Speed limits for car-derived vans on DC and NSL roads
Discussion
Hi guys, I drive a Vauxhall Combo van for work which is about the same size as a medium estate car (ie much smaller than a Transit). Someone was telling me yesterday that the speed limits for *all* vans (regardless of size or vehicle weight) are 50mph on single carriageway NSL roads, and 60mph on dual carriageway roads.
I thought I had heard that large vans (over 3.5 ton if I remember rightly) were subject to lower speed limits in some instances, but small vans were equivalent to cars in the eyes of the law.
Can anyone give a definitive answer? I am not at all convinced that they are correct, but in the interests of maintaining a clean licence I would like to know the law!
I thought I had heard that large vans (over 3.5 ton if I remember rightly) were subject to lower speed limits in some instances, but small vans were equivalent to cars in the eyes of the law.
Can anyone give a definitive answer? I am not at all convinced that they are correct, but in the interests of maintaining a clean licence I would like to know the law!
I just checked the plate inside the door on my van, it has two weight values but no details on what they actually are. First is 1995kg, second is 2700kg. I guess first is max laden weight, and second is max towing weight including a trailer . . . so I should be OK!
That 2000kg weight limit seems really low though, surely many passenger cars are comfortably over that when laden! Why single out heavy vans for lower limits and allow equally heavy cars to follow the normal limits?
That 2000kg weight limit seems really low though, surely many passenger cars are comfortably over that when laden! Why single out heavy vans for lower limits and allow equally heavy cars to follow the normal limits?
aww999 said:
I just checked the plate inside the door on my van, it has two weight values but no details on what they actually are. First is 1995kg, second is 2700kg. I guess first is max laden weight, and second is max towing weight including a trailer . . . so I should be OK!
That 2000kg weight limit seems really low though, surely many passenger cars are comfortably over that when laden! Why single out heavy vans for lower limits and allow equally heavy cars to follow the normal limits?
Cos years and years ago commercial vehicles were significantly worse than cars handling wise, braking etc. All thats changed today as vans are built to car standards and most small vans have a car-class equivalent people carrier body, but with the advent of speed cam profiteering it's a outdated and irrelevant law that allows the government to steal more of your money, and police to reach their targets.That 2000kg weight limit seems really low though, surely many passenger cars are comfortably over that when laden! Why single out heavy vans for lower limits and allow equally heavy cars to follow the normal limits?
Edited by hairyben on Monday 10th August 11:51
SS2. said:
If the van is car derived AND has a maximum laden weight of not more than 2 tons, then it is not subject to special [lower] speed limits for its class.
More info here.
As always DfT claim that the 'larger panel vans' are subject to the lower limits while concealing the existence of the Dual purpose vehicle class that are not. Many 'panel vans' conform with this definition.More info here.
so for info - Dual Purpose vehicle is defined under Reg 3, MV (Construction and Use) Regs 1986 - a vehicle constructed or adapted for the carriage of both passengers and goods or burden of any description, being a vehicle the unladen weight if which DOES NOT EXCEED 2040 kgms AND which either (abbreviated):
is so constructed that driving power of engine can be transmitted to ALL wheels of the vehicle, or
a)has a rigid roof with or without sliding roof panel,
AND,
b)the area of the vehicle to the rear of the drivers seat must have at least one row of properly upholstered transverse seats (fixed or folding) capable of carry at least two persons,
AND
c) the distance between the steering wheel and the back rests of the rearmost seats must not be less than one third of the distance between the steering wheel and the rearmost part of the floor, AND
d) the side windows to the rear of the drivers seat must have an area of not less that 1850 sq.cms on either side and not less than 770 sq.cms at the rear.
aww999 said:
That 2000kg weight limit seems really low though, surely many passenger cars are comfortably over that when laden! Why single out heavy vans for lower limits and allow equally heavy cars to follow the normal limits?
Because the law is an ass, much like most of those who make it.This is a very confusing area. I am tempted to go for a Fiat Fiorino van, as I have a small holding and need to carry hay, etc. However, I fear that the policy amongst our camera wielding friends may be to 'do' all vans for the lower limit and leave the poor suckers to fight it - which most people would not.
Cynical?
Why oh why can't the 'clarification' on the DfT site just list the vans.......
silly me
Cynical?
Why oh why can't the 'clarification' on the DfT site just list the vans.......
silly me
Richard C said:
SS2. said:
If the van is car derived AND has a maximum laden weight of not more than 2 tons, then it is not subject to special [lower] speed limits for its class.
More info here.
As always DfT claim that the 'larger panel vans' are subject to the lower limits while concealing the existence of the Dual purpose vehicle class that are not. Many 'panel vans' conform with this definition.More info here.
so for info - Dual Purpose vehicle is defined under Reg 3, MV (Construction and Use) Regs 1986 - a vehicle constructed or adapted for the carriage of both passengers and goods or burden of any description, being a vehicle the unladen weight if which DOES NOT EXCEED 2040 kgms AND which either (abbreviated):
is so constructed that driving power of engine can be transmitted to ALL wheels of the vehicle, or
a)has a rigid roof with or without sliding roof panel,
AND,
b)the area of the vehicle to the rear of the drivers seat must have at least one row of properly upholstered transverse seats (fixed or folding) capable of carry at least two persons,
AND
c) the distance between the steering wheel and the back rests of the rearmost seats must not be less than one third of the distance between the steering wheel and the rearmost part of the floor, AND
d) the side windows to the rear of the drivers seat must have an area of not less that 1850 sq.cms on either side and not less than 770 sq.cms at the rear.
We had a discussion a while back where I showed that two outwardly identical Merc vans had completely different limits because one was sold as a people carrier on the car list, the other was sold as a van with seats and windows. Same running gear, weights met the criteria, but not classed as car-derived.
However to help you further I looked at the Vauxhall website. Reason is that ift it was a Corsavan or Astravan it's clear that these are car-derived vans. I had no idea off the top what a Combo van was, and hidden away in the news and reviews section I found this.
ARE YOU SPEED SAVVY IN A VAN?
14/04/2008
New survey for Vauxhall highlights lack of speed limit knowledge; 85 per cent of drivers do not know correct limits when driving a van; 36 per cent have broken the speed limit on dual carriageways
A new survey carried out for Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles has highlighted a disturbing lack of knowledge of the varying speed limits on UK roads when driving a van compared to a car.
For those to whom a van is an essential part of their business, full knowledge of appropriate speed limits is usually second nature, but how many ordinary motorists have hired vans for private use without knowing the facts?
Of those surveyed a staggering 85 per cent believed that vans of all sizes obey the same speed limits as both cars and car derived vans.
The real truth, of course, is that while vans with a gross vehicle weight of less than 2000kg, such as the Vauxhall Astravan or Combo, are subject to the same speed limits as normal passenger cars, larger goods vehicles not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, but over 2000kg, are subject to lower speed limits on single and dual carriageways. All non passenger-carrying vehicles of less than 7.5 tonnes share a maximum speed limit of 70 mph on motorways.
The survey showed that of the 72 per cent of respondents who were incorrect in their knowledge of the correct speed on single carriageways, half believed they should not exceed 40 mph while the remainder believed they were safe to drive at 60 mph, the correct speed for cars, but not for larger vans which should be driven at no more than 50 mph.
A similar view was held on dual carriageway limits, the correct speed for a van over 2000kg is 60 mph, 28 per cent thought it should be 50 mph and a further 24 per cent assumed it was 70mph - the same speed limit as in a car.
Results for motorway driving were split fairly evenly with 44 per cent correctly assuming it was the same speed limit as a car - 70mph, while 56 per cent mistakenly thought it should be a slower speed of 60mph.
"For operators who want to avoid speed limit confusion, a van with a laden weight below 2000kg makes a lot of sense", said Steve Bryant, Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles brand manager. "It's where vehicles such as Combo and Astravan have a key advantage over their natural competitors, many of which are subject to the lower speed limits".
HTH
F i F
SS2. said:
twiglove said:
American 4 door pick up truck
A passenger vehicle, motor caravan or dual-purpose vehicle exceeding 3,050kgs (unladen) would be limited to 70mph (motorway), 60mph (dual carriageway other than a motorway) and 50mph (single carriageway).
Thanks for that info..
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