Maximum legal speed in a van

[Pica-Pica]

M1, M2, N1, N2 etc, are UN-ECE classifications, designed to create conformity of classification across the EU. Those classifications are not a definitive definition in respect of individual countries vehicle definitions and speed limits.

I have said before, it is an absolute pig’s breakfast, and needs simplifying, essentially by gross vehicle mass, IMHO.

[Sheepshanks]

Tyre Smoke said:

No. Loads of people thought that on a speed awareness course I did a few years ago too.

Probably why they were there.

There was a 'pro' van driver on the course my daughter was on who had no idea different limits applied to vans.

[anonymous-user]

scorcher said:

Don’t be silly. It’s all in the name safety. If it saves just one life it will all be worth it

Hmmm, how do you explain the anomaly that my friend has run into when converting his VW Transporter into a camper van. He started with a commercial base T5 Combi van with side/rear windows (approx 2,100kg) and then added roughly another 700kg of steel framed bed, cupboards, cooker/sink, insulation, carpet etc. Re-registered it with the DVLA as a 'camper' and despite another 700kg of weight added, the speed limit goes up! Brakes, suspension and structural integrity remain the same as the original van. Madness!

[SS2.]

Gareth79 said:

AFAIK the speed limits are based on whether a vehicle meets certain requirements in law, not what it is registered as?

Exactly that.

Take Nigel's Caddy as an example - too heavy to qualify as a CDV, but recorded as a CDV on the V5/C.

[Pica-Pica]

Sheepshanks said:

Tyre Smoke said:

No. Loads of people thought that on a speed awareness course I did a few years ago too.

Probably why they were there.

There was a 'pro' van driver on the course my daughter was on who had no idea different limits applied to vans.

No surprise there, however I do often meet ‘Transit’ vans doing the lower speed. Frustrating, because you cannot see past to see if a small car is directly in front. Many small vans (not CDV) have their speed limit on the back, presumably to let frustrated drivers behind why they are travelling at 50 in a 60 (single carriageway) zone. I presume they also have it in the cab, too. I think that limit is ridiculous as it encourages cars to sometimes make risky overtakes. 60 for small vans on a dual carriageway is OK, as most, but not all, dual carriageways are two or more lanes, so overtaking is safer. As for motor homes being different to a same-size van, that is ridiculous.

[V8RX7]

Sheepshanks said:

There was a 'pro' van driver on the course my daughter was on who had no idea different limits applied to vans.

I drove a van for years before I knew about it - when a mate (who generally drives slowly) was warned by the Police for 70 on the Mway in his pick up.

[bigdog3]

V8RX7 said:

I drove a van for years before I knew about it - when a mate (who generally drives slowly) was warned by the Police for 70 on the Mway in his pick up.

Driving a pick-up or van at 70 mph on Motorways is perfectly legal

[bigdog3]

[V8RX7]

bigdog3 said:

V8RX7 said:

I drove a van for years before I knew about it - when a mate (who generally drives slowly) was warned by the Police for 70 on the Mway in his pick up.

Driving a pick-up or van at 70 mph on Motorways is perfectly legal

Brain fart - dual carriageway

[bigdog3]

V8RX7 said:

Brain fart - dual carriageway

Pick-ups weighing under 2040kg unladen can be dual-purpose vehicles which are permitted to do 70mph on dual-carriageways.

Go 1kg over 2040kg, and you're stuck at 60mph.

Not sure how this rule applies to single-cab pick-ups (just 2 seats) under 2040kg unladen?

[blank]

Pica-Pica said:

M1, M2, N1, N2 etc, are UN-ECE classifications, designed to create conformity of classification across the EU. Those classifications are not a definitive definition in respect of individual countries vehicle definitions and speed limits.

While the classifications don't help with N1 car derived vans or dual purpose vehicles, I would argue that it DOES help with 9 seater Vivaros, Transporters etc. Because if they are approved/registered as an M1, then they are categorically NOT a goods vehicle.

Unless there are any examples of people getting caught in 9 seat M1 people carriers?

I would say that if your vehicle is M1 you have nothing to worry about and can follow passenger car speed limits.

If it's N1, that's when you need to look into Dual Purpose and Car Derived definitions.

[V8RX7]

bigdog3 said:

V8RX7 said:

Brain fart - dual carriageway

Pick-ups weighing under 2040kg unladen can be dual-purpose vehicles which are permitted to do 70mph on dual-carriageways.

Go 1kg over 2040kg, and you're stuck at 60mph.

Not sure how this rule applies to single-cab pick-ups (just 2 seats) under 2040kg unladen?

Single cab non car derived are van limits - he was in his Brava (it was a long time ago)

[bigdog3]

Driving a 7.5 tonne truck at 70mph on motorways is perfectly legal too, except all modern trucks are stuck against their 56mph limiters dictated by the EU

[bigdog3]

V8RX7 said:

Single cab non car derived are van limits - he was in his Brava (it was a long time ago)

So it's not a dual-purpose vehicle even if 4wd with unladen weight under 2040kg? Is the clue in the term passenger or passengers?

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, and is either:

Constructed or adapted so that the driving power of the engine is, or can be selected to be, transmitted to all wheels of the vehicle

Or permanently fitted with a rigid roof, at least one row of transverse passenger seats to the rear of the driver’s seat and will have side and rear windows - there must also be a minimum ratio between the size of passenger and stowage areas

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/car-der...

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

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

bigdog3 said:

What about if the dual carriageway is signed at 70 MPH (rather than national speed limit)

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

bigdog3 said:

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

If you click on that link the heading is national speed limits. So, (I ask again ) if a dual carriageway has a 70 mph roundel can vans do 70? (If not, why put up a 70mph speed limit sign?)

[vonhosen]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

bigdog3 said:

What about if the dual carriageway is signed at 70 MPH (rather than national speed limit)

[Johnnytheboy]

vonhosen said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

bigdog3 said:

What about if the dual carriageway is signed at 70 MPH (rather than national speed limit)

Someone put a window in the van and really clear things up

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

vonhosen said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

bigdog3 said:

What about if the dual carriageway is signed at 70 MPH (rather than national speed limit)

Why the rolleyes? Logic would say (I know it's not safe to apply logic ) that a dual carriageway that's not NSL might be 70 for a van?

Why else have a 70mph sign?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

vonhosen said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

bigdog3 said:

What about if the dual carriageway is signed at 70 MPH (rather than national speed limit)

Why the rolleyes? Logic would say (I know it's not safe to apply logic ) that a dual carriageway that's not NSL might be 70 for a van?

Why else have a 70mph sign?

According to Wikipedia (!?!!) I am correct. A van can indeed do 70 on a dual carriageway if it's signed 70 rather than NSL!