Motorway speed limits UKCampsite.co.uk Caravanning and Camping Abroad Forum Messages

I have had a reply now from the Caravan Club and this seems to be the definitive answer unless anybody says different?

You still need to read it very carefully but the Example for the CRV (which is what I drive) confirms what has been said by some above but misinterpreted by others, that the weight of the caravan means nothing, it's the train weight of the towing vehicle that matters whether it tows a tiny camping trailer or a huge twin axle caravan.

Speed limits

This information is prepared by the Caravan Club as part of its services to members. The contents are believed to be correct at the date of publication. Members should only use the information as a guide, and take note of any local limits.

Speed limit information is broken down into:

Car solo and car towing caravan/trailer information (below)
Motorhome information

This information is also available as a download
Speed limits

Country	Car solo				Car towing caravan/trailer
	Motorways		Other roads		Motorways		Other roads
	mph	kph	mph	kph	mph	kph	mph	kph
Austria	81	130	62	100	62 *	100 *	50 *	80*
Belgium	74	120	56	90	74	120	56	90
Croatia	81	130	56-68	90-110	56	90	50	80
Czech Republic	81	130	56	90	50	80	50	80
Denmark	68-81	110-130	50-56	80-90	50	80	44	70
France	81 ++	130 ++	56-68 ++	90-110 ++	See information on next page
Germany	81	130	62	100	50 **	80 **	50	80
Hungary	81	130	56-68	90-110	50	80	44	70
Ireland	74	120	37-62	60-100	50	80	37-50	60-80
Italy	81	130	56-68	90-110	50	80	44	70
Luxembourg	81	130	56	90	56	90	47	75
Netherlands	74 +	120+	50-56	80-90	56*	90*	50-56*	80-90*
Norway	56-68	90-100	50	80	50	80	50	80
Portugal	74	120	56-62	90-100	62	100	44-50	70-80
Slovenia	81	130	56-62	90-100	50	80	50	80
Spain	74	120	56-62	90-100	50	80	44-50	70-80
Sweden ***	56-74	90-120	44-62	70-100	50	80	44-50	70-80
Switzerland	74	120	50-62	80-100	50	80	50 ****	80 ****

Speed limits when towing a caravan/trailer in France

	Motorways		Other Roads
Gross train mass of car/vehicle:	mph	kph	mph	kph
- under 3.5t	81++	130++	56-68++	90-110++
- over 3.5t	56	90	50-56	80-90

Notes

*If the combined weight of the car and caravan is over 3.5t then the speed limit is the same as a motor caravan over 3.5t

**There is an option to drive at 100kph if your car and caravan passes a TUV test in Germany. The test costs approximately €70 and takes two hours to complete.

***Speed limits in Sweden are determined by the quality and safety of the road, so speed limits vary. Speed limit signs are numerous, if in doubt drive at the lowest limit.

**** If the caravan/trailer weights over 1000 kg speed limit reduces to 37mph / 60kph

+ A new speed limit of 81mph/130kph is being tested on certain motorway sections (which will be signposted) from March 2011.

++ In adverse weather conditions or rain these limits reduce to 110kph and
80-100kph

Working out gross train mass

To work out the gross train mass of your car/vehicle, you need to add the fully laden weight of your car to your car's towing limit:

Example

Honda CR-V 2.2 i-CTDI SE
Gross vehicle weight -2160kg
Towing limit - 2000kg
Gross train mass - 4160kg

If you tow any trailer/caravan behind this car you will need to tow at the lower speed limit regardless of how much your caravan/trailer weighs.
If the Honda is towing a caravan weighing 1000kg (total weight of 3160kg) the lower speed limit will still apply, because the gross train mass is over 3500kg.

It has been confirmed that cars towing caravans and trailers are not listed in the original legislation which requires vehicles to display speed stickers (80kph and 90kph), so there is no legal requirement to display them.

However, from a safety point of view members may still like to consider attaching them as it alerts drivers behind you that you are limited to a lower speed limit, as although speed stickers are not required, the above speed limits do apply. Speed stickers can be purchased from www.speedstickers.co.uk telephone: 0800 988 7329.

General Advice and information

In most towns, villages, and built up areas there is a speed limit of 30mph/50kph, however, in some areas, near schools for example, this limit can drop to 18mph/30kph, and these lower limits will normally be signed posted.

In some European countries when you drive through a town or village the speed limit is not necessarily sign posted, instead the village name will be displayed on a rectangular sign with a red border as you enter the village, when you exit you will see a similar sign with black border and a red diagonal line through it, you are required to drive at 30mph in-between the two signs.

In nearly all European countries it is illegal to use car navigation systems which actively search for mobile speed cameras or interfere with police equipment (laser or radar detection). Car navigation systems which give a warning of fixed speed camera locations are legal in most countries with the exception of France, Germany and Switzerland where this function must be de-activated.

Message Forums

Speed limits

Speed limits when towing a caravan/trailer in France

Working out gross train mass

General Advice and information