How slow must you drive to be driving illegally slow, in the uk?

Question

I'm learning to drive and i have my provisional license. I feel i am fairly accomplished in terms of being in control of the vehicle. I usually drive with my dad, but my mum just told me off for driving over 30mph in a 50 zone.

Please can some one tell me, how slow is too slow? what should i say, because we had an argument over this. is driving too slow breaking the law?

Answer 1

what you need to remember is that 50 is the MAXIMUM speed, you dont have to go at such a speed.

I only passed my test about 18months ago, so not long really.  Its perfectly legal to drive 30 in a 50 zone, but dont do it on your test, its a fail...but I wouldnt worry about that, you'll get better, we all do ^_^

I think you have to be driving about 10mph in order to get pulled over, although it depends on the speed limit in the area...I doubt you would get away with 30mph on the motorway.

Anyway, dont worry about your mum, she needs to be more patient.  Youre a learner, and its a bit daunting to drive fast at first

Answer 2

In the UK, the speed limits denote the MAXIMUM speed you are allowed to travel at on that stretch of road. It does NOT mean you have to travel at that speed, although on motorways, your vehicle must, by law, be capable of exceeding 25mph,or you cannot travel on them.However, during your driving test, you must travel AT the posted speed to show you are capable of controlling your vehicle at that speed. Common sense dictates that you do not exceed the posted limit, they are set as such for reasons of safety, as I'm sure yiu are very aware. Also, travelling too slowly can, in law, be construed as causing an obstruction, and as such, can lead to prosecution and also to angering other motorists. In all cases, you should use your discretion and common sense to decide what is an acceptable speed at which to travel in any given area. Hope this has been of some help.