On private property, the right speed limit depends on who shares the space. A basement car park full of pedestrians needs something very different from a long farm or mine access road. This guide helps you pick a speed limit sign for car parks, warehouses, private roads, caravan parks, schools and work sites.
Speed limits on public roads are set by state road authorities. On private property, the owner or operator usually sets limits as part of their traffic management plan. Whether a limit can be enforced, and by whom, depends on your state and situation. This guide is general information.
Which speed limit where?
| Setting | Common limit | Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Forklift and warehouse areas | 5โ8 km/h | Forklift 5 km/h, Warehouse 8 km/h, 8 km/h |
| Car parks and shared zones | 5โ10 km/h | 5 km/h, 10 km/h, Shared zone with your speed |
| Caravan parks and strata estates | 10โ15 km/h | 10 km/h area, 15 km/h |
| Business parks, schools, private roads | 20โ25 km/h | 20 km/h, 25 km/h |
| Long access roads, farms, mine and quarry roads | 30โ50 km/h | 30 km/h, 40 km/h, 40 km/h area, 50 km/h |
Tips for setting a private speed limit
- Start with your traffic management plan. Where do people walk? Where are the blind corners? See our forklift and warehouse traffic guide.
- Use "area" signs for whole sites. A 10 km/h area sign at the entry tells drivers the limit applies everywhere until they leave.
- Repeat the limit. Put repeater signs after long straights, intersections and entry points from other roads.
- Pair signs with physical measures. Speed humps, narrow lanes and good lighting slow drivers more than signs alone.
- Keep the limit realistic. A limit that feels far too slow for the road tends to get ignored.
Shared zones
Where pedestrians and vehicles share the same space, such as residential complexes, loading areas and caravan parks, a shared zone sign with a low limit makes it clear that people on foot are expected. See our car park signage checklist and caravan park signs checklist.
Size and material
- 300mm x 450mm: car parks, warehouses and internal roads.
- 450mm x 600mm and larger: site entries and faster roads.
- Reflective aluminium for anything a driver will see at night. See reflective signs and our reflective vs non-reflective guide.
- Post mount holes for poles, and pre-drilled holes for walls.
Frequently asked questions
Do you make speed signs with other numbers?
Our shared zone sign takes your own speed. For any other wording, see our custom signs.
Can I order signs for a whole site?
Yes. Buy 25 or more of the same sign to save an extra 5%, 50+ to save 10%, or 150+ to save 15%, applied automatically. Every sign is made to order and dispatched in 2โ3 business days.
Related: Supplementary plates explained
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