--- title: "National Speed Limit Sign Meaning | UK Road Signs" url: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory/road-signs/national-speed-limit-plate description: "Learn what the national speed limit plate means, the limits it sets for different vehicles, and how it is tested in the DVSA theory test." lang: en --- # National speed limit plate — UK road sign A white circular plate with a black diagonal stripe showing that the national speed limit applies on that road. Image: National speed limit plate — white and black circle UK road sign (https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/signs/national-speed-limit-plate.svg) This sign is often mounted on a lamp post or a small post at the start of a stretch of road, especially where a lower limit has just ended. It does not state a number. Instead it tells you that the default national limit for that type of road now applies, and it is up to you to know what that limit is for your vehicle. ## What this sign means The plate is a plain white circle with a black diagonal band running from top left to bottom right. It marks the point where any previous lower speed limit ends and the national speed limit for that road begins. The actual limit depends on the road type and your vehicle. For cars and motorcycles it is 30mph in built up areas, 60mph on single carriageways, and 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways. Larger vehicles, and vehicles towing, have lower limits on some of these roads. ## What to do when you see it You need to judge which limit applies based on the road layout and what you are driving or towing. - Check whether you are on a single or dual carriageway - Remember your vehicle's specific limit, especially if towing a trailer or caravan - Adjust speed gradually and only once it is safe to do so - Watch for street lighting, which usually indicates a 30mph limit even without a sign ## How this sign is tested The theory test regularly asks candidates to identify this sign and to state the correct limits for cars, motorcycles, and towing vehicles on different road types. Questions may also test whether you understand that street lighting overrides the plate in the absence of other signs, implying a 30mph limit. ## Common mistakes A common error is assuming the national limit is always 70mph, forgetting that it varies by road type and vehicle class. Learners also sometimes fail to recognise that this sign gives no fixed number, wrongly believing it always means the maximum motorway speed applies. ## Test yourself on this one Road and traffic signs is the biggest category in the question bank with 102 questions, and signs turn up inside other categories too. Work through them free, no sign-up needed. Practise road sign questions (https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory/practice) ## Frequently asked questions What does the national speed limit sign look like? It is a white circle with a black diagonal stripe from the top left to the bottom right, usually mounted on a small post. What speed does it allow for cars? It permits up to 60mph on single carriageways and 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways, unless a lower limit applies to your vehicle. Does it apply to vehicles towing trailers? No. Vehicles towing trailers or caravans have lower national limits than solo cars, typically 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways. ## Passed your theory? Get the practical booked Your theory certificate lasts two years. Most learners who use it quickly do it with an intensive course — a block of hours with a DVSA approved instructor and a practical test at the end, instead of one lesson a week for months. Intensive course prices: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/pricing All courses: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/courses Crash courses: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/crash-courses Automatic lessons: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/driving-lessons/automatic Areas we cover: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/driving-lessons-in Driving test centres: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/driving-test-centres How it works: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/how-it-works Test pass guarantee: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/test-pass-guarantee ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#organization", "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons", "url": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/", "email": "info@fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk", "areaServed": "GB", "description": "Intensive driving courses and driving lessons across the UK with DVSA-approved instructors." }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#website", "url": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/", "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons", "publisher": { "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#organization" }, "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Theory test", "item": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Road signs", "item": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory/road-signs" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "National speed limit plate — UK road sign" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What does the national speed limit sign look like?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It is a white circle with a black diagonal stripe from the top left to the bottom right, usually mounted on a small post." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What speed does it allow for cars?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It permits up to 60mph on single carriageways and 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways, unless a lower limit applies to your vehicle." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does it apply to vehicles towing trailers?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Vehicles towing trailers or caravans have lower national limits than solo cars, typically 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways." } } ] } ] } ] ```