When to accelerate at Speed Limit signs

I was told when I took my test that I had to wait until I actually reached a speed limit sign (say for example from a 30 to a 60) that I was able to accelerate - yet i have been told recently that I should be starting to accelerate from approximately 50 yards from the sign.

Can anyone clarify this for me?

I know that once I see a 30 coming from a 60 that I should start to slow down in a safe and progressive manner so I hit 30 when I reach the sign but not sure about the opposite? Its probably a moot point but I dont want to get pulled up on it...

Im told to actually wait until im at/just passed it to accelerate (im doing my das lessons)

Say your going from 30 to 60, what you have to aim to do is be at 30 right up to the sign, then almost instantaneously be at 60 right on passing the sign. As you are in the few cms alongside the sign you will be in some kind of altered state, where your speed cannot be determined. Ever heard of a WORM drive? Thats what you need to do this as per the Highway code.

My understanding is that the speed limit applies from the point of the sign onwards.
Therefor, if you speed up (as in your example from 30 to 60) in expectation of the new speed limit the you could be looking at points.
However, I am confident that this is a discretionary thing. Being prosecuted for speeding when you were simply easing up to the roads new limit would be somewhat harsh.
Just don't try that arguement if you started speeding up 5 miles prior to the sign!

[21QUEST]

Personally, I've never even thought about it as such

Cheers
Ben

I have looked in the highway code and it doesnt mention anything about pre-acceleration.

Im just a little concerned as I dont want the test examiner (advanced) to fail me for this.

Has anyone else been told this when advanced riding?

Originally Posted by simple simon

My understanding is that the speed limit applies from the point of the sign onwards.
Therefor, if you speed up (as in your example from 30 to 60) in expectation of the new speed limit the you could be looking at points.
However, I am confident that this is a discretionary thing. Being prosecuted for speeding when you were simply easing up to the roads new limit would be somewhat harsh.

A friend of mine was fined for doing just that (there was a Gatso just before the increase in speed limit ).

On your test - don't accelerate until you reach the sign.

Real world - we probably all start to accelerate a few yards before, as long as we're not going past a school or something...

Seriously... if in a 30, its 30 until a sign telling you otherwise. Just nail it at the sign. Surely thats correct? If your under before the sign maybe progress to them limit as you reach it.

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

Seriously... if in a 30, its 30 until a sign telling you otherwise. Just nail it at the sign. Surely thats correct?

Yep, that's my understanding.

if you speed up before the 60 limit from a 30 then you are speeding and thats the bottom line same as you slow down to 30 from a 60 before you hit the limit