Speed camera sign: what it means
The blue speed camera sign with a 30 roundel means a speed camera is nearby on a lit road with a 30 mph limit. It is also a reminder of the limit, because such roads have no repeater signs.
What does the speed camera sign mean?
Know your traffic signs explains that 30 mph repeater signs are not used on roads with street lighting, so this sign reminds you of the limit as well as warning of the camera. A similar sign with the national speed limit roundel is used on unlit roads.
Other camera signs, such as the camera symbol on its own, warn of areas where cameras enforce the speed limit.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Cameras measure your average speed here.
- A speed camera is near, on a 30 mph road.
- Maximum speed 30 mph.
Show answer
B. A speed camera is near, on a 30 mph road. It warns of a speed camera on a lit road with a 30 mph limit, where there are no repeater signs (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: speed limit signs, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 124, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On lit roads in towns and villages where the limit is 30 mph.
What should you do?
Check your speed and keep to 30 mph or less, before and after the camera. Remember that in England and Scotland a road with street lights usually has a 30 mph limit unless signs show otherwise, and in Wales 20 mph (The Highway Code, rule 124).
What do people get wrong?
Slowing down only for the camera. The limit applies along the whole road, and the sign is there because the limit is not repeated.
Common questions
Why does the sign show 30 and not a repeater sign?
On lit roads with a 30 mph limit there are no repeater signs, so the camera sign also reminds you of the limit (Know your traffic signs).
What is the speed limit on a road with street lights?
Usually 30 mph in England and Scotland and 20 mph in Wales, unless signs show otherwise (The Highway Code, rule 124).
Compare with
Average speed check signCameras measure your average speed here.
30 mph speed limit signMaximum speed 30 mph.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 3 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (speed limit signs) and The Highway Code rule 124.
- Know your traffic signs: speed limit signs, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 124, GOV.UK
- Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Traffic sign images are Crown copyright, from the Department for Transport. Sources and image credits.