Guide to Van Speed Limits and Regulations in the UK

With speeding convictions hitting an eight-year high in the UK, it’s little wonder that authorities are clamping down on drivers who pay no attention to the enforced limits. It’s important to stay safe when driving on the roads - even more so when you’re in charge of a larger vehicle. Read our essential guide to van speed limits and regulations in the UK and stay on the right side of the law!  

Why do speed limits exist?

Speed limits on roads across the UK are in place to ensure that vehicles travel at a speed deemed safe and suitable for that particular type or stretch of road. This is why speed limits vary in built-up areas compared to dual carriageways or motorways. 

With the overall aim to reduce road traffic collisions, speed limits are also essential to reducing noise pollution and emissions in many areas of the country. The advertised speed limits are the maximum speed at which a vehicle is permitted to travel on the road. 

Van speed limits UK 2024

Speed limits for vans in the UK can vary compared to that of cars, where the maximum travelling speed may be 10mph less in some areas. The table below outlines speed limits for car-derived vans, dual-purpose vehicles, motorhomes, minibuses, and vans not more than 7.5 tonnes in weight, on various different roads:

Speed limit rules for vans UK

When it comes to speed limits for vans in the UK, there are a number of rules to follow:

National speed limits for vans

The national speed limit is applicable on many different types of roads in the UK, but this limit can vary. Areas that have national speed limit regulations in place are identified by a sign with a white circle and a diagonal black line running across it. 

• Up to 60mph on a single carriageway 
• Up to 70mph on a dual carriageway (if a central reservation barrier is present, this is reduced to 60mph if not in place)
• Up to 70mph on a motorway

Bear in mind that some vans may be restricted to a maximum of 50mph on a single and dual carriageway, and 60mph on a motorway - particularly so if the vehicle is towing a trailer, or of a certain laden weight.

Speed limits for vans on roads with streetlights

Built-up areas with streetlights have restricted speed limits in place - this is because these places may have a higher volume of traffic, share the space with other road users (such as cyclists), and are likely to have pavements for pedestrians to walk along on either side.

• Restricted to 30mph in street-lit areas across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland
• Restricted to 20mph in street-lit areas across Wales

Local speed limits for vans

In some areas of the country, local authorities can set the speed limits which means they differ from the national speeds that are ordinarily in place. If speed limits differ from the norm, then clearly displayed signage will be present to highlight this:

• A 20mph (instead of 30mph) speed limit reduction zone may be in place by a school or housing estate
• A 50mph (instead of 60mph) speed limit reduction zone may be in place along roads with sharp bends   

Van speed limits for different types of roads

Speed limits vary for van drivers depending on the type of road you’re travelling on - this is the case for built-up areas in towns and cities, single carriageway roads, dual carriageways (with and without a central barrier), and motorways.

Van speed limits on single-carriageways UK

The speed at which you can drive in a van varies on single-carriageway roads in the UK. The limits are as follows:

• 60mph speed limit (excluding Scotland): car-derived vans, dual-purpose vehicles (such as pick-up trucks), motorhomes, campervans, motor caravans, and vans all under 3.5 tonnes of unladen weight
• 50mph speed limit (excluding Scotland): car-derived vans, dual-purpose vehicles, and vans towing a caravan or trailer, minibuses of all lengths, and vans over 3.5 tonnes laden weight
• 40mph speed limit (Scotland only): applicable to vehicles over 7.5 tonnes laden weight

Van speed limits on dual carriageways UK

Maximum dual carriageway speeds depend on the type of van you’re driving, and also vary if there is or isn’t a central reservation barrier present:

• 70mph speed limit (excluding Scotland): car-derived vans, dual-purpose vehicles (such as pick-up trucks), motorhomes, campervans, motor caravans, and vans all under 3.5 tonnes of unladen weight
• 60mph speed limit (excluding Scotland): car-derived vans, dual-purpose vehicles, and vans towing a caravan or trailer, minibuses of all lengths, and vans over 3.5 tonnes laden weight
• 50mph speed limit (Scotland only): applicable to vehicles over 7.5 tonnes laden weight

Van speed limits on motorways UK

As with single and dual carriageway driving, maximum motorway speeds will vary depending on the type of van being driven:

• 70mph speed limit: car-derived vans, dual-purpose vehicles (such as pick-up trucks), motorhomes, campervans, motor caravans, and vans all under 7.5 tonnes of laden weight, plus minibuses shorter than 12 metres long
• 60mph speed limit: car-derived vans, dual-purpose vehicles, and vans towing a caravan or trailer, minibuses over 12 metres long, and vans over 7.5 tonnes laden weight

Van speed limits in London

For safety reasons, speed limits in London have been lowered from 30mph to 20mph. In 2020, the city’s Mayor introduced a 20mph for all vehicles travelling in central London - this covers the areas of Camden, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Tower Hamlets. The aim is to expand the 20mph speed limit to areas outside of central London in 2024 and beyond.  

Speed limits for different types of vans

It’s not just different roads that dictate the speed for van drivers, the type of van being driven will also determine the speed limit. 

UK speed limit for vans up to 3.5 tonnes

Vans up to 3.5 tonnes in weight can range between small, medium and large-sized models - even long-wheelbase vans. This means that smaller-sized vans such as the Renault Kangoo will be limited to the same speeds as a larger van such as the Peugeot Boxer, and are as follows:

• Built-up areas: 30mph (applicable to England, Scotland and Northern Ireland only - the city speed limit in Wales is lowered to 20mph)
• Single carriageways: 60mph (this is reduced to 50mph when towing a trailer)
• Dual carriageways: 70mph (lowered to 60mph when towing a trailer)
• Motorways: 70mph (again, this is lowered to 60mph when towing a trailer)

UK speed limit for campervans, motorhomes and motor caravans

The speed limit for campervans (including campervan conversions), motorhomes and motor caravans differ from cars and car-derived vans. Much like vehicles towing a trailer, the general rule of thumb is that the speed limit is lowered by 10mph, which we’ve explained below:

Campervans, motorhomes and motor caravans under 3.5 tonnes unladen weight 

• Built-up areas: 30mph (in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland only - in Wales, the limit lowers to 20mph)
• Single carriageways: 60mph
• Dual carriageways: 70mph
• Motorways: 70mph

Campervans, motorhomes and motor caravans with over 3.5 tonnes of unladen weight  

• Built-up areas: 30mph (in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland only - in Wales, the limit lowers to 20mph)
• Single carriageways: 50mph
• Dual carriageways: 60mph
• Motorways: 70mph 

FAQS and Answers

We hope our guide to van speed limits has helped you understand UK regulations better. If you have any other questions that need answering, then please refer to our FAQs section below:  

Are van speed limits different from cars?

Yes, speed limits for vans can differ from those in place for cars. When this is the case, the speed limit for vans is 10mph less than for a car.

Do speed limits for vans differ?

Yes, van speed limits differ depending on what type of road you are travelling on.    

Why are van speed limits lower?

The main reason that speed limits for vans are lower compared to cars is because of their size and weight. This is especially true if a van is towing a trailer, or is over 7.5 tonnes in weight. 

When did van speed limits change?

Speed limits were first introduced in the UK back in 1861. Road regulations underwent a number of changes up until 1973 when the then-new national speed limit was introduced - including maximum speed regulations for vans. 

What is the speed limit for vans with side windows?

Despite many myths, a van with windows (be it at the side and/or the back) is allowed to travel at the same speed as a standard panel van. The legal speed limit would only be reduced by 10mph if the van was towing a trailer or classed as a goods vehicle. 

What is the speed limit for a van on a dual-carriageway?

Car-derived vans, dual-purpose vehicles (pick-up trucks) and standard-sized vans and motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes can travel up to 70mph on a dual carriageway, which is the UK national speed limit. Vehicles that are towing a trailer and vans over 3.5 tonnes are limited to 60mph on a dual carriageway.   

How many points will I get on my licence for breaking the van speed limit?

Penalties for speeding can include 3 points on your driving licence, but this all depends on the speed at which you were caught, and the circumstances in which you were caught speeding.  

What vans can do 70mph?

As long as the road has a national speed limit of 70mph, car-derived vans, dual-purpose vehicles (such as pick-up trucks), vans and motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes can travel at speeds of up to 70mph. 

Can average speed cameras tell the difference between cars and vans?

Speed cameras now use ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology to recognise a vehicle, this then identifies the model of the car or van in question and is very accurate. 

What’s the speed limit when towing a trailer?

When towing a trailer, vans must slow their speed by 10mph compared to the advertised maximum speed limit restriction. This applies to single-carriageways, dual-carriageways, and motorways.  

Do vans have to be fitted with speed limiters?

Vans are only required to have a speed limiter fitted if they carry more than 8 passengers, or are over 3.5 tonnes in weight.  

How to avoid getting caught speeding in a van

Slow down! If you don’t want to get caught speeding, then our advice is to stick to the designated speed limits within the areas you’re travelling.

Visit our trusted van centre in Surrey and London

When it comes to sourcing a new or used van, then look no further than Loads of Vans - we’re a trusted van centre specialising in the sale of petrol, diesel and electric commercial vehicles. Our dealership is located in North Cheam, South London where we can provide vehicles to customers nationwide. Speak with us to find out more.