Wales is the only UK nation with a default 20 mph limit, which has applied to restricted roads since September 2023 and took the share of Welsh roads at 20 mph from 2% to 37%. England, Scotland and Northern Ireland keep a 30 mph default on lit roads, with 20 mph limits set locally. In London, Transport for London plans to lower at least a further 65 km of its own roads by 2030.
| Area | Default on lit roads | 20 mph position |
|---|---|---|
| Wales | 20 mph | Default on restricted roads since September 2023; some roads signed 30 mph |
| England | 30 mph | Set locally by councils |
| London | 30 mph | TfL commitment to a 20 mph default in central and inner London; policy of two thirds of local authorities on most roads |
| Scotland | 30 mph | Roll-out on appropriate roads; about 86% of Edinburgh roads |
| Northern Ireland | 30 mph | Local limits, including 76 Belfast city centre streets and part-time limits at some schools |
What is the default speed limit in Wales?
The default speed limit in Wales is 20 mph on restricted roads, which are usually residential and built-up streets with street lights. It came in during September 2023, and it replaced the old 30 mph default. The Welsh Government says the change aims to reduce collisions and the severe injuries they cause, encourage more walking and cycling, and make streets safer.
Which roads in Wales are still 30 mph?
Some roads are still 30 mph, because councils can keep or return a road to that limit. Any change needs a traffic regulation order, which takes several months. The Welsh Government says the DataMapWales map shows which roads remain at 30 mph.
How do you know if a road in Wales is 20 mph?
If you see street lights and no signs saying otherwise, treat the road as 20 mph. Because 20 mph is the default, the Welsh Government says there will not be repeater signs, which are the smaller signs often found on street lights. Signs do tell you when you are entering a different limit.
Are Welsh trunk roads changing?
Yes, some are expected to change. The Welsh Government published its review of 20 mph and 30 mph limits on trunk roads in February 2026, and it covered 75 named road sections:
- 10 sections have proposed speed limit changes: 7 up to 30 mph and 3 down to 20 mph.
- 25 sections keep their limit, with other options to be explored.
- 40 sections have no changes or work proposed.
The legal process can take nine months, so the Welsh Government said limits may not change until early 2027. Until a new sign goes up, the current limit applies.
Has the 20 mph limit worked in Wales?
Early results show fewer collisions and casualties on Welsh 20 mph and 30 mph roads, although experts say it is still early days. The Welsh Government's latest figures, published on 29 October 2026 for April to June 2026, show these changes on 20 mph and 30 mph roads combined:
- Collisions were down 22% and casualties down 20% compared with the same quarter in 2025.
- Collisions were down 37% and casualties down 35% compared with the same period in 2023, before the default.
The government describes these as the lowest figures recorded in this way, excluding the Covid pandemic. Senedd Research compared Wales with its neighbours from the second quarter of 2023 to the end of 2024. All casualties on 20 and 30 mph roads fell by 23.8% in Wales, compared with 5.2% in England, while Scotland saw a rise of 3.1%.
These numbers come with fair caveats. Senedd Research notes that experts, including Transport for Wales, say at least three years of data are needed for a robust assessment. It also reports a rise in recorded serious casualties on faster Welsh roads, much of which appears to come from a change in how one police force records injuries. The Welsh Government plans a final evaluation report in 2029.
Where are the 20 mph limits in London?
London has 20 mph limits on much of its central road network and on most streets in many boroughs, although there is no single citywide default. Responsibility is split, which explains why the limit can change from one street to the next.
- TfL roads: the Transport for London Road Network makes up roughly 5% of London's roads, and it covers the most strategic routes. TfL has committed that 20 mph will be the default on this network in central and inner London.
- Borough roads: the remaining 95% are managed by local authorities, and TfL says it is the policy of two thirds of London's local authorities to apply a 20 mph limit to most of their roads.
Is all of central London 20 mph?
The first phase of TfL's programme covered its roads in the central London Congestion Charging Zone. TfL plans to lower the limit on at least a further 65 km of its network by 2030, making over 80 per cent of its roads in central and inner London 20 mph. Roads outside that area can be different, so follow the signs.
Is TfL lowering more speed limits?
Yes, and the next phase of works starts in early 2027 at seven locations on its network. Some roads will also go from 40 mph to 30 mph, such as a section of the A406 Gunnersbury Avenue.
Have 20 mph limits made London safer?
TfL's early figures are encouraging. In the first phase, it reports that collisions fell by 25% and collisions causing death or serious injury fell by 24%, comparing May 2020 to June 2022 with a similar earlier period. TfL cautions that the pandemic may have affected these trends.
Is 20 mph the default in England?
No, England has no national 20 mph default, so the default on lit roads stays at 30 mph unless signs show otherwise. Local authorities are responsible for setting appropriate limits in their areas, and GOV.UK gives 20 mph zones near schools as a typical example.
That means the answer can change from town to town. The Government's Road Safety Strategy of January 2026 says it will publish a new edition of its Setting Local Speed Limits guidance, and the published guidance page still shows its last update as March 2024. For now, the sign on your street is what counts. Our guide to the national speed limit in the UK explains how the defaults fit together.
Where does the 20 mph limit apply in Scotland?
Scotland keeps a 30 mph default on lit roads, and it is rolling out signed 20 mph limits on roads judged appropriate rather than changing the default. The national target was 20 mph on appropriate roads in built-up areas by the end of March 2026.
- Trunk roads: Local Transport Today reported in March 2026 that the target would be met on almost all trunk roads.
- Local roads: the same report said the target would not be met on local authority roads, with a large outstanding workload in Glasgow.
- How roads are chosen: Transport Scotland says the criteria were aligned to the Stockholm Declaration, for areas where vulnerable road users and vehicles mix in a frequent and planned manner.
Is Edinburgh 20 mph?
Most of it is. The City of Edinburgh Council says about 86% of its roads have a 20 mph limit, and it aims to raise that to around 88% after a committee decision on 13 November 2025. The council also says monitoring shows a 30% drop in road casualties on the 20 mph network.
Are there 20 mph limits in Northern Ireland?
Yes, but they are local, and nidirect gives 30 mph as the usual limit in built-up areas while noting that 20 mph limits are becoming more common. Here are the main places you will find them:
- Belfast city centre: a 20 mph limit applies to 76 streets, including the main pedestrian area and the Cathedral Quarter.
- Schools: part-time 20 mph limits apply outside some schools, and an order that took effect on 10 June 2026 added roads next to seven primary schools in Belfast, Lisburn and Moira.
The Department for Infrastructure also consulted on 20 mph limits in its 2026 speed limit review, which closed on 22 April 2026. Its response report of 12 August 2026 says the findings will inform its ongoing consideration of speed limit policy.
What is the difference between a 20 mph zone and a 20 mph limit?
A 20 mph zone requires traffic calming such as speed humps or chicanes, while a 20 mph limit is marked by signs alone. Department for Transport guidance explains the two side by side.
- 20 mph zone: marked by zone entry and end signs, and it has physical features to slow traffic.
- 20 mph limit: marked by terminal speed limit signs and repeater signs, and it does not require traffic calming.
For you as a driver, the rule is the same in both. Highway Code rule 124 says you must not exceed the maximum speed limit for the road, and rule 125 reminds you that the limit is a maximum, not a target.
Why does 20 mph make such a difference?
Partly because of how quickly you can stop. The Highway Code gives a typical stopping distance of 12 metres at 20 mph and 23 metres at 30 mph, nearly double, and our guide to Highway Code stopping distances shows the full chart.
What do 20 mph limits mean for your next drive?
Crossing into Wales, or heading into central London or Edinburgh, should be your cue to look for the limit rather than assume 30 mph. In Wales, street lights with no other sign mean 20 mph. Elsewhere, watch for the entry signs, and expect the limit to change between streets. Then settle in, because these are the roads where children, cyclists and people crossing are closest to you.
Ghost keeps your attention where it belongs. It warns you about known fixed speed cameras and average-speed zones about 700 m ahead and again at 250 m, with one tone and no voice, and runs in the background next to any navigation app. With CarPlay, Android Auto and Apple Watch support and more than 125,000 speed cameras worldwide, it travels with you from Cardiff to Camden and on to wherever you are going next.
