Van Speed Limits - a Query

[developer]

When it comes to the multitude of van sizes, configurations, weights, number of seats, windows etc, is there a website where I can enter a vehicle registration and find out whether car or van speed limits are applied please?

[Keep it stiff]

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits

[FiF]

There is no such website AFAIK in answer to the question in the OP.

In the end it boils down to taking the information provided on the V5C and the vehicle weight plate details and other dimensions, for example in the case of a dual purpose vehicle, then applying that knowledge to the relevant regulations.

[Pica-Pica]

Also bear in mind a 'car-derived van' is exactly that - a car with the rear sides windows replaced by metal. It is not, for instance, a van built on the same chassis platform as a car (such as Ford Transit Courier which was/is built on the same platform as the Ford Focus/Puma car). Someone I know ended up on a Speed Awareness Course because they believed that. Personally, I believe there should not be that distinction.

ETA: cue a discussion on Dual v Single Carriageways and rolling tennis balls.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Wednesday 21st January 17:07

[jock mcsporran]

Also, Kombi vans come under Dual Purpose Vehicles because of the second row of seats. Penalties have successfully been appealed on that basis.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

developer said:

When it comes to the multitude of van sizes, configurations, weights, number of seats, windows etc, is there a website where I can enter a vehicle registration and find out whether car or van speed limits are applied please?

The way I always work is if it's a van it's a van, so van speed limits apply. As said, there are a few variations in as much as if you are driving a Corsa, but it's a van then car limits apply.

In essence observing the different speed limits makes hardly any difference, just 10mph which in practice adds very little time to a journey.

(I do a 200 mile round trip regularly in my Ranger or in my Golf. The two sets of speed limits makes virtually no difference to the overall time in the real world).

[Pica-Pica]

jock mcsporran said:

Also, Kombi vans come under Dual Purpose Vehicles because of the second row of seats. Penalties have successfully been appealed on that basis.

The 'dual purpose' aspect is a nightmare to understand. If someone was buying one, I would suggest they go through the legal details on line, and not take the seller's assurance on this.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

It always makes me chuckle when I drive from Grantham to Huntingdon on the A1. In my Ranger some is 60 mph, then on A1m 70 mph, then back to 60 mph...all on the same dual carriageway.

[FiF]

Pica-Pica said:

Also bear in mind a 'car-derived van' is exactly that - a car with the rear sides windows replaced by metal. It is not, for instance, a van built on the same chassis platform as a car (such as Ford Transit Courier which was/is built on the same platform as the Ford Focus/Puma car). Someone I know ended up on a Speed Awareness Course because they believed that. Personally, I believe there should not be that distinction.

ETA: cue a discussion on Dual v Single Carriageways and rolling tennis balls.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Wednesday 21st January 17:07

Also don't forget that in the car derived van scenario there are times when the answer depends on who you ask.

Also there have been such things as van derived cars where at some point marketing have suggested that a product line which hitherto has been a van gets a second row of seats and some windows. Again someone I know ended up on a SAC because they thought it was now a dual purpose vehicle so qualified car limits. It complied in all measurements except for the obscured rear windows for security.

[Driversmatter]

Keep it simple if it looks like a van it’s a van.

Car derived mean: (has to confirm to all 3)
Same name as the car on which it’s based
Same silhouette as the car
Below 2000 max gross weight.

Crew cab pick ups were changed back to car speed limits new tax year 2025.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Driversmatter said:

Crew cab pick ups were changed back to car speed limits new tax year 2025.

Is that only for those that are under 2040 kg?

[Driversmatter]

.gov website doesn’t stipulate a weight limit.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Driversmatter said:

.gov website doesn t stipulate a weight limit.

I've been looking too, as you've sowed a seed of doubt with me! Everything I've read refers to pickups under 2040kg (of which there can't be many!)

I'll keep looking

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Following the link up above:

Dual purpose vehicles

A dual purpose vehicle is a vehicle constructed or adapted for the carriage both of passengers and of goods and designed to weigh no more than 2,040 kg when unladen

I believe that's the legislation that refers to pickups?

[standards]

FiF said:

Pica-Pica said:

Also bear in mind a 'car-derived van' is exactly that - a car with the rear sides windows replaced by metal. It is not, for instance, a van built on the same chassis platform as a car (such as Ford Transit Courier which was/is built on the same platform as the Ford Focus/Puma car). Someone I know ended up on a Speed Awareness Course because they believed that. Personally, I believe there should not be that distinction.

ETA: cue a discussion on Dual v Single Carriageways and rolling tennis balls.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Wednesday 21st January 17:07

Also don't forget that in the car derived van scenario there are times when the answer depends on who you ask.

Also there have been such things as van derived cars where at some point marketing have suggested that a product line which hitherto has been a van gets a second row of seats and some windows. Again someone I know ended up on a SAC because they thought it was now a dual purpose vehicle so qualified car limits. It complied in all measurements except for the obscured rear windows for security.

From memory the legislation on van DPVs requires them to have a set amount of glass behind the driver and passenger and even more glass on the rear. Nor or. Can’t imagine a camera would capture that if altered after purchase-rather keen officer perhaps.

[Jonnny]

Does this only apply to plod with a gun, or does a speed camera/average camera know what you're driving?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Jonnny said:

Does this only apply to plod with a gun, or does a speed camera/average camera know what you're driving?

I've always puzzled over that. For sure the registration details held by DVLA know. Do they link up to average speed cameras? Judging by the Transits that whizz by me on the A1 near Grantham I'd think not!

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

So, OP, for vans it's simple...

...for pickups not so much

[OutInTheShed]

When I had a proper sportsbike, most things which overtook me were vans.

[FiF]

standards said:

FiF said:

Pica-Pica said:

Also bear in mind a 'car-derived van' is exactly that - a car with the rear sides windows replaced by metal. It is not, for instance, a van built on the same chassis platform as a car (such as Ford Transit Courier which was/is built on the same platform as the Ford Focus/Puma car). Someone I know ended up on a Speed Awareness Course because they believed that. Personally, I believe there should not be that distinction.

ETA: cue a discussion on Dual v Single Carriageways and rolling tennis balls.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Wednesday 21st January 17:07

Also don't forget that in the car derived van scenario there are times when the answer depends on who you ask.

Also there have been such things as van derived cars where at some point marketing have suggested that a product line which hitherto has been a van gets a second row of seats and some windows. Again someone I know ended up on a SAC because they thought it was now a dual purpose vehicle so qualified car limits. It complied in all measurements except for the obscured rear windows for security.

From memory the legislation on van DPVs requires them to have a set amount of glass behind the driver and passenger and even more glass on the rear. Nor or. Can t imagine a camera would capture that if altered after purchase-rather keen officer perhaps.

Who said it was a camera.

As someone said these days the V5C declares vehicle type though isn't the case for older vehicles and not much help to a driver who is not the owner so never sees the v5C.

Also on car derived vans issue have seen the argument that a vehicle which to all intents and purposes visually ie silhouette etc meets the definition of a cdv fails to do so because of a different track width to the car.

Whatever it's a complete dog's breakfast, needs sorting but in reality country has bigger problems than this to sort.