Driving a Campervan in England: Toll Roads, Speed Limits and What Nobody Warns You About
October 5, 2026
Anyone driving a campervan in England for the first time quickly realises that some things work differently from the continent. Not more complicated - just different. Driving on the left is the obvious one. But there is more worth knowing before you set off: toll systems that must be paid online before or after you pass through them, speed limits for motorhomes that are lower than for cars, and one particular characteristic of British lorry traffic that genuinely catches people off guard the first time.
This guide covers everything you need to know - without bureaucratic language, with personal experience from the road.
Driving on the left: the first day is the hardest
Everyone says this and it is true: the first day of driving on the left is unfamiliar. Particularly in the first few minutes after arriving off the ferry or through the Eurotunnel when the autopilot kicks in.
A few things that genuinely help:
Roundabouts are everywhere in England and you drive them clockwise - the opposite of what most continental drivers are used to. The brain needs to rewire this before it becomes automatic.
The passenger seat is on the left - which means the driver sits on the right and the centre of the road is to the left. That sounds obvious but when overtaking or turning you have to consciously think about it for the first day or two.
Narrow country lanes are extremely common in England - narrower than most continental equivalents, often with high hedges on both sides that remove all visibility around bends. In a campervan this feels tight at first. By the end of the first day it becomes manageable.
Our honest tip
Take the first hour after arriving deliberately slowly. If possible avoid the motorway immediately and get a feel for driving on the left on quieter roads first. The motorway can wait an hour.
Speed limits in England - and why they are different for motorhomes
This is something many travelling motorhomers do not know - and it is genuinely enforced in England.
The speed limits in England:
Built-up area: 30 mph (48 km/h)
Motorway: 60 mph (96 km/h)
What this means in practice: On a motorway you are legally limited to 60 mph (96 km/h) as a motorhome driver - while cars flow past you at 70 mph (112 km/h).
The threshold is 3.05 tonnes maximum permitted weight - not 3.5 tonnes as in many other countries. This is a common mistake. Check your vehicle's weight before you leave.
Are these limits enforced?
Yes. Speed cameras on British motorways are frequent and calibrated for all vehicle classes. Police enforcement is also real. The motorhome limit is not a theoretical boundary - it applies and is checked.
Congestion Charge and ULEZ - London
If your route takes you into or near London there are two additional systems to be aware of.
Congestion Charge
The London Congestion Charge applies to the central zone - broadly the inner City of London. Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 6pm.
Cost: £15 per day for all vehicles
Payment: online on the day of travel or the day before
Website: tfl.gov.uk/congestion-charge
Driving a campervan through central London is not recommended anyway - narrow streets, virtually no parking, expensive. Far better to park on the outskirts and travel in by tube or bus.
ULEZ - Ultra Low Emission Zone
The ULEZ now covers almost all of Greater London - and this is what catches many travellers off guard. It is not just the centre. It covers a vast area.
Older vehicles that do not meet certain emission standards pay:
Cars and motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes: £12.50 per day
Heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes: £100 per day
Check whether your vehicle is ULEZ compliant: tfl.gov.uk/ulez
Newer vehicles (Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol or newer) are generally exempt. Older campervans may fall into the chargeable category - this must be checked before you travel, not after.
Practical checklist for driving a campervan in England
Know your vehicle's speed limit - above 3.05 tonnes you are limited to 60 mph on motorways and dual carriageways
Dartford Crossing: pay online immediately after crossing - do not leave it for later
Check your vehicle's ULEZ status before travelling anywhere near London
Drive on the left - sounds obvious, needs conscious attention on day one
Stay in the left lane on motorways
Lorries in England travel fast and close - watch your mirrors and do not be startled
On roundabouts go clockwise
Enter correct vehicle dimensions for ferry and Eurotunnel bookings
Navigate with CampPilot Camper Navi app
Published on October 5, 2026