SP10 — Exceeding Goods Vehicle Speed Limits

Vans are limited to lower speeds than cars on most roads — many SP10s catch drivers who never knew.

SP10 is the code for exceeding the speed limits that apply specifically to goods vehicles. It catches a lot of van drivers out: most vans over 2 tonnes are limited to 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways — 10mph below the car limits — even when no signs say so.

The penalty structure mirrors ordinary speeding: £100 and 3 points at fixed-penalty level, more at court. Because the applicable limit depends on the vehicle’s classification and weight, SP10s are also one of the codes where the prosecution occasionally gets the limit itself wrong — worth checking before you accept.

The van speed limits most drivers miss

  1. Single carriageway: 50mph for most goods vehicles up to 7.5t (60mph for cars).
  2. Dual carriageway: 60mph for goods vehicles up to 7.5t (70mph for cars).
  3. Motorway: 70mph up to 7.5t; heavier vehicles are limited to 60mph.
  4. Car-derived vans and some dual-purpose vehicles follow car limits — classification matters.
  5. Fixed penalty £100 + 3 points; court fines are means-tested with 3–6 points.

My van was doing 56 in a 60 zone — how is that speeding?

Because the posted limit is the car limit. A goods vehicle over 2 tonnes on a single carriageway is limited to 50mph regardless of the signs, so 56 is an offence. Whether your vehicle is truly in that class is exactly what’s worth verifying.

Is my vehicle a car-derived van?

Car-derived vans (under 2 tonnes, built on a car platform) follow car speed limits. The V5C body type and revenue weight decide it — if your ticket assumed the wrong class, the alleged limit may be wrong too.

Do SP10 points affect my employment as a driver?

They can — many operators and insurers set points thresholds for professional drivers. That makes checking the ticket for procedural errors before accepting it more valuable, not less.

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