The FMCSA announced a 68 mph maximum speed limiter mandate proposal, and then revoked the number on Monday evening.
The September 2023 Significant Rulemaking Report originally listed the FMCSA’s speed limiter proposal as topping commercial vehicles out at 68 mph. By Monday night, September 25th, however, the document had been altered to reflect no number for a proposed top speed limit.
The speed limiter mandate proposal must go through a regulatory process before a top number can be reached, but the requirement would apply to CMVs manufactured after 2003. The FMCSA says it plans to publish a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking by December 29th. At that time, the public will have the opportunity to comment on the proposal.
“The FMCSA intends to proceed with a motor carrier-based speed limiter rulemaking by preparing a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to follow up on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) and FMCSA’s jointly issued September 7, 2016 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on this subject. The new rulemaking in subsequent consultation with NHTSA, will consider whether additional regulatory actions should be taken concerning CMV manufacturer requirements,” the Significant Rulemaking Report states.
“Specifically, motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more), whichever is greater, that are equipped with an electronic engine control unit (ECU) capable of governing the maximum speed be required to limit the CMV to a speed to be determined by the rulemaking and to maintain that ECU setting for the service life of the vehicle.”