Speed limits vary depending on the vehicle you are driving and the roads you are driving on.
Many van drivers think the speed limit for vans is the same as cars...its not!
In fact vans differ from cars on single and dual carriageways. A van can only drive at 50mph on a single carriageway and 60mph on a dual carriageway whereas cars can travel at 60mph & 70mph respectively.
Know your limits
In many urban areas the speed limit is now 20mph and especially by schools and heavily built up areas.
Wales have also introduced 20mph limits in all areas that used to be 30mph
In urban areas if you are unsure what the speed limit is then look out for street lights. Unless otherwise stated this will be a 30mph (20mph in Wales) zone.
What's the difference between miles per hour (mp/h) & Kilometres per hour (kp/h)
| MP/H | KM/H |
| 30 | 48 |
| 40 | 64 |
| 50 | 80 |
| 60 | 96 |
| 70 | 112 |
The calculation between MPH and KPH:
1 MPH = 1.60934 KPH
Different Road Conditions
Irrespective of the speed limit, it is imperative to always exercise sound judgment based on the prevailing road and weather conditions.
For instance, when faced with slippery roads or driving along streets with parked cars, it is prudent to adjust your speed accordingly.
During such journeys, it is crucial to remain vigilant and be aware of potential hazards, including:
- Pedestrians suddenly emerging from behind parked vehicles, with children being particularly susceptible to such behaviour.
- Vehicles that may abruptly pull in or out without signalling.
- Drivers' doors unexpectedly opening.
You may find that at some roadworks there are temporary speed limits to slow down traffic. These speed limits are mandatory and may be enforced by cameras or police officers patrolling the area.
VAN Speed Limits
You will have seen from the table, van limits are different for the type of van you are driving and if you are towing a trailer.
Run a fleet of vehicles and looking for more control?
If you are running a fleet of vans do your drivers know these speeds?
Do you have the processes in place. At MPH we have the resources to help manage your vehicles.
This can be via our Driver App that allows vehicle checks and has a Van tool kit giving lots of information for drivers. Have a look at our software packages which start from just £2 per vehicle per month.
If you don't have time to manage it yourself then why not let us help you, check out our fleet management page for more information.
Not sure if you are compliant or not sure what's involved, why not take our Fleet Confidence Challenge
This short, free course is designed to help you understand your duty of care, know your 10 most important fleet tasks and help you create a legally compliant “Driving for Work” policy. You will be creating a fleet strategy that will give you the confidence to excel at your role within fleet.