but 4 years for insurance purposes.

Valid for 3, on license for 4

Just been on a speed awareness course and can concur with funkymonkey and hairychested. #
I also learnt (yesterday) that the national speed limit is 60mph (always thought it was 50mph), unless there is a central barrier between you and oncoming traffic, the NSL then becomes 70mph.

I used to think this was common knowledge, but then when I tootle past people on derestricted sections of dual carriageway, I think a lot of people still think it is 60mph, as the average speed of other drivers is generally slower than motorways etc.

At the other end of the spectrum, some drivers seem to think that an overtaking lane is a 70mph derestricted area. The A9 is a good example of this, as people fly up and down the overtaking lanes.

Doh how long have you been driving about at 50 mumbling about the “speeding idiots”? 🙂

Similarly my missus, who has been driving for 18 years, was surprised to learn that “dual carriageway” doesn’t mean two-lanes. She’d been happily doing 70 on two-lane A roads all that time (and never got a ticket). 🙄

theotherjonv: 70 on a dual-carriageway, 60 on single.
See the rule 124 at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070304

There is no “single with a central barrier” as a barrier means it is dual.

“Dual carriageways
A dual carriageway is a road which has a central reservation to separate the carriageways.”
— http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070308

thanks!

I’ve learnt something today from brick. Always thought a dual carriageway had 2 lanes in each direction.

I miss read your post initially but thought I’d keep the picture up as it illustrates the point for people like me who miss read your point. That was the point.

It means the maximum speed you can legally do is 70 (I think, i’m assuming the grass counts as a central reservation) that doesn’t mean if you do 70 and hit something/someone you get away free, you can be under the limit and still be driving dangerously. I know plenty of derestricted roads that you’d have to be a grade A tool to do 60mph on.