Is driving a pickup truck at 120 km/h on the highway considered speeding?
2 Answers
On highways, the speed limit for small passenger vehicles is 120 km/h, while for trucks it is 100 km/h. In China, pickup trucks are classified as trucks, meaning they should adhere to the 100 km/h speed limit on highways. The details are as follows: 1. Speed Limit: Pickup trucks are categorized as multi-purpose trucks in China's vehicle classification. Although they are small in size, they fall under the truck category. According to China's Road Traffic Safety Implementation Regulations, the maximum speed for small passenger vehicles on highways must not exceed 120 km/h, while other motor vehicles must not exceed 100 km/h, and motorcycles must not exceed 80 km/h. 2. Penalties: According to traffic laws, if a small passenger vehicle exceeds the speed limit by less than 20%, a warning will be issued. For speeding between 20% and 50%, a fine of 200 RMB and 3 demerit points will be imposed. For speeding between 50% and 70%, a fine of 1,000 RMB and 6 demerit points or revocation of the driver's license may apply. For speeding over 70%, a fine of 2,000 RMB and revocation of the driver's license will be imposed.
After driving for so many years, I often take my pickup truck on highways, and speed limits really depend on the location. For example, in most parts of China, the speed limit for cars is 120 km/h, but pickup trucks fall under the category of commercial vehicles, with a speed limit of around 100 km/h. So driving at 120 km/h is definitely speeding and could result in a 12-point penalty plus a fine of several hundred yuan. In some U.S. states, the highway speed limit is 75 mph (approximately 120 km/h), and pickup trucks may have an even lower limit, so driving at 120 km/h is still too fast. Speeding isn’t just about the risk of fines—pickups have a high center of gravity and are harder to brake, making them prone to losing control and rolling over in curves. I once had a close call. In short, safety comes first—follow the road signs and don’t push your luck.
