UK speed limits quiz

Seven questions on Highway Code rules 124, 125 and 261: the national limits for a car, the limit on lit roads, towing, and limits in a red circle.

Checked against GOV.UK · Report a mistake

Speed limits quiz

Pick an answer to see straight away if you’re right, with the reason and the rule it comes from. Your score shows at the end. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Question 1 of 7

  1. You drive a car without a trailer. What is its national limit on a single carriageway?

    • 60 mph Right
    • 50 mph
    • 70 mph
    • 30 mph

    The right answer is A: 60 mph

    WhyThe national speed limit for a car without a trailer on a single carriageway is 60 mph.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 124: Speed limits table

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  2. What is the national speed limit for a car without a trailer on a dual carriageway?

    • 60 mph
    • 70 mph Right
    • 50 mph
    • 30 mph

    The right answer is B: 70 mph

    WhyThe national speed limit for a car without a trailer on a dual carriageway is 70 mph.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 124: Speed limits table

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  3. What is the national speed limit for a car without a trailer on a motorway?

    • 70 mph Right
    • 60 mph
    • 50 mph
    • 30 mph

    The right answer is A: 70 mph

    WhyThe national motorway speed limit for a car without a trailer is 70 mph.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 124: Speed limits table

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  4. In England, you are driving on a town road with street lighting but no speed limit signs. What is the speed limit?

    • 30 mph Right
    • 20 mph
    • 40 mph
    • The national speed limit

    The right answer is A: 30 mph

    WhyOn lit roads in England, other than motorways, the limit is 30 mph unless signs show otherwise.

    Source: Know Your Traffic Signs: Speed limit signs

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  5. You join a motorway while towing a caravan with your car. No lower speed limit is displayed. What is the maximum speed allowed for your combination?

    • 50 mph
    • 60 mph Right
    • 70 mph
    • 30 mph

    The right answer is B: 60 mph

    WhyA car towing a caravan has a motorway speed limit of 60 mph.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 124: Speed limits table

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  6. You see a motorway overhead signal showing 60 inside a red circle. What does this mean?

    • 60 mph is advised but not compulsory
    • The limit applies only to goods vehicles
    • You must not exceed 60 mph Right
    • You must drive at least 60 mph

    The right answer is C: You must not exceed 60 mph

    WhyA speed limit shown inside a red circle is mandatory, so you must not exceed it.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 261, Know Your Traffic Signs: Motorway signals and variable signs

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  7. The speed limit is the absolute maximum. What does this mean?

    • It may not be safe to drive at it Right
    • You can always drive safely at it
    • It is a target to aim for
    • It is the minimum speed to use

    The right answer is A: It may not be safe to drive at it

    WhyThe speed limit is an absolute maximum, not a speed that is safe in all conditions.

    Source: The Highway Code, rule 125

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The national speed limits for a car

For a car without a trailer, Highway Code rule 124 gives 60 mph on a single carriageway and 70 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway. With a caravan or trailer it is 50 mph on a single carriageway and 60 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway. On roads with street lights (not motorways) the limit is generally 30 mph, or 20 mph in Wales, unless signs show otherwise (rule 124, checked 2 November 2026).

A limit is the most you may drive, not a target: rule 125 says it “does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed irrespective of conditions”.

For any you got wrong, open the rule linked in the answer and read it once more. The Highway Code is one of the three books the theory test’s multiple-choice questions are based on (GOV.UK). Ready for more? Practise theory test questions by topic or take the 50-question timed practice quiz.

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Sources

(6)
  1. The Highway Code, rule 124 (speed limits table), GOV.UK
  2. The Highway Code, rule 125, GOV.UK
  3. The Highway Code, rule 261, GOV.UK
  4. Know your traffic signs: speed limit signs, GOV.UK
  5. Know your traffic signs: motorway signs, signals and road markings, GOV.UK
  6. Theory test: revision and practice, GOV.UK

Source: The Highway Code and Know your traffic signs on GOV.UK, checked 2 November 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.