guide to the stopping distances, of which the online version is available from Stopping distances.

Further information about speed limits, stopping distances and the dangers of speeding are available from the Speed section of the THINK! Road Safety website.

Endorsements and Disqualifications

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) provideds up to date information about all license endorsements on its driver information pages.

Adhering to the speed limit – helpful information

The Government is committed to ensuring that speed limits are complied with and enforced as a means of reducing deaths and injuries on our roads. Speeding is a traffic offence with potentially serious consequences and driving at excessive speeds continues to be a problem that results in accidents, fatalities and serious injuries. That is why there is a speed management policy in place to achieve appropriate vehicle speeds as part of an overall strategy to reduce casualties on the roads. The emergency services excepted, the Government does not believe there is ever a time when it is right to break the posted speed limits.

The Government helps drivers stay within the speed limit by providing information about speed limits and ensuring limits are correctly signed. Law-abiding drivers who drive within the speed limit have nothing to fear from speed enforcement. The only drivers who need fear prosecution are those who break the law and in doing so put themselves and others at risk.

Information on speed limits may be found in the Highway Code. On particular local roads, of course, the speed limits may be lower than the national limit and it is vital to keep within the speed limits specified on road signs; and in some road conditions, even driving at the speed limit could be too fast. You should always reduce your speed where the prevailing road conditions could present hazards.