General rules
The signs below appear as you are about to enter or join a motorway. The sign on the left shows that the following must not enter a motorway:
Motorway ahead Motorway ahead Entry to motorway people who do not hold a full driving licence for the category of vehicle they are driving, vehicles incapable of a speed of at least 50kmh, vehicles with an engine capacity of 50cc or less, invalid carriages or motorised wheelchairs, vehicles that do not use inflated tyres, cyclists, pedestrians, and animals.
Motorway speed limits
The maximum speed limit on a motorway is 120km per hour unless:
- there are signs stating another speed limit – for example, warning signs
to highlight roadworks, you are driving a vehicle that is subject to a lower limit such as a bus or truck, or a permanent lower speed limit is in force for traffic safety reasons.
Remember, your total stopping distance at 120km per hour in dry conditions is 102 metres (27 car lengths). This is about the length of a soccer pitch.
The ordinary speed limit for HGVs is 90kmh on motorways (where no
lower speed limit is in place).
The ordinary speed limit for buses (that are not designed for carrying standing passengers) is 100kmh on motorways or dual carriageways (where no lower speed limit is in place).