Speed Limits

Overview

At a Glance: The default limit in NSW is 50 km/h in built-up areas and 100 km/h everywhere else. Learner and P1 drivers may never go above 90 km/h, and P2 drivers 100 km/h. School zones are 40 km/h, shared zones 10 km/h. Any speeding offence puts a learner or P1 driver over their demerit limit.

The DKT asks a lot of number-based speed questions. These are easy marks if you’ve memorised the table below. It also tests the idea that a speed limit is a maximum for good conditions, not a target.

Speed Limits at a Glance

Situation	Limit
Built-up area with no signs (street lights, buildings less than 100 m apart)	50 km/h
Outside built-up areas with no signs	100 km/h
School zone during operating times	40 km/h
Local traffic area	40 km/h
High pedestrian activity area	30 or 40 km/h (as signed)
Shared zone	10 km/h
Passing a bus with “40 when lights flash” lights flashing	40 km/h
Passing a stopped emergency, tow or breakdown vehicle with flashing lights (limit 80 km/h or less)	40 km/h
Learner and P1 maximum	90 km/h
P2 maximum	100 km/h

Key Fact: Your licence limit always applies, even on a road signed 100 or 110 km/h. A posted limit lower than your licence limit applies too. Always drive at the lower of the two.

Default and Signed Limits

A regulatory speed sign has a white background with the limit in a red circle. You must not go faster than it. It’s a maximum, not a minimum. Other signs to know:

• Yellow advisory speed signs: recommend a safe speed for a curve or crest in good conditions. They’re advice, not law, so go slower if it’s wet.
• Roadwork speed signs: regulatory. They apply even when no workers are visible.
• Variable (electronic) speed signs: used in tunnels and on motorways and bridges. The limit they show is legally binding for everyone.

You can’t exceed the limit to overtake, or because other traffic is going faster. A gravel road or an emergency doesn’t change the legal limit.

Driving to the Conditions

A limit is the most you may drive in good conditions. In rain, darkness, heavy traffic or on curves, slow down below the limit. Even a small increase in speed greatly raises both your chance of crashing and how severe the crash is. You choose your speed, not your passengers.

Licence Limits and Penalties

• Learner and P1: maximum 90 km/h; demerit point limit 4.
• P2: maximum 100 km/h; demerit point limit 7.
• Any speeding offence, even a small one, takes a learner or P1 driver over the 4-point limit and the licence is suspended.

Speeding penalties include:

• fines and demerit points (doubled in holiday periods);
• loss of licence;
• having your vehicle or number plates taken.

Penalties are higher the further over the limit you go, and higher again in school zones.

School Zones and Buses

• Most school zones operate 8 to 9:30am and 2:30 to 4pm on school days. Zones with different times show them on the sign.
• The limit applies on all notified school days, including pupil-free days, even if you can’t see any children.
• Every NSW school has at least one set of flashing school zone lights.
• Dragon’s teeth (white triangles painted in pairs on the road) mark school zones.
• When the lights on a bus showing “40 when lights flash” are flashing, don’t pass it at more than 40 km/h, whichever direction you’re travelling. You don’t have to stop, but watch for children.

DKT Tip: If a question gives a time inside the school zone hours, the answer is 40 km/h, even if it mentions no children around.

Emergency and Breakdown Vehicles

When you pass a stopped emergency vehicle (flashing red or blue lights), tow truck or breakdown assistance vehicle (flashing yellow lights):

• On roads with a limit of 80 km/h or less: slow to 40 km/h.
• On roads with a limit over 80 km/h: slow down to a safe speed and give them space, changing lanes if it’s safe.

Don’t speed up again until you’ve passed all the vehicles and people at the scene.

Speed Cameras and Detectors

• Fixed cameras check your speed at one spot.
• Mobile speed cameras move around. Warning signs are placed before and after them.
• Red-light speed cameras at intersections detect both red-light running and speeding.
• Average speed cameras time you between two points. Slowing down only near the camera doesn’t help.

Radar detectors and jammers are illegal to have in your car, even switched off.

Test your recall with the Speed Limits quiz.

Common Mistakes on the DKT

• Picking 60 km/h as the default in town. It’s 50 km/h unless signed.
• Thinking learners can drive at 100 or 110 km/h. Learners and P1 drivers are capped at 90 km/h.
• Giving P2 drivers the 90 km/h limit. P2 drivers can go up to 100 km/h.
• Ignoring school zones on pupil-free days. They still apply.
• Slowing to 40 km/h near an emergency vehicle on a 110 km/h road. On roads over 80 km/h, the rule is a safe speed and space.
• Treating yellow advisory signs as legal limits. They’re recommendations.