🚫 Bill Introduced to Stop FMCSA Speed Limiter Mandate — The DRIVE Act Rides Again

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Intro – Speed limiters: safety feature or driver straitjacket?

If you’ve been rollin’ long enough, you’ve already felt the choke chain of a speed-limited truck — stuck at 65 MPH while four-wheelers zoom by, flipping you off like it’s your fault you can’t get outta the way.

Well guess what?

Congressman Josh Brecheen just reintroduced the DRIVE Act, and if it passes, it could finally stop the FMCSA’s push to slap speed limiters on every truck across the country.

That’s right — it’s a bill aimed at protecting drivers’ right to use common sense, not a computer, to control their rigs. So let’s break it down, trucker-style, and see why this bill might be the most important thing you haven’t heard about all week.

What the DRIVE Act Is – No more forced limiters

Here’s what the DRIVE Act (Deterring Restrictive Impedes on Vehicles and Equipment) aims to do:

🚫 Blocks FMCSA from enforcing any federal rule that would require speed limiters on commercial trucks.

✅ Preserves current rules – no new mandates, just leaves things how they are.

⚠️ Prevents overreach – even if the FMCSA finalizes its proposal, this bill would pull the plug.

This isn’t about outlawing speed limiters altogether — it’s about keeping the choice in the hands of drivers and companies, not government agencies.

And for a lot of drivers, that’s a pretty big deal.

Why Drivers Hate Speed Limiters

You ever try to merge into fast-moving traffic with a truck that tops out at 65?

Yeah… not fun. Here’s why most truckers are dead set against mandated speed caps:

Dangerous bunching – You get packs of trucks all locked at the same speed, making passing risky and backups worse.

Frustrated four-wheelers – Cars get aggressive when they can't get around governed rigs, and that causes more accidents.

Lost income – For drivers paid by the mile, slower speeds mean smaller paychecks, plain and simple.

Less control – Every rig, route, and road is different — sometimes you NEED to push it a little to stay safe or on time.

Morale killer – Being treated like a liability instead of a professional doesn’t sit right with most drivers.

Truckers argue that training and experience beat tech mandates every time. And they’ve got a point — the driver shortage ain't exactly being solved by making the job more frustrating.

But Some Folks Love Speed Limiters…

Let’s keep it real — not everyone hates the idea.

Mega fleets support it — easier to control their drivers and reduce insurance claims.

Safety groups claim it’ll reduce crash severity and fatalities.

FMCSA says it’ll save fuel and lives.

But those same groups rarely ride shotgun or pull back into a tight dock at 2 a.m. in a storm, right?

Industry Response – Here we go again…

This ain’t the first time someone tried to block the FMCSA's limiter dreams — but this time it’s gaining steam.

OOIDA (Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association) is all in. They've been fighting limiters for years and back the DRIVE Act hard.

ATA (American Trucking Associations)? Mixed bag. Big fleets like limiters. Small carriers? Not so much.

Drivers? If social media and truck stops are any clue, most would rather get their CBs confiscated than get stuck at 65 permanently.

Rep. Brecheen — a former small fleet owner himself — says this bill is about protecting common sense, freedom, and highway safety the real way.

What Happens Next?

That’s the big question. Here's what you need to know:

The bill’s reintroduced — but it still has to pass the House and Senate.

Expect pushback from FMCSA, safety lobbyists, and big-money players.

You can support the bill by contacting your local rep or writing through advocacy groups like OOIDA.

And remember — while they’re debating in D.C., speed limiter rules are still being drafted. If nothing changes, FMCSA could enforce them as early as next year.

Bottom Line – This one’s worth watching

The DRIVE Act isn’t about speeding — it’s about trusting truckers to make smart decisions behind the wheel. Every day, you’re out there managing road rage, traffic, deadlines, and danger. The last thing you need is the government taking your judgment out of the equation.

Whether you're hauling meat, steel, Amazon junk, or just your own dream — you know your truck better than a guy behind a desk ever will.

🔧 Call to Action
Tired of being treated like a robot in a rolling billboard?

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👉 Learn what’s coming at LifeAsATrucker.com
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