Definition
The default speed limit applies to each road type when there is no specific signage. It depends on the road type and vehicle type. Any vertical sign indicating a different limit overrides the default.
Key facts
- Motorway and dual carriageway: 120 km/h. Qualifying conventional road: 100 km/h for cars and motorcycles; other conventional roads: 90 km/h. Urban: 30 km/h with one lane per direction, 50 km/h with two or more, and 20 km/h on a single-platform street.
- Vans up to 3,500 kg are 10 km/h slower on interurban roads.
- Lorries and combinations: 90 km/h on motorways/dual carriageways and 80 km/h on conventional roads; buses are 100/90/80 depending on the road outside built-up areas.
- The criminal threshold is more than 60 km/h above the permitted limit in an urban road or more than 80 km/h above it on an interurban road (Spanish Criminal Code Article 379).
Practice real questions on this topic
Free DGT 2026 test with exam-style questions and explanations. No signup. Or explore the free DGT test in English hub for everything in one place.
In the DGT exam
- A dual-purpose vehicle, without a trailer or special transport operation, travels on a motorway with no lower specific limit. What is its general maximum speed?
- As a general limit, with no lower restriction, what is the maximum speed for a passenger car towing a trailer on an unpaved road outside built-up areas?
- On a conventional road outside built-up areas, without physical separation of directions or another restriction, a passenger car has a general limit of 90 km/h. With no reason justifying a lower speed, what is its minimum speed?
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