The different speed limits for vans and cars

Cars may be driven at up to 60 miles per hour (mph) on single carriageways
and up to 70 mph on dual carriageways. Vans may be driven at up to 50 mph on
single carriageways and up to 60 mph on dual carriageways. A dual carriageway
is a road that has a central reservation separating the carriageways.

Driving on a motorway

If you are driving a van on a motorway the speed limit is 70 mph, like cars, unless
you are towing a trailer. If you are towing a trailer the motorway speed limit is 60 mph.

Any vehicle towing a trailer is not allowed to use the outside lane where there are
three or more lanes in use in the same direction.

These long-standing national speed limits for vans are the same for all goods
vehicles that have a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of no more than 7,500 kilograms (kg)
.
Locally set speed limits

There are many stretches of road where there are lower, locally set,
speed limits in place. It is vital to keep within local speed limits and
also to reduce your vehicle speed according to the weather, road
and traffic conditions during your journey.

* 60 if towing a trailer

Vans that can travel at the same speed as cars

There is a small group of vans that can travel at up to the same national
speed limits as cars. These are car-derived vans that are goods vehicles
developed from a passenger vehicle and have a MAM of no more than 2,000 kg.

Examples of car-derived vans are vehicles built by the manufacturer
and based on the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Astra, Fiat Punto, Peugeot 207
and Renault Clio.

Excerpt from        http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverSafety/DG_178867

Andrea Holland female Driving instructor driving school in Thame, Oxford & Aylesbury 5, Albury view, Tiddington, Thame, Oxfordshire  OX9 2LY