A speed limit is the limit of speed allowed by law for road vehicles, usually the maximum speed allowed. Occasionally, there is a minimum speed limit. Advisory speed limits also exist, which are recommended but not mandatory speeds. Speed limits are commonly set by the legislative bodies of national or local governments.
Overview The following tables show various jurisdictions' default speed limits (where applicable) that apply to different types of vehicles travelling on three different types of road. Actual speed limits may range beyond these values. The enforcement tolerance is specified in km/h or percentage above the stated limit.
Germany is the only country where some motorways do not have a maximum speed limit. The 130 km/h is sign-posted as a general advisory speed limit for motorways in the entry of the country. Due to those Autobahns, Germany is considered a country without a general speed limit on its highways. The Isle of Man is the only jurisdiction without a general speed limit on rural two-lane roads.
The fastest speed limit posted in the countries with a numerical maximum speed limit is 160 km/h, found on two highways in the United Arab Emirates, including the E11 Road (Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed International Road), specifically the stretch from Ghuwaifat Border with Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi, and the E22 Road (Al Ain Road) between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
Definitions Numerous countries have a different general speed limit for urban roads than on remaining roads. Such differences exist since the beginning of the 20th century, in countries such as United Kingdom and France. This concept is formally defined as road within built-up area in various regulations, including the Vienna Convention, even if the UK has re-branded them as street lighted or restricted areas. More informally they are known as urban roads. In 2017, most of all IRTAD countries have a default speed limit in urban roads of 50 km/h, with various lower speeds, for instance, in the Netherlands, 70% of the urban roads are limited to 30 km/h.
Some countries, for instance the US, India or China, do not have a specific urban road maximum speed.
Different speed limits exist for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) but the limits for HGVs are country dependent: while most Eurasian and American countries might use the Vienna Convention's 3.5-tonne limit, other countries in North America, China, India, Australia or Ireland might use different weight limits.
Countries (Speed limits are indicated in kilometers per hour (km/h), except as noted.)
CountryWithin townsControlled-access highway/ motorway/freeway/expresswayInterurban roads outside built-up areas/regional highwaysAutomobiles & motorcyclesLorries or automobiles with trailerEnforcement tolerance40Expressways: 90; Motorways: 110 (130 on the A1);8080–9060–7010 km/h50N/A909090 (automobiles)N/A40–60100–1308080–1108010 km/h40–60100-110Default speed limits in Australia vary between states and territories. See Speed limits in Australia for more details.100-130100–110100 Varies by state/territory50100 - expressways 130 - motorways10010070/803 km/h up to 100 km/h; 3% above40–6011090Up to 10 km/h40808080 (Automobiles) 50 (Motorcycles)501050100–1209080701060120 ( 90)909070 (90 on motorways)10 km/h20–5090–1209070 (Flemish Region)70–9070–906 km/h up to 100 km/h, 6% over30N/A50 (light vehicles and 2-wheelers)35 (medium and heavy vehicles)50N/AN/A50130 (motorways)100 (expressways)80808010 km/h60120 (80 for heavy vehicles, vehicles with a trailer and buses)808080N/A30–80In Brazil, speed limits in urban areas vary according to the functional classification of the road, as follows: Local roads – 30 km/h; Collector roads – 40 km/h; Arterial roads – 60 km/h; High-speed roads – 80 km/h.Local authorities may increase or decrease the national default speeds by 10 km/h.110The national default speed limit for dual carriageway roads in rural areas is 110 km/h. Local authorities, however, may set speeds as low as 90 km/h or as high as 120 km/h.60 (unpaved)100 (paved)Since 2016, the national default speed limit for paved single carriageway roads in rural areas has been 100 km/h. Local authorities, however, may set speeds as low as 80 km/h or as high as 110 km/h.For unpaved roads, they may increase or decrease the national default speeds by 10 km/h.120The highest possible speed in the country, found only on a few highways.90Until 2016, there was a distinction between buses and other heavy goods vehicles, with the latter having a national default speed limit of 80 km/h. Local authorities may still set speed limits as low as 80 km/h for heavy vehicles on dual carriageway roads, 70 km/h on single carriageway roads, and between 40 km/h and 70 km/h on unpaved roads.7 km/h up to 100 km/h, 7% over, rounded to the nearest integer5010080808010 km/h50120 - expressways 140 ( 100) - motorways9090 ( 80)8010 km/h30–50100–12060–100depends on provinceOfficially 0 (fines specified for 10 km/h over in AlbertaPart 32 of Procedures Regulation, Alta Reg 63/2017), unofficially 20%–40% depending on officer30–50120 (automobiles & motorcycle)100 (interurban bus only)90909010 km/h30–60100–1208060–8080–100 10% of speed limit—50100–1107050–8050–7010 km/h—20–6060–80N/A50–80N/A10 km/h30-50120 (roads with two or more lanes without pedestrian crossings) 90 (everyone else)90 (Private vehicles) 80 (Public service vehicles)90805 km/h4580–10080606010 km/h50130 (motorways)110 (expressways)80908010 km/h up to 100 km/h; 10% over30–50100100808010 km/h50150 (D3 between Tábor and České Budějovice)The section uses variable speed limit signs which allow 150 only under favorable conditions.130 (motorways in general)110—130 (roads for motor vehicles)80 (urban roads for motor vehicles & motorways)9090803 km/h up to 100 km/h; 3% over50130 80 for trucks. 100 for buses, 80 for buses with trailers*. 130 for cars, 80 for cars with trailers* (*unless trailer is equipped with a tempo 100 sign. In this case the limit is 100.).80808010 km/h up to 100 km/h; 10% over (Only for lasers and cameras)—508010 km/h—40–6050110–12090–10090–1209010 km/h60100–1209090–120 (for automobiles)90–100 (for motorcycles)60–70 (for trucks)80–100 (for buses)20 km/h5080–120During winter motorways have a speed limit of 100 km/h or less. Also most roads with 100 km/h speed limit in summer have 80 km/h limit during winter.80808010 km/h—5070–9010 km/h50110 (100 in rain) (expressways)130 (110 in rain) (motorways)80–9080–9060Speed limit is 60 km/h for trailers on 2-lane non-priority roads.–905 km/h up to 100 km/h, 5% above 100 km/h for fixed cameras; doubled for mobile radars60 (20 in residential areas)1108090701050No limit (130 recommended).Some sections of the Autobahn are covered by permanent or temporary speed limits, ranging from 80 to 130 km/h. It is usual for drivers involved in crashes who were exceeding the 'recommended' speed limit to be held to be at least partly at fault, regardless of the circumstances of the crash, and insurance companies have the right to withhold payment. Vehicles also must be able to go faster than 60 km/h.100–No limit (130 recommended) Default limit of 100 applies on any roadway with one lane in each direction, while unlimited speeds (130 recommend) are default on any roadway with 2 or more lanes in each direction. Despite this, the latter cases are uncommon and usually are posted with limits of 100-120. 10060 (trucks over 7,5 t expect Autobahns), 80 (trucks over 3,5 t),80-100 (certified trailers and coaches)Additional trailer checkup (TÜV) and special speed plaque required on vehicle.3 km/h up to 100 km/h, 3% over; differs for different speeding control methods50110 (expressways) 130 (motorways)8090701050 (in general)30 (residential areas)60–70 (main roads)110 (expressways)130 (motorways)9090–11070 on rural roads and expressways. 80 on motorways15 km/h up to (and including) 100 km/h; 20 km/h over5090Route 41 is controlled-access with middle barrier outside built-up area, but still 90 km/h9090 (paved roads) / 80 (gravel roads)Driving safely in Iceland English-language website by Vegagerðin, Icelandic road authority, retrieved 11 th of March 2022801050up to 120, often lower6080652040–6080–1008050–8060–8010% of speed limit within towns20% of speed limit in toll roads.5070–12070–11070–11070–11020 km/h30–5012080 (default but up to 100 where stated)80Trucks 90 Trailers 80Not defined.50100–1209080–908020 km/h50130 (110 in adverse weather) (motorways)110 (expressways)9090705 km/h up to 100 km/h; 5% above 100 km/h5080–1108030 (statutory, residential)60 (statutory)80–120 (national expressways)70–80 (single-lane expressways)6030 (~50cc)100–12080 (trailers)90 (trucks)14 km/h with very few exceptions60 or less1208080–12080–10020 km/h60 (up to 90 on special roads, 50 for busses and 20 in residential zones)110 – expressways 140 – motorways10011090–110 (trucks) 70–90 (busses)20 km/h30–6080–1208080–9040–6015 km/h5090–12080–9080–908010 km/h5010020 km/h50N/AN/A808010 km/h50110–1309070–9070–9010 km/h50130 (110 in rain)9090753 km/h below 100 km/h; 3% above 100 km/h5012080–1001030–6090–11070–9070–90The speed limit on Malaysian federal and state roads has been reduced to 80 km/h during festive seasons, starting from the 2006 Hari Raya Aidilfitri.70–8080–90 (in expressway)1030–5080601020–50100–11080–9570–9080–952050No such highways90 (110 in certain areas only)90–11070950 (30–70 on some sections of the roads)N/AN/AN/AN/A40–6012010010085–9010% up to 70 km/h, 7 km/hMaximumsnelheden op auto(snel)wegen in Nederland Rijkswaterstaat50 (30 in residential areas, ca. 70% of urban streets (2008)30km/uur-gebieden SWOV, May 2018)130 (motorway default)100–120 (congested motorways, generally)130 km/h is the default, but on substantial sections the limit is 120 km/h or 100 km/h in densely populated regions or natural areas or 80 km/h on major city ring roads. A 100 km/h speed limit applies between 6:00 and 19:00 as of 1 March 2020 on some motorways with a higher speed limit, but many were removed in rural areas in 2025. 100 (expressways)808080Cars or vans pulling a trailer with a total weight of less than 3.5 metric tons with the trailer weighing less than 750 kg are allowed to drive 90 km/h, except where a lower speed limit applies.Buses have a speed limit of 80 km/h but T100-buses that have no standing places and in which all seats are equipped with seat belts have a speed limit of 100 km/h, except where a lower speed limit applies.3 km/h up to 100 km/h; 3% above 100 km/h30–50100–11060–100100 (30–90 when towing, depending on vehicle)90 (80 school buses)10 (school zones, 10)40—70 (in certain areas as low as 5)80—120N/AN/AN/AN/A50100–1108080801040100–12010050–801001030–5080–100100 (90 buses)60–10070–801520–6010040–8040–8030–502050 (20 in residential areas)100 (single-carriageway expressways)120 (dual-carriageway expressways)140 (motorways)100 (dual-carriageway with at least 2 lanes per direction) 90 (other roads)90 (up to 140)80 (motorways, expressways, dual-carriageways with at least 2 lanes per direction) 70 (other roads outside built-up areas)10In theory there is the tolerance up to , however recently the index of fines for excessive speed has been updated and according to the current Polish law acts, driving between 1 and 10 kph above the speed limit may result in 50 PLN and 1 penalty point fine.501209090–10070–801050 (in certain areas as low as 25)130 (motorways)120 (expressways)80 (expressways in mountainous areas)90 (100 on highways designated as European Roads)90–10070–901060 (20 in residential areas)110–130909070–902050N/A7070N/AN/A120–14080 (Trucks)