IT IS well documented that speeding is a crime in the UK, as it puts you and other motorists at risk.
Here, we look at speed limits in the UK and if there are any exceptions.
How many mph over the speed limit is allowed?
There isn't a specific amount of miles per hour that you can go over by, in fact you shouldn't even be going over them.
It is possible that you could be fined for exceeding the limit by just 1mph.
However, research by road assistance service Royal Automobile Club (RAC) concluded that there is a very small limit that authorities sometimes close an eye to.
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There is the "10 per cent plus 2mph rule" which suggests that drivers will be given leeway if they are going just over the speed limit.
For example, if the speed limit on the road is 30mph, the idea is that you will be ok if you travel at under 35mph, as 10 per cent of 30 is 3mph, and adding the 2mph makes 35mph.
However, despite what people think, this isn't a rule, and is more of a guideline.
This originates from the strategy formerly used by UK police forces when enforcing speed limits.
What are the UK speed limits?
There are speed limits set for different kind of roads.
A speed limit of 30 miles per hour is set for all single and dual carriageways with street lights, unless there are signs which indicate otherwise.
These are the speed limits for every type of road vehicle in the UK.
Built-up areas
The speed limit for all types of vehicles in built-up areas is 30mph.
Be it a car, a motorcycle, a bus or a heavy vehicle, across the UK, you can only drive at 30mph in such roads.
Single carriageways
The speed limits in single carriageways vary between vehicles.
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In such a road, the speed limits for:
- A car, a motorcycle, a car-derived van or a dual-purpose vehicle is 60mph.
- A car, a motorcycle, a car-derived can or a dual-purpose vehicle when towing a caravan or a trailer is 50mph.
- A motorhome or motor caravan that is not more than 3.05 tonnes is 60mph.
- A motorhome or motor caravan that is more than 3.05 tonnes is 50mph.
- All buses, coaches and minibuses, be it if they are under 12 metres long or over, is 50mph.
- Goods vehicles that do not carry more than 7.5 tonnes, is 50mph.
- Good vehicles that carry more than 7.5 tonnes in England and Wales, is 50mph.
- Goods vehicles that carry more than 7.5 tonnes in Scotland, is 40mph.
Dual carriageways
The speed limits in dual carriageways vary too, depending on the type of vehicle.
The speed limit for:
- A car, a motorcycle, a car-derived can or a dual-purpose vehicle is 70mph.
- A car, a motorcycle, a car-derived van or a dual-purpose vehicle towing a caravan or a trailer is 60mph.
- A motorhome or a motor caravan carrying less than 3.05 tonnes is 70mph.
- A motorhome or a motor caravan carrying more than 3.05 tonnes is 60mph.
- Buses, coaches and minibuses is always 60mph, no matter whether they are longer than 12 metres or not.
- A goods vehicle carrying less than 7.5 tonnes is 60mph.
- A goods vehicle carrying more than 7.5 tonnes in England and Wales is 60mph.
- A goods vehicle carrying more than 7.5 tonnes in Scotland is 50mph.
Motorways
On a motorway, the speed limits depends on what vehicle you are driving too.
The speed limit for:
- A car, a motorcycle, a car-derived van or a dual-purpose vehicle is 70mph.
- A car, a motorcycle, a car-derived van or a dual-purpose vehicle towing a caravan or a trailer is 60mph.
- A motorhome or a motor caravan carrying less or more than 3.05 tonnes is 70mph.
- A bus, a coach or a minibus that is shorter than 12 metres is 70mph.
- A bus, a coach or a minibus longer than 12 metres is 60mph.
- A goods vehicle carrying less than 7.5 tonnes is 70mph, but if it is towing a trailer, then it must be driven at 60mph.
- A good vehicle carrying more than 7.5 tonnes in England, Wales or Scotland is 60mph.
It's good to note some following changes that may be applied to how your vehicle is classified while driving:
- If your van is loaded with less than two tonnes, then it is considered as a car-derived van or dual-purpose vehicle.
- If your motorhome or motor caravan is either carrying goods for exhibition or used as a workshop or to keep storage, then they are classified as a goods vehicle.
How much is a speeding fine?
If you're caught speeding, you can be fined £100 and get three penalty points.
If you're stopped by police, they might take the following action instead:
- Give you a verbal warning.
- Give or send you an FPN - this is a fixed penalty notice which you can plead guilty or not guilty to. If you are guilty, you will be fined the speed penalty and might be sent to a speed awareness course, if you haven't been to one in the last three years. On the other hand, if you please not guilty, then you will have to go to court and if they find you guilty the fine and penalty points might go increase. Fines can go up to £1,000 and if you were on a motorway, £2,500.
- Order you to go to court. If they do this, you will receive a letter which will tell you what to do.