The road limit applies without a reminder sign
Unless a traffic sign lawfully specifies another limit, the general maximum is 60 km/h on an urban public road, 100 km/h on a public road outside an urban area other than a freeway, and 120 km/h on a freeway. These rules apply even when there is no speed sign at the place where you join the road.
The displayed road limit and a vehicle-class restriction operate together. Use the lower applicable maximum. A limit is a ceiling, not a target: visibility, grip, traffic, pedestrians, load and stopping space may require a much lower speed. Overtaking does not permit exceeding the limit.
The 100 km/h vehicle tier
The manual identifies the 100 km/h category for buses and the specified minibus passenger operation. Vehicle use matters: regulation 293 distinguishes a minibus operating in terms of an operating licence. Do not apply a vague “all passenger vehicles” rule to an ordinary car.
The 2016 amendment adds goods vehicles above 3,500 kg and not above 9,000 kg GVM, and goods-vehicle/trailer combinations whose summed GVMs fall in that range. Their cap is 100 km/h even on a 120 km/h freeway.
The 80 km/h vehicle tier
An 80 km/h maximum applies to the following classes, subject to any lower road restriction:
- A goods vehicle with GVM over 9,000 kg.
- A goods drawing vehicle and one or two trailers when the sum of their GVMs exceeds 9,000 kg.
- An articulated vehicle when the truck-tractor’s GCM exceeds 9,000 kg.
- A breakdown vehicle while towing another vehicle.
Know and monitor your speed
A motor vehicle designed for, or capable of, 60 km/h or more must have a working speedometer. Check it rather than estimating speed from engine noise or the vehicle ahead. An inaccurate or non-working instrument is an equipment problem to repair, not an exemption from the speed limit.
Where a prescribed vehicle must have a speed governor, the device does not remove the driver’s duty to obey lower road limits. A governed vehicle can still travel too fast for a bend, pedestrians or poor visibility.
Worked situation
A 12,000 kg GVM goods vehicle is travelling on a freeway posted at 120 km/h. Its class cap is 80 km/h. On entering a signed 60 km/h work zone, the maximum becomes 60 km/h; rain or workers near the lane may require less again. The driver checks each applicable restriction instead of choosing the largest number.
Worked situation: use rated masses
A goods vehicle rated at 6,000 kg tows a trailer rated at 2,000 kg. The combined 8,000 kg GVM puts it in the 100 km/h tier. Replacing the trailer with one rated at 4,000 kg makes the total 10,000 kg and the class cap 80 km/h. The calculation uses ratings, even if both trailers are empty.
Additional 100 km/h categories and equipment
The 100 km/h tier also includes a midibus operating under an operating licence, a rapid-transport bus and a rapid-transport bus-train. The 2014 rules prescribe speed-governor requirements for the listed minibuses, midibuses, buses and goods vehicles over 3,500 kg first registered after 1 December 2016. The applicable class maximum still applies without relying on a device to enforce it.