What's the difference between a van and a goods vehicle?

AdrianC

Knightsuntold wrote: »

That's what I've been looking at, but the page goes on to say... "Vans, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles

Most vans under 7.5 tonnes laden (loaded) weight, including Ford Transit vans:

have a lower speed limit than cars
must follow the speed limits for goods vehicles of the same weight"

I fail to see the "but".

Iceweasel

Knightsuntold wrote: »

LOL! Yes, I know the difference. He was done for doing 70 on a 70 stretch of dual carriageway.

You are looking at this in the wrong way - many people do - usually those who still talk of lane 3 as 'the fast lane' and then excuse themselves with "Oh, but you know what I mean."

Every road has several limits - there is no single answer for example to "What is the speed limit on a motorway?" More details are needed.

People seem to think that the speed limit for a car describes the road.

There is no such thing as 'a 70 stretch of dual carriageway'

Ask an HGV driver - or a tractor driver.

Most folks don't know the speed limit for other vehicles - especially farm tractors - but they should do.

forgotmyname

If you think the speed limits are mad then think back a few years..

A truck was limited to 56mph, but add some windows and some seats and stick 50 children in it and it was called a coach that could do 70mph and was allowed in the outside lane. That was mad.

Knightsuntold

AdrianC wrote: »

I fail to see the "but".

Sorry - it was my mistake. I was totally knackered when I was reading the guidance, and I read it as though there was a difference between a van and a light goods vehicle. Once I'd got hold of the wrong end of the stick, I had a right nightmare letting going of it!

I've got it straight now... I think!

Knightsuntold

Iceweasel wrote: »

You are looking at this in the wrong way - many people do - usually those who still talk of lane 3 as 'the fast lane' and then excuse themselves with "Oh, but you know what I mean."

Every road has several limits - there is no single answer for example to "What is the speed limit on a motorway?" More details are needed.

People seem to think that the speed limit for a car describes the road.

There is no such thing as 'a 70 stretch of dual carriageway'

Ask an HGV driver - or a tractor driver.

Most folks don't know the speed limit for other vehicles - especially farm tractors - but they should do.

I'm one of the good ones and use the phrase 'outside lane'.

Yes, I know what you're saying, and you're right, every stretch of road does have several limits, which take precedence, but I just wanted to know the difference between the van and the car, to make sure I minimise the chance of me making a mistake.

I thought exactly the same about the limit on the dual carriageway, and I just thought that he'd got it wrong, but the Gov UK guidance shows a section for 70 mph dual carriageway.

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits

Herzlos

Your limit is the lower of that table or the posted signs.

If it's a dual carriage way that says 70, and you're in a van, the limit is 60 (from the table).
If it's a dual carriage way that says 50, and you're in a van, the limit is 50 (from the sign).

If it doubt, go for the lower value, it'll save you a bit in fuel too

Car derived vans essentialy don't exist now - they are all too heavy.

Knightsuntold

forgotmyname wrote: »

If you think the speed limits are mad then think back a few years..

A truck was limited to 56mph, but add some windows and some seats and stick 50 children in it and it was called a coach that could do 70mph and was allowed in the outside lane. That was mad.

Agree 100%. I still think it's a bit barking that motorhomes have the same limits as cars, and not vans.

Knightsuntold

Herzlos wrote: »

Your limit is the lower of that table or the posted signs.

If it's a dual carriage way that says 70, and you're in a van, the limit is 60 (from the table).
If it's a dual carriage way that says 50, and you're in a van, the limit is 50 (from the sign).

If it doubt, go for the lower value, it'll save you a bit in fuel too

Car derived vans essentialy don't exist now - they are all too heavy.

Thank you - that's a good way of remembering it. I'm not usually that thick, but once I'd read the guidance in the wrong way, that was that! Totally different when I read it with fresh eyes the next day.