No Federal Speed Limiter Rule—But Don’t Relax Just Yet
For years, the talk of a federal speed limiter mandate for heavy trucks has been hanging over the industry. You’ve probably heard everything from “it’s already in effect” to “it’ll never happen.” Now, regulators have officially pulled back the proposal that would have required speed-limiting devices on certain heavy trucks.
So, no federal speed limiter rule—end of story, right? Not exactly.
Withdrawal Doesn’t Remove Speed Responsibility
What the withdrawal really means is that the federal government isn’t going to force a one-size-fits-all speed setting on all heavy trucks… for now. But fleets can still choose to govern trucks on their own. Some already do, to manage safety, fuel, and insurance costs. States also continue to set their own speed laws, which you must follow regardless of what your truck is governed at.
From a driver’s perspective, the key takeaway is this: you’re still responsible for the speed you run, and tickets for speeding are just as serious as ever. If anything, the withdrawal puts even more responsibility back on individual carriers and drivers to manage speed safely and intelligently.
Why Some Carriers May Tighten Internal Speed Policies
With no federal rule as the “bad guy,” some carriers may tighten their own internal speed policies to show shippers and insurers they’re serious about safety. That can lead to disputes when drivers feel they were disciplined or terminated unfairly over alleged speed issues or data pulled from onboard telematics.
That’s where a group like CDL Consultants becomes valuable. If you’re cited for speeding, accused of violating a governed speed policy, or dealing with discipline based on telematics that doesn’t look right, you don’t want to handle that argument alone.
How CDL Consultants Protect Drivers in Speed Disputes
When a speeding issue comes up—whether roadside or internal—strong defense can make a huge difference:
- Reviewing accuracy of radar, lidar, or other enforcement tools.
- Checking GPS/telematics data to validate claims.
- Evaluating whether company discipline was fair and policy-consistent.
- Challenging speeding citations that may hurt CSA, MVR, or PSP reports.
The end of a proposed mandate doesn’t mean the end of attention on speed. Shippers, insurers, and safety departments still view speed as a risk factor, and they rely heavily on your record when making decisions.
Use This Moment to Protect Your CDL Record
Instead, use the current moment to your advantage. With no new federal limiter rule, you have a little breathing room—but use it wisely. Stay within posted limits, know your company’s policies, and if you get written up, involve CDL Consultants early. They can help protect your standing, whether the pressure comes from an officer or a safety department.
