National speed limit sign

What it means

The speed limit is the national limit for the type of road and the type of vehicle you're driving, rather than a number shown on the sign.

For cars and motorcycles, the national limit is 60 mph on a single carriageway and 70 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway. Lower limits apply to some vehicles, such as those towing a caravan or trailer, and goods vehicles.

It's a maximum, not a target. On a narrow country lane where the national limit applies, a safe speed may be far lower.

Smaller repeater signs remind you of the limit. National speed limit repeaters are only used on roads with street lighting, where you might otherwise assume a 30 mph limit.

What the symbol shows

There's no number on this sign. The black diagonal band tells you the national limit applies, so the number depends on the type of road and your vehicle.

Memory tip: No number on the sign? Then the number depends on the road and your vehicle.

Where you'll see it

Where a lower speed limit ends, for example as you leave a town or village, and as repeater signs along roads with street lighting.

Rules to know

• The sign means the national speed limit for the type of road and class of traffic applies.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 21

• You must not exceed the maximum speed limits for the road and for your vehicle.

  The Highway Code, Rule 124

• Don't treat speed limits as a target. It is often not appropriate or safe to drive at the maximum speed limit.

  The Highway Code, Rule 146

What happens if you ignore it

• The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points on your licence.

  Speeding penalties, Speeding penalties

• If the case goes to court, the fine is usually a percentage of your weekly income, up to £1,000 (£2,500 on a motorway).

  Speeding penalties, Speeding penalties

• Exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road carries 3 to 6 penalty points (endorsement code SP30).

  Penalty points (endorsements): endorsement codes and penalty points, Endorsement code SP30

General information, not legal advice. Enforcement can differ between areas.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking the sign means there's no speed limit.

  Instead: It means the national speed limit applies: for cars, 60 mph on single carriageways and 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

• Mistake: Thinking it always means 70 mph.

  Instead: 70 mph is for dual carriageways and motorways. On a single carriageway the national limit for cars is 60 mph.

Test yourself

Recalling the answer helps it stick. Pick an answer to see how you did.

Question 1 of 1

What does this sign mean?

• AThe national speed limit applies.
• BYou must turn left at the junction ahead.
• CGive way to traffic from your immediate right and go round the central markings.
• DGive priority to vehicles coming from the opposite direction.

Full road sign quizzes are coming soon. See what's planned