A speed question rarely depends on the road name alone. Read the road type, the sign, the driver's status, precipitation and visibility, then use the condition that sets the lowest applicable ceiling.
Use a fixed order of checks
Start with an explicit lawful sign or zone. A competent local authority can sign a selected undivided two-way section at 90 km/h even though the usual national ceiling for that road type is 80 km/h. It can also impose a lower limit. Next identify the general road category. In dry weather with normal visibility, an ordinary car uses 130 km/h as the general motorway ceiling outside a built-up area, 110 km/h on a road with separated carriageways, and the applicable 90 or 80 km/h rule on other roads. Use each figure as a ceiling, then compare it with any stronger condition stated in the question.
| Condition | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Rain on a motorway normally limited to 130 km/h | Reduce the ceiling to 110 km/h. |
| Learner or probationary driver on a divided 110 km/h road | Use the 100 km/h driver-class ceiling. |
| Visibility below 50 metres | Use 50 km/h on every kind of road. |
| Signed zone 30 | Keep to 30 km/h throughout the signed zone. |
| Signed meeting zone | Use 20 km/h and give pedestrians priority. |
After the road baseline, apply driver class and weather. A learner or probationary driver uses 110 km/h on a motorway that would normally allow 130, 100 km/h on other motorway sections and divided roads, 80 km/h on other roads and 50 km/h in built-up areas. Rain reduces a normally 130 km/h motorway to 110 km/h, lower-limit motorway sections and divided roads to 100 km/h, and the other roads covered by the general rule to 80 km/h. Severe visibility is simpler and stronger: below 50 metres, no road retains a ceiling above 50 km/h. Finally, keep low-speed urban zones distinct. A zone 30 carries its limit through the signed area; a meeting zone uses 20 km/h and changes pedestrian priority as well as speed.
Common confusions
- Keeping the dry motorway ceiling after rain begins. Precipitation activates a lower national maximum.
- Treating 80 km/h as unchangeable on every undivided two-way road. A lawfully designated section can be signed at 90 km/h.
- Giving a probationary driver the ordinary 110 km/h ceiling on a divided road. Driver status lowers it to 100 km/h.
- Merging zone 30 and a meeting zone into one rule. They differ in both speed and the priority given to pedestrians.
Try it
Dense fog reduces visibility to 40 metres on a motorway. Enter the national maximum speed in km/h.
In dry weather and normal visibility, an ordinary car driver enters an unsigned motorway section outside a built-up area. Enter the general maximum in km/h.