Suppose you are driving along the highway and run past a speed camera in a split second. There wasn’t any speed Limit sign on the way, and suddenly you realise you are not sure how fast you’re supposed to go.

If this case, your friend suggests you not to worry and go by the National speed limit! What does that mean? From planning to pass your driving test to confidently driving across UK roads, the national speed limit is the most vital piece of information a driver needs behind the wheel.

Although it can be confusing for new drivers, we made sure that you understand every bit as easily as you drive on road trips. So, Here’s everything you need to know about the national speed limit in the UK.

What is the national speed limit, and when do you apply it?

A national speed limit is the default top speed a driver can drive on any road.

It’s normal to see clear road signs with an upper-speed limit per mile. But what to do when the sign says the national speed limit or even when you miss the sign? This is when the traffic defaults to the neutral speed limit that serves everyone.

Easy peasy, right? Well, there’s more. Of course, we won’t rush it because acknowledging the national speed limit is half the journey. Infact, your national speed limit depends on your vehicle category & the type of road you’re driving on.

What does the national speed limit sign look like?

As with every other road sign in the UK, the national speed limit sign is circular. But, you won’t see any numbers because the speed can differ on different roads. Instead, there’s a black strip printed diagonally across a white background – from bottom left to top right.

These signs are found standing alone across the road or affixed to a lamppost beside.

Do you know all the road signs in the UK? Here’s a guide to ring road signs and their meaning.

Also, If you plan to have your first driving test, click here to consult your first driving theory test practice.

The national speed limit on a dual carriageway

The national speed limit of your vehicle on a dual carriageway in the UK is 50 mph.

Mostly, learners think that dual carriageways are roads with two lanes in each direction. But in reality, the road is divided by a central reservation by adding a physical barrier in between.

In fact, you’ll get to see a metal barrier or a grass verge separating the carriageway to reduce the risk of vehicles entering the lane & facing the traffic. Motorways and A-roads also fall under the same category.

The national speed limit on a single carriageway

The national speed limit of your vehicle on a dual carriageway in the UK is 40 mph.

In single carriageways, there is no central reservation to separate the traffic. Thus, if you are to cross the road, you’ll end up on the other side without any physical barrier to cross.

Now, a narrow country lane is also technically obligated to the same speeding restrictions as roads with 2 or 3 lanes. Judging the lane, 60 mph is precisely the upper-speed limit on single carriageways.

You need to remain in control of your vehicle every time and anticipate the unfortunate hazards throughout the way.

The national speed limit in built-up areas

The zone is called a built-up area if you see a street with three or more street lights in a row (no more than 183m apart).

The built-up area holds the lowest national speed limit of 30 mph. Typically, you see a 30 mph sign wherever you enter a city, town or village area. If you can’t find the sign, you should always assume the speed limit of 30 mph and drive by within the built-up areas.

For more information, visit Speed limits info by the UK government.

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