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Highway Code · Rule 124

Highway Code Rule 124

General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158). A legal requirement (MUST / MUST NOT).

  • General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders
  • Legal requirement
  • OGL v3.0

What the rule says

Law · MUST

Rule 124 (Control of the vehicle (rules 117 to 126)) You MUST NOT exceed the maximum speed limits for the road and for your vehicle (see the table below). A speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h), or 20mph (32km/h) in Wales, generally applies to all roads with street lights (excluding motorways) unless signs show otherwise. Speed limits Speed Limits Built-up areas, England, Scotland Built up areas, Wales Single carriageways Dual carriageways Motorways Type of vehicle mph (km/h) mph (km/h) mph (km/h) mph (km/h) mph (km/h) Cars & motorcycles (including car derived vans up to 2 tonnes maximum laden weight) 30 (48) 20 (32) 60 (96) 70 (112) 70 (112) Cars towing caravans or trailers (including car derived vans and motorcycles) 30 (48) 20 (32) 50 (80) 60 (96) 60 (96) Motorhomes or motor caravans (not exceeding 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) 30 (48) 20 (32) 60 (96) 70 (112) 70 (112) Motorhomes or motor caravans (exceeding 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) 30 (48) 20 (32) 50 (80) 60 (96) 70 (112) Buses, coaches and minibuses (not exceeding 12 metres in overall length) 30 (48) 20 (32) 50 (80) 60 (96) 70† (112) Goods vehicles (not exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) 30 (48) 20 (32) 50 (80) 60 (96) 70†† (112) Goods vehicles (exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in England and Wales 30 (48) 20 (32) 50 (80) 60 (96) 60 (96) Goods vehicles (exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in Scotland 30 (48) 20 (32) 40 (64) 50 (80) 60 (96) † 60 mph (96 km/h) if exceeding 12 metres in overall length. †† 60 mph (96 km/h) if articulated or towing a trailer. For speed limits that apply to special types of vehicles, such as oversized vehicles, see Further reading. Locally set speed limits may apply, for example

  • 20 mph (32 km/h) in some built-up areas in England and Scotland
  • 30 mph (48 km/h) in some built-up areas in Wales
  • 50 mph (80 km/h) on single carriageways with known hazards
  • variable speed limit signs are used on some motorways and dual carriageways to change the maximum speed limit. Speed limits are enforced by the police. Law RTRA sects 81, 86, 89 & sched 6 as amended by MV(VSL)(E&W), RR(20)O Rule 124: Examples of speed enforcement Rule 124: Examples of speed enforcement

Rule text reproduced verbatim from the official Highway Code (Crown copyright) under the Open Government Licence v3.0, see the attribution at the foot of this page.

In plain English

Stripped of the formal wording, Rule 124 comes down to one idea: rule 124 (Control of the vehicle (rules 117 to 126)) You MUST NOT exceed the maximum speed limits for the road and for your vehicle (see the table below). Because it is written with “MUST” or “MUST NOT”, it carries the force of law, ignore it and you are committing an offence, not simply driving badly.

It belongs to the general rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders part of the Code, the habits a confident, considerate driver builds until they are automatic. The aim is not to memorise the sentence word for word, but to understand the hazard it protects you from, so you apply it without having to think when it counts.

If you are learning, treat this rule as one piece of a connected set rather than an isolated fact. The related rules below sit in the same section and reinforce each other, reading them together is how the general rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders part of the Code starts to feel like common sense rather than a list to revise.

Because this is a legal rule, the consequences of ignoring it reach beyond the test: a “MUST” or “MUST NOT” breach can mean a fixed penalty, points on your licence, or in serious cases prosecution. Either way, the safe move is to build the habit early, while a driving instructor can correct it, rather than relearning it under test pressure. That is exactly what the practice routes and coaching in the DriveRoutes app are designed to help with, turning the rules below into the way you naturally drive.

Why rule 124 matters on the road

These are the foundations every other skill builds on. Solid mirror work, sensible speed and good lighting habits quietly prevent the situations the rest of the Code has to deal with.

Common faults examiners record

In the general rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders part of the Code, the faults most often written on the marking sheet tend to be the same handful. Knowing them in advance is the quickest way to drive them out of your own habits:

  • Skipping or rushing mirror checks before a manoeuvre.
  • Carrying an unsuitable speed for the road and conditions.
  • Reacting late because hazards were spotted too close.

On the day

On the day, applying Rule 124 is about doing the safe, deliberate thing slightly earlier than feels necessary: read the situation in good time, observe fully, and act smoothly. The examiner is looking for planned driving, not perfection, and good habits formed in lessons carry you through.

Quick checklist

  • Read the situation early and plan your response.
  • Observe fully before you commit to anything.
  • Keep your speed suitable for the road and conditions.

More from General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders

Related Highway Code rules

Rule 124, your questions

Rule 124 (Control of the vehicle (rules 117 to 126)) You MUST NOT exceed the maximum speed limits for the road and for your vehicle (see the table below). It is a legal requirement, it uses “MUST” or “MUST NOT”, so breaking it is a criminal offence that can mean a fine, penalty points, or disqualification.

DriveRoutes is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).