Speed Limit Signs

What is the national speed limit?

In areas of street lighting (other than motorways) a speed limit of 30mph applies UNLESS signs show otherwise. In Wales 20mph

National speed limit for type of road and class of traffic applies

Explain larger and repeater signs

• larger sign indicates the start of a speed limit

• smaller repeater signs are reminders

• repeater signs for a 30mph limit are used only on roads with no street lighting

• repeater signs for the national speed limit are used only on roads with street lighting (other than motorways)

Entrance to a 20mph zone where traffic calming measures may be encountered 

End of 20mph zone, start of 30mph speed limit

Start of a speed limit at the boundary of a town or village

Start of motorway regulations, inluding national speed limit (unless different speed limit is signed)

Point on a road with street lighting where an existing 30mph limit originally ended but has now been extended (temporary sign). 

Alerts drivers that a previous higher limit has been replaced by a 30mph limit by the removal of speed limit signs

Length of road where two cameras are used to measure the average speed of a vehicle between two points.

Speed camera nearby on a lit road with a 30mph speed limit (there are no repeater signs)

Speed camera nearby on an unlit road subject to the national speed limit (no repeater signs)

Maximum speed advised at a bend (plate may be used with other warning signs)

Minimum speed permitted unless it’s unsafe to comply

If there’s a red line through it, it means the end of minimum speed requirement

Start of variable speed limit on length of road where enforcement cameras are in use 

End of variable speed limit. National speed limit now applies.