🚛 The Speed Limiter Debate: What’s Going On With Trucks Over 26,000 LB

Prolog to this post. My first ‘big truck’ job was with a small regional fast freight expediter based in Michigan. At the time – Michigan max truck speed was 55mph. Although I held a CDL A, being low experience, I was assigned a 24′ box straight truck. The truck was governed out at 55. However, I was dispatched with many deliveries to other states with much higher truck speeds. Often I was the slowest truck, actually slowest ANYTHING on the highway. In my opinion, what I learned then, was limiting a truck’s speed to slower than traffic flow is a major safety issue. But that is my opinion.

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A long-awaited federal regulation to mandate speed limiters in heavy trucks continues to spark heated debate. Here’s the current landscape:

🧩 What’s Happening (and Not Happening)

• Not final yet: The FMCSA is expected to publish a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) in May 2025, targeting vehicles > 26,000 lb with engine control units (ECUs) capable of governing speed Premier Expediters Inc.+8Overdrive+8Truckinginfo+8mccrarencompliance.com+6reginfo.gov+6Overdrive+6.

• No enforcement yet: There’s no active mandate — only a proposal that could follow after the May issue. Implementation could span 6–24 months after finalization dotoperatingauthority.com.

• Back-and-forth in the past: These speed limiter rules were first floated in 2016, later revived around 2022, and then delayed — with OIRA handling reviews within the White House Truckstop.

• Trump-era rollback?: Although there were discussions of rollback during the Trump administration, this didn’t formally stop the rulemaking—current administration maintains it’s still in process .

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👍 Pros: Why Some Back It

1. Crash safety
   Trucks with speed limiters tend to be involved in fewer high‐speed crashes. They reduce severity in collisions and lower risks of jackknifing or rollovers OTR Solutions+12Barrera Law Group LLC+12FreightWaves+12.

2. Fuel efficiency & emissions
   Capping speeds in the 60–68 mph range saves fuel and reduces CO₂ output — a win for carriers and the environment dotoperatingauthority.comPremier Expediters Inc.+1dotoperatingauthority.com+1.

3. Uniform standards
   A national standard simplifies compliance, especially for large fleets already using ECUs, and could raise overall highway safety consistency reginfo.gov+15Truckstop+15dotoperatingauthority.com+15.

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👎 Cons: Critics’ Viewpoints

1. Traffic disparity & safety risks
   Owner-operators argue speed limiters increase dangerous speed differentials, forcing cars to overtake more and potentially causing accidents Barrera Law Group LLC+1dotoperatingauthority.com+1Land Line Media+4Truckinginfo+4Truckstop+4.

2. Economic impact
   Lower truck speeds could slow freight delivery, requiring more drivers or vehicles to maintain throughput — raising costs Tech.co+7Truckinginfo+7FreightWaves+7.

3. Federal overreach
   Some lawmakers and trucking groups assert speed should be managed by states. Bills like the DRIVE Act, now in both House and Senate, aim to block any federal speed limiter mandate Overdrive+3Truckinginfo+3Land Line Media+3.

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🇺🇸 Where the Federal Government Stands

• FMCSA & DOT
  They continue with rulemaking toward a May 2025 proposal that would require motor‑carrier‑based activation of speed limiters on qualifying trucks Truckinginfo+8reginfo.gov+8Truckstop+8.

• Congressional resistance
  The DRIVE Act (spearheaded by Rep. Brecheen and Sen. Daines) would legally forbid the FMCSA from enforcing such mandates. It currently has notable support in the Republican caucus, though its ultimate passage is still unclear Land Line Media+2FreightWaves+2Overdrive+2.

• Political timing
  Rulemaking pace often slows in election years. A leadership shake-up or changes in OIRA’s review could further delay or weaken the rule Truckstop+1Overdrive+1.

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🧭 The Road Ahead

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✒️ Final Take

The speed limiter mandate for >26,000 lb trucks is not law—yet. It sits at a crossroads of safety benefits and economic concerns. Large fleets stand ready with technology in place, but smaller carriers fear federal mandates would hurt efficiency and increase risk on highways. When the proposal officially lands in May 2025, expect a fierce regulatory and legislative battle.

🚚 What Should Stakeholders Do Now?

• Fleets: Audit current ECU configurations and consider trialing speed limiter settings (60–68 mph).

• Drivers / Owner‑Ops: Keep close eye on FMCSA updates and lend your voice in comment periods.

• Shippers: Factor potential transit delays into timelines and contracts.