the driver's handbook

R O A d R U L E S
50
Speed Limits
NOTE: If you are the holder of a learner’s permit or a provisional
licence, you may be limited as to the speed at which you are
permitted to drive. Refer to the Drivers and Licensing section for
information about special speed limits that apply to permit and some
licence holders.
The speed limit that applies to a road or road-related area is the
maximum speed you are allowed to drive a vehicle.
You should only drive to the speed limit if it is safe to do so. It may not
be safe to drive to the speed limit in certain conditions, for example,
due to poor weather or heavy traffic or the condition of the road. In
these situations, you must slow down to a speed that is safe for the
prevailing conditions.
44 The Driver’s Handbook
How is the speed limit set?
Within South Australia (and in fact throughout Australia) the
maximum default speed limit outside a built-up area is 100 km/h.
The maximum default speed limit in a built-up area is 50 km/h.
Unless a road sign or a licence condition indicates otherwise,
these are the general maximum speeds at which you are allowed
to drive. The circumstances under which these limits might be
varied are set out below.
Speed limit signs
The speed limit on a section of road may be varied from the above
default speed limits by speed limit signs.
Higher speed limits
Outside a built-up area, some roads may have a speed limit of
110 km/h shown by speed limit signs. You may travel up to this
higher speed provided your driving licence permits you and it is
safe to do so. Learner and provisional drivers, for example, must
not travel at this higher speed.
In built-up areas, some roads may have a higher speed limit (for
example 60 km/h or 80 km/h) shown by speed limit signs.
Lower speed limits
Any road may have a speed limit lower than the default speed. This
will be shown by a speed limit sign. This lower speed limit applies
to the section of road marked by the signs, and you must not
exceed this lower speed limit.