Vanarama recently published a post about drivers caught breaking the law facing new penalties within weeks come Spring, especially van drivers. With that in mind, here's a look at the LOWER speed limits commercial vehicle drivers should be sticking to. Vanarama Content Editor Tom Roberts reports.
We've looked at how van drivers in particular are warned that if they get taken to court for speeding, their occupation – together with truck and bus drivers – will increase the seriousness of their offence in the eyes of magistrates following guidelines set by the Sentencing Council.
The government says: "You must not drive faster than the speed limit for the type of road and your type of vehicle. The speed limit is the absolute maximum - it doesn't mean it's safe to drive at this speed in all conditions."
What speed should van drivers be doing?
A speed limit of 30 MPH usually applies, unless you see signs showing otherwise. Most vans under 7.5 tonnes laden (loaded) weight, including Ford Transit vans:
- Have a lower speed limit than cars – in most cases 10-20 MPH lower than car drivers!
- MUST follow the speed limits for goods vehicles of the same weight.
A vehicle qualifying as a 'car-derived van' or 'dual-purpose vehicle' has the same speed limits as a car as laid out by the government here. Take a look at the table below for more information ( green shows where drivers must drive 10 MPH LESS than the speed limit for cars, and orange shows where they must drive 20 MPH LESS than the speed limit for cars):
| TYPE OF VEHICLE | BUILT-UP AREAS | SINGLE CARRIAGEWAYS | DUAL CARRIAGEWAYS | MOTORWAYS | | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | | Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles | 30 MPH | 50 MPH | 60 MPH | 60 MPH | | Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles when towing caravans or trailers | 30 MPH | 50 MPH | 60 MPH | 60 MPH | | Goods vehicles (not more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight | 30 MPH | 50 MPH | 60 MPH | 70 MPH(60 MPH if articulated or towing a trailer) | | Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in England and Wales | 30 MPH | 50 MPH | 60 MPH | 60 MPH | | Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in Scotland | 30 MPH | 40 MPH | 50 MPH | 60 MPH |
