The Scottish Government has started the process of implementing the new HGV speed limits, writes Kevin Swallow.
Last year, a consultation overwhelmingly endorsed raising HGV speed limits from 40mph to 50mph on single carriageways and from 50mph to 60mph on dual carriageways, bringing Scotland into line with England and Wales. More than 19,500 responses were received to the National Speed Management Review public consultation.
However, any change was deferred until after the Scottish Parliamentary election, which took place on 7 May 2026.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “Work is now underway to implement the new HGV speed limits.
“The necessary legal changes will be subject to consideration and approval through the relevant parliamentary processes later this year and, if approved, the new speed limits will be introduced.”
Road Haulage Association policy director for Scotland, Martin Reid, welcomed the news.
“RHA campaigned for many years to increase the speed limit in line with England and Wales, so the sooner the change is implemented, the sooner Scottish hauliers can access the efficiencies that come with the increased speed and better compete with their counterparts south of the border,” he said.
“Also, reducing the speed differential between trucks and cars should lead to less driver frustration and fewer risky and inappropriate overtaking manoeuvres.”
