81 General speed limit for restricted roads.E+W+S
(1)It shall not be lawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle on a restricted road at a speed exceeding 30 miles per hour.
(2)The [F1national authority] may by order F2... increase or reduce the rate of speed fixed by subsection (1) above, either as originally enacted or as varied under this subsection.
[F3(3)An order under subsection (2)—
(a)if made by the Secretary of State, is to be made by statutory instrument and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament;
[F4(aa)if made by the Welsh Ministers, is to be made by statutory instrument and approved by a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales;]
(b)if made by the Scottish Ministers, is subject to the affirmative procedure.
(4)Before making an order under subsection (2) the Secretary of State must consult with [F5 the Welsh Ministers and] the Scottish Ministers.
(5)Before [F6the Welsh Ministers or the Scottish Ministers make an order under subsection (2) they] must consult with the Secretary of State.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 81(2) substituted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 42(3)(a), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))
F2Words in s. 81(2) omitted (23.5.2016) by virtue of Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 42(3)(b), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))
F3S. 81(3)-(5) inserted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 42(4), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))
F4S. 81(3)(aa) inserted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), s. 71(4), Sch. 6 para. 39(2) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6, 9); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(r)
F5Words in s. 81(4) inserted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), s. 71(4), Sch. 6 para. 39(3) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6, 9); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(r)
F6Words in s. 81(5) substituted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), s. 71(4), Sch. 6 para. 39(4) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6, 9); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(r)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 81 modified (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 5, Sch. 2
C2S. 81(1) excluded by 1988 c. 52, s. 12E (as inserted (10.3.2017) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 73(3), 115(7); S.I. 2017/273, art. 2(a))
C3S. 81(1) excluded (S.) (17.4.2019) by The Motor Sport on Public Roads (Scotland) Regulations 2019 (S.S.I. 2019/138), regs. 1, 6, sch. 2
C4S. 81(1) modified (W.) (17.9.2023) by The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/800), arts. 1(3), 2
C5S. 81(2) amended (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, art. 4, Sch. 3; S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3
S. 81(2): transfer of functions (27.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/3143, art. 2(1)