What are the weight-related speed limits for commercial vehicles?
The average Car-type van falls below the 2.0 tonne maximum gross weight and is, therefore, subject to the same national speed limits as a car (70 mph on dual carriageways & motorways and 60 mph on single carriageways). Any other goods vehicle 9including larger vans (not car derived) with a gross weight between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes is limited to 70 mph on motorways, 60 mph on dual carriageways and 50 mph on single carriageways. Any vehicle over 7.5 tonnes has 60 mph, 50 mph and 40 mph limits respectively. All goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight limit exceeding 7.5 tonnes must be fitted with a speed limiter set to 56 mph. All coaches which have a gross weight of more than 7.5 tonnes must have a speed limiter set to 62 mph. From 1996 coaches have not been permitted to use the outside lane of a motorway.
The average Transit van falls below the 3.5t max gross weight and therefore is subject to the same limits as a car under national speed limits (70mph on Dual carriageways and motorways, and 60mph on singles). Any vehicle with a gross weight over 3.5t and under 7.5t (including tranny’s with a trailer) are limited to 70mph on a motorway, 60 on dual carriageway and 50 on single carriageway. Any vehicle over 7.5t has 60mph, 50mph and 40mph limits respectively. BS217 1987 : All heavy goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight limit exceeding 7.5 tons must be fitted with a speed limiter set to 60 mph, now amended by EEC regulations to 56 mph (90 km/h). All coaches which have a gross vehicle weight more than 7.5 tons must have a speed limiter set to 70 mph, amended to 65 mph in 1996 and finally amended by EEC regulations to 62 mph (100 km/h). From 1996 they no longer been permitted to use the outside lane of a motorway.
