It is common for drivers to not realise what the speed limit is, so here is a handy guide to help you figure it out in the absence of signs:

Roads with regular street lighting usually have a speed limit of 30mph unless it is indicated otherwise such as with a sign. If there’s no street lighting, but a 30mph limit is in place. 30mph repeater signs are used to remind drivers of the limit. Where there is street lighting, but a limit other than 30mph applies, repeater signs are also used to show the speed limit.

Where there’s no street lighting, the speed limit for cars and motorcycles is usually 60mph for single-carriageway roads and 70mph for dual-carriageway roads. This is known as the national speed limit. Single and dual carriageways are defined by the presence of a central reservation – those without are single carriageways.

Don’t treat the national speed limit as a target speed. You may drive up to this speed, if the conditions allow you to do so safely. You should take into account the time of day, the weather conditions and other drivers, and then drive at an appropriate speed.

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