Many drivers aren’t aware that the speed limit signs aren’t universal for every type of driver, the numbers you see on the speed limit signs are for cars because they are the most common vehicle type on the roads in the UK.

It is important to know the different speed limits especially if you drive a van to avoid a speeding penalty which will leave you with a maximum fine of £2500 and points on your licence.

Speed Limits for the UK

Goods Vehicles with laden weight up to 7.5 tonnes.

So, if you own a van you should follow the speed limits for a goods vehicle looking at the weight of your van. The maximum laden weight of your vehicle can also be referred to as gross vehicle weight (GVW), gross vehicle mass (GVM) or maximum authorised mass (MAM).

Goods vehicles with a weight of up to 7.5 tonnes GVW have set speed limits but European laws mean that commercial vehicles with a laden weight between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes should have a restricted speed limit of 56mph. Also, in order to drive a vehicle with a laden weight above 3.5 tonnes, you need a different driving licence.

Car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles.

Image Source

A car-derived van is technically defined as a passenger vehicle that has been constructed as a goods vehicle but doesn’t have a maximum laden weight that exceeds 2 tonnes according to UK road traffic regulations.  Examples of car derived vehicles include The Ford Fiesta Van and Vauxhall Corsavan.

According to UK road traffic regulations, the definition for a dual-purpose vehicle is ‘a vehicle constructed or adapted for the carriage both of passengers and of goods and designed to weigh no more than 2,040kg when unladen.’ It also must either:

• Be a 4-wheel drive – ‘constructed so that the driving power of the engine is or can be selected to be, transmitted to all wheels of the vehicle’.
• Have a permanently fitted with a rigid roof and have at least one row of passenger seats behind the driver’s seat with side and rear windows and the correct ratio of passenger space to load area.

Examples of dual-purpose vehicles include a Mitsubishi L200 or Ford Ranger.

Speed limit when towing a trailer or a caravan.

No matter what vehicle you drive and what the speed limits are for that vehicle, the set speed limit for any type of vehicle towing a trailer or a caravan is 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways and 30mph in built areas and 50mph on single carriageways.

Speeding Penalties.

Being caught breaking the speed limits in a van or pickup can leave you with a £2,500 fine if you were on the motorway and a £1000 fine if you’re on a minor road.

But if you go to court for speeding the amount you could be fined is now 175% of your weekly salary. If you are taken to court, the amount of your fine will depend on which category you fit into:

The penalties for each band are as follows:

• Band A – 3 points on your licence and a fine of 50% of relevant weekly income.

• Band B – 4-6 points or disqualify your licence for 7-28 days and a fine of 100% of relevant weekly income.

• Band C – 6 points on your licence or your licence can be disqualified for 7-56 days and a fine of 150% of relevant weekly income.

With them speeding penalties we suggest you find the correct speed limits for your vehicle and stick to them to avoid penalties and keep yourself and other road users safe.