Wales changed the default speed limit on restricted roads from 30 mph to 20 mph on 17 September 2023, under the Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022, made on 13 July 2022. These are mostly roads in residential and built-up places, typically with street lights spaced no more than 200 yards apart. Highway authorities can keep some roads at 30 mph, and the Welsh Government says not every 30 mph road changed.
Key facts
- What Default limit on restricted roads in Wales cut to 20 mph
- From 17 September 2023
- Law Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022
- Rest of GB Default stays 30 mph
How the Highway Code shows it
The Highway Code now gives two figures. Rule 124 says a limit of 30 mph, or 20 mph in Wales, generally applies to roads with street lights, other than motorways, unless signs say otherwise, and the national speed limits table has a separate row for built-up areas in Wales. The rule on using headlights at night on lit roads uses the same wording. On 17 September 2023 the 2022 Order was added to the list of laws in Annex 4 of the code.
Signs to watch for
The Welsh Government says that because 20 mph is now the default, there are no repeater signs on these roads. Signs at the start of a different limit still show where it changes. In England and Scotland the default on restricted roads remains 30 mph.
What this means
If you take your theory test in Wales or anywhere in Great Britain, learn the speed limit table with the Wales row, and remember that the default depends on the country. A question on the limit in a street-lit area may give 20 mph as the answer for Wales and 30 mph elsewhere. Check the current rule 124 and the Welsh Government guidance.