Campervan and motorhome speed limits in the UK

Whether driving a motorhome is entirely new to you or as familiar as the back of your own hand, refreshing your memory on the UK speed limits for motorhomes and campervans will ensure a safe drive on your next trip.

In this blog, we’ll go through the relevant speed limits you need to be aware of when driving a motorhome or campervan. But first, let’s look at some of the other factors that affect the speed limit you must follow, depending on your vehicle.

 

 

What factors impact the speed limits for motorhomes or campervans?

Three main factors dictate the speed limits you should follow in your motorhome or campervan:

1. The weight of your vehicle

The weight of your vehicle is the most important factor in determining the maximum speed at which you should be travelling. Your vehicle can then be split into one of two categories: under 3.05 tonnes or over 3.05 tonnes.

If the type of motorhome you have is over 3.05 tonnes (for example, Class A motorhomes usually are), it’s classed as a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) and must follow different speed limits.

Remember, the speed limits usually use the unladen weight of your vehicle, so don’t include the weight of any people or personal items you have on board. Other features you’ve attached to your motorhome permanently, such as roof or bike racks, should also be included in working out the weight.

The speed limits for motorhomes and campervans over 3.05 tonnes will be slightly lower on some roads due to the increased stopping distance required to keep yourself and other road users safe.

2. Whether you have a trailer

Attaching a trailer to your motorhome or campervan can affect your handling and stopping distance, especially at higher speeds. This is why the maximum speed limit for vehicles towing a trailer tends to be lower.

3. The length of your vehicle

Like with the weight of the vehicle, the length will also impact the time it takes you to stop. In a longer vehicle, your blind spots will likely cover a larger area, too, and therefore impact the maximum safe speed you can travel at.

 

Speed limits for motorhomes and campervans in the UK

The maximum speed limit for motorhomes and campervans can generally be split into four categories: built-up areas, single carriageways, dual carriageways, and motorways.

We'll take you through the speed limits for each road type based on your vehicle's weight, height, and whether you're towing a trailer, so you can see which one applies to you.

Under 3.05 tonnes in unladen weight (without a trailer)

• Built-up areas: 30mph
• Single carriageways: 60mph
• Dual carriageways: 70mph
• Motorways: 70mph

Over 3.05 tonnes in unladen weight (without a trailer)

• Built-up areas: 30mph
• Single carriageways: 50mph
• Dual carriageways: 60mph
• Motorways: 70mph

Over 3.05 tonnes and more than 12 metres in length (with or without a trailer)

• Built-up areas: 30mph
• Single carriageways: 50mph
• Dual carriageways: 60mph
• Motorways: 60mph

Motorhomes or campervans towing a trailer

• Built-up areas: 30mph
• Single carriageways: 50mph
• Dual carriageways: 60mph
• Motorways: 60mph

 

 

How to find out the weight of your motorhome or campervan

If you own a motorhome, you can find the unladen weight of your vehicle in several places, including:

• Your owner's manual
• A plate or sticker that's often found inside the driver's door or under the bonnet
• The Certificate of Conformity from the motorhome dealer

If you've tried all of the above and still can't find a figure, you can visit a public weighbridge and have your motorhome weighed there.

If you own a campervan, you can try the same steps above, unless it's a campervan that you've converted yourself. In this case, you'll need to use a public weighbridge to determine your campervan's weight.

 

Campervan and motorhome speed limits in Europe

Speed limits can vary greatly depending on the country you travel to in your motorhome or campervan. So, before driving to Europe, the best thing you can do is research the relevant speed limits for the country or countries you'll be travelling to.

Don't forget that European countries often use kilometres instead of miles per hour, so make sure you're looking at the right dial for your speed! Even if you're in a country with higher speed limits than the UK, it's still a good idea to stick to the lower UK speed limit to ensure proper control of your vehicle and maximise your stopping distance.

Driving at a sensible speed instead of having your foot constantly on the accelerator is also one of many eco-safe driving principles that can help you save fuel and protect the environment.

 

Speed limit FAQs

What does unladen weight mean?

The unladen weight of a vehicle refers to the weight of your motorhome or campervan without the following included:

• Passengers
• Belongings
• Fuel
• Any other items not permanently fixed onto your motorhome or campervan (such as kitchenware, bedding, and food)

This should leave the body of the vehicle, and any parts used to operate the vehicle while it’s in use on the road.

What happens if you get caught speeding?

If you’re caught speeding in your motorhome or campervan, you’ll be sent a letter which will require you to identify the driver of the vehicle at the time the offense was committed.

If you plead guilty to the offence, it’s likely you’ll have to pay a fine (usually around £100) and you’ll have three penalty points added to your licence. The consequences of speeding will vary depending on the severity of the offence.

What are the rules for overtaking in a motorhome or campervan?

You can overtake another car in your motorhome or campervan as long as it is safe to do so. The rules for overtaking are the same whether you are driving a motorhome, campervan, or a car, but there are a few considerations you need to make:

• Motorhomes and campervans have larger blind spots, so make sure you’re extra vigilant or install some motorhome reversing cameras to increase your visibility
• You’ll need more time and space to overtake safely, so check around you for other vehicles you may obstruct by doing so
• You may have lower speed limits to follow than the vehicle you’re overtaking, so ensure you won’t need to go over the speed limit to complete the manoeuvre

Are motorhomes allowed in the fast lane of a motorway?

Motorhomes can use any lane on a dual carriageway or motorway as long as the motorway has three lanes or less. On motorways with more than three lanes, motorhomes are not permitted to use the outside (or fast) lane.

 

 

Specialist motorhome and campervan insurance through Ripe

Before you take your motorhome or campervan out on the road, you may want to consider getting specialist motorhome and campervan insurance.

Specialist motorhome and campervan insurance through Ripe allows you to build your policy so you can tailor your cover to suit you and protect against things like theft, fire, flood, and accidental damage.

Find out more about specialist motorhome and campervan insurance through Ripe and get a free online quote today.