Truck Speed Limiter Rule: What Was Proposed and Why It Was Withdrawn
For almost two decades a federal speed limiter mandate for big trucks moved through petitions, proposals and comment periods. What it would have required, how it ended, and where truck speeds are governed today.
There is no federal speed limiter requirement for heavy trucks. On July 24, 2025, FMCSA and NHTSA withdrew the 2016 joint proposal that would have required trucks over 26,000 pounds to have a speed-limiting device set at a fixed speed, and FMCSA withdrew its 2022 follow-up notice as well. As of November 2026, no new speed limiter rulemaking has been published in the Federal Register.
What did the speed limiter proposals require?
Two proposals were on the table, and both are now withdrawn.
| Document | Date | What it proposed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint NHTSA and FMCSA notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) | September 7, 2016 | New trucks over 26,000 lb GVWR would come with a speed-limiting device, and carriers would have to keep it set at a fixed speed; the agencies discussed 60, 65 and 68 mph | Withdrawn July 24, 2025 |
| FMCSA advance notice of supplemental proposed rulemaking (ANSPRM) | May 4, 2022 | Interstate carriers running vehicles of at least 26,001 lb whose engine control unit can govern top speed would have to set and keep a maximum speed, to be decided in the rulemaking, for the life of the vehicle | Withdrawn July 24, 2025 |
The 2022 version was broader in one way: it would also have covered existing trucks with electronic engines. It never reached the proposed-rule stage with a specific speed.
Why were the proposals withdrawn?
The agencies said they withdrew the proposals because of “significant policy and safety concerns and continued data gaps” that left the costs, benefits and other effects of the rule uncertain. The withdrawal notice was published at 90 FR 34822; its full text is on the Federal Register withdrawal notice page.
The rulemaking had split the industry. Supporters, including safety groups and some large fleets, argued that lower top speeds reduce crash severity and fuel use. Opponents, led by many owner-operators and small carriers, argued that trucks held below the speed of surrounding traffic create more lane changes and passing conflicts, and that the data did not prove a safety benefit. The withdrawal ended the federal effort without ruling on either argument.
Could a speed limiter mandate come back?
It could, but it would have to start over. A withdrawn proposal cannot be finalized; a future rule would need a new proposal, a new comment period and a new cost-benefit analysis. Bills to require speed limiters have been introduced in Congress in past sessions, and none has become law. Any new federal action would appear in the Federal Register and in DOT’s regulatory agenda before taking effect.
Who already limits truck speeds today?
Truck speeds are currently limited in three ways, none of them a federal device mandate.
- Posted speed limits set by states. Most states use the same limit for trucks and cars, but some set lower limits for trucks. California, for example, limits trucks with three or more axles and vehicles towing trailers to 55 mph.
- Carrier policy. Many fleets set a maximum road speed in the engine control unit as a company rule, often below the highest posted interstate limits, and some pair it with cameras or telematics alerts. The setting varies by carrier and is not reported to FMCSA.
- Enforcement and safety data. Speeding violations found at roadside or in traffic stops count against a carrier’s Unsafe Driving measure in FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System, and serious speeding can lead to CDL disqualification after repeat convictions. See CSA scores explained.
Some carriers also use governed speed as a recruiting point in either direction: higher settings to attract experienced drivers, or lower settings to cut fuel and insurance costs.
What would a mandate have meant for owner-operators?
Owner-operators running under their own authority can set their truck’s governed speed themselves, and that stays true with the proposals withdrawn. Under the 2022 version, an owner-operator with an electronically controlled engine would have had to set a federal maximum and keep it there for the life of the truck. The practical effects drivers raised during the comment periods:
- Fewer miles in an 11-hour driving day on long interstate runs, which affects pay by the mile; the hours-of-service limits would not change to make up for it.
- More time in traffic where cars move faster, which some drivers see as a safety problem.
- Possible fuel savings at lower speeds, which some fleets cite as a reason to govern trucks voluntarily.
Leased owner-operators follow the governed speed in their carrier’s policy, so the setting is one of the terms worth comparing when choosing between leasing on and running independently; see owner-operator vs company driver.
Are any other speed-related truck rules pending?
No federal rule pending as of November 2026 would require a speed-limiting device on trucks. Related technology rules, such as automatic emergency braking, are separate rulemakings with their own status. Electronic logging devices record driving time but do not set or limit speed; see ELD rules explained.
Bottom line
The withdrawal took both federal proposals off the table at once, so any future mandate would start from a blank page with new data. For now, the governed speed in a truck is a business decision for each carrier and owner-operator, while speeding tickets still count against both the driver’s record and the carrier’s safety scores.
FAQ
Is there a speed limiter law for trucks in 2026?
No. There is no federal rule requiring speed limiters on heavy trucks as of November 2026. FMCSA and NHTSA withdrew both pending proposals on July 24, 2025.
Can my carrier govern my truck at a low speed?
Yes. A carrier can set a maximum speed on its own trucks as company policy. For leased owner-operators, the lease and carrier policy decide whether the carrier can require a setting.
What speed would the 2016 rule have required?
The 2016 proposal did not settle on one number. It discussed 60, 65 and 68 mph and asked for public comment before it was withdrawn.
Does any state require speed limiters on trucks?
States set truck speed limits on their roads, and some are lower than car limits, but they generally enforce them with traffic stops rather than device mandates. Check your state’s rules for intrastate operations.
