The FMCSA Speed Limiter Rule Has Been Delayed Further
Now Until May of 2025

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced another delay in the speed limiter rule for commercial trucks. The rule, now set for May 2025, has been postponed three times due to various challenges and opposition.

What is the FMCSA Speed Limiter Rule?

The speed limiter rule, first proposed in 2016, requires trucks weighing over 26,000 pounds to have a device that limits their top speed. The exact maximum speed is still undecided. The rule was originally supposed to be released in mid-2023, but has faced several delays.

Why the Delay in Implementing the Speed Limiter Rule?

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has pushed back the rule as part of a broader delay in many trucking regulations. The FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are still reviewing how to best implement the rule. Other delays include changes to electronic logging devices (ELDs) and rules for automatic emergency braking systems.

Industry Reactions

The FMCSA speed limiter rule has sparked a lot of debate. Most of the 16,000 comments received by the FMCSA are from truck drivers who oppose the rule. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) argues that the rule would create dangerous speed differences between trucks and other vehicles, leading to more accidents.

OOIDA President Todd Spencer said, “Limiting trucks to speeds below the flow of traffic increases interactions between vehicles, which can lead to more crashes.” Many industry groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Association of Small Trucking Companies, support OOIDA’s stance.

Legislative Pushback

Lawmakers are also divided on the issue. The DRIVE Act, introduced in both the House and Senate, aims to prevent the FMCSA from mandating speed limiters. This bill highlights the ongoing debate over the rule’s impact on safety and the economy.

Support for the FMCSA Speed Limiter Rule

On the other hand, many large motor carriers and safety advocates support the speed limiter rule. The American Trucking Associations (ATA), representing large carriers, supports a top speed of 70 mph with additional safety features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Dan Horvath, ATA’s senior vice president of regulatory affairs and safety policy, noted that fleets using these technologies have reported better safety outcomes.

Ongoing Consultation and Future Steps

The FMCSA plans to continue working on the speed limiter rule in collaboration with NHTSA. They aim to prepare a new notice of proposed rulemaking, considering additional actions for commercial motor vehicle manufacturers.

Other Delayed Regulations

The speed limiter rule isn’t the only regulation facing delays. The FMCSA has also pushed back changes to ELD operations to June 2025. A joint FMCSA-NHTSA rule on automatic emergency braking systems is now delayed until January 2025. These delays show the ongoing regulatory challenges faced by the FMCSA and DOT.

Looking Ahead

The repeated delays of the speed limiter rule show how complex and contentious this issue is. As the FMCSA continues to work with industry stakeholders and lawmakers, the debate over the rule’s impact on safety and the economy will likely continue. The trucking industry remains divided, with strong arguments on both sides, making it a challenging issue to resolve.