If you've bought a new car since 7 July 2024, chances are it'll have a speed limiter or intelligent speed assistance (ISA).
This device recognises when the car is going over the speed limit and gradually reduces the power to the engine.
The EU passed the mandatory speed limiter law in 2022, and it was officially rolled out in July 2024. Although the UK isn't in the EU anymore, we're adopting this rule, as a lot of the cars we sell in the UK are manufactured by the EU.
Speed limiters also improve safety, so it's in line with the government's Vision Zero. The main goal of this is zero deaths or serious injuries on UK roads.
So roughly a year on, what exactly do speed limiters do? And how do drivers feel about them?
Our research
We wanted to get some opinions on speed limiters now that they're mandatory on all new cars. In July 2025, we asked a group of drivers for their thoughts on speed limiters, and we've featured them in our guide.
What is a speed limiter?
Quite simply, it automatically limits the speed that your car can travel at.
Speed limiters use a couple of different types of tech to detect the correct speed. Some use the ISA system, which uses a camera to detect traffic signs. Others use GPS, which pinpoints the driver's location and the local speed limit.
If you're over the speed limit, the system issues a warning. Sometimes this is a visual dashboard symbol, a sound, or pedal resistance. It then reduces power to the engine so the car slows down.
Why are speed limiters mandatory in the UK, even though we've left the EU?
Many vehicles sold in the UK are manufactured in Europe. So it's more cost-effective for manufacturers to include the same systems in UK cars.
Mandatory speed limiters should boost road safety too. They also help to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
The government is also keen to introduce the speed limiters because speeding is a key factor in collisions. In fact, the Department for Transport states that speed was a factor in over half of fatal crashes in June 2024. Speed limiters could also help the government with its 'Vision Zero' mission, which aims for no deaths or serious injuries on UK roads.
There's an environmental effect too. The UK has also introduced a number of policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a net-zero economy. Speed limiters could help the UK to achieve these environmental goals.
What happens if I need to override my speed limiter?
You can bypass the system. For example, if you need to overtake. But this resets when the car restarts. Accelerating out of danger is a common approach to avoiding a dangerous situation, so it's key that drivers can override the system in these types of scenarios.
Gregg comments:
"Accelerating out of danger is a legitimate response to avoid an incident—especially when dealing with hesitant drivers who may pull into your lane, where slowing down might not be enough."
Jess says:
"Some speed limiters physically won't let you go over the speed set (I know there are some that just beep at you), so you're less able to take avoiding actions when needed."
But it's not too hard to override the system, she goes on to say:
"It's easy to override the system though, there's an on/off option that you can set like cruise control."
Some motorists have had issues with the systems misreading road signs. Karen says:
"The M1 and M25 are all over the place with speed limit recognition. Sometimes it is really good with the variable speed limits. and then in areas where there is no variable limit, the car tells you it is a 50 zone when it isn't. Highways and tech companies ought to sort this."
Are speed limiters having an effect on road safety?
The European Commission calculated that speed limiters reduced crashes for 6 countries. They also predict that fatalities could reduce by between 19-28%.
The drivers we asked are certainly more aware of their speed now they have a speed limiter.
Gregg said,
"I’m very aware of both my speed and the speed limits with the speed limiter"
Karen agreed
"I'm definitely more aware now - it makes me a much safer driver."
And speed awareness is key to safety. You're in more control of the vehicle, and better awareness means you're not just adjusting your speed because of a speed camera.
You're in control of your speed at all times, keeping you and other road users safe.
Does my car have a speed limiter?
If you've bought a new car made after 7 July 2024, it's probably got a speed limiter. Here are some ways to tell:
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Check the steering wheel or indicator stalk: Most speed limiters are controlled by a button with the letters "LIM" or a similar symbol.
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Check for a cruise control symbol: The symbol for cruise control is an arrow on the speedometer, which is similar to the symbol for a speed limiter.
Do I need to add a speed limiter to my car?
If you bought your car before July 2024, you don't need to get a speed limiter fitted. There are a few exceptions, though. GOV.UK states that a speed limiter must be fitted on the following vehicles:
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Vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats. For example, buses, minibuses, coaches, and stretch limousines.
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Goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight of over 3.5 tonnes. This is the UK legal limit for large vans.
If your car was manufactured after 7 July, 2024, it should already have a speed limiter. Manufacturers must have also retrofitted speed limiters to the existing new models in their showrooms.
Can I fit a speed limiter to my car?
Yes, you can fit a speed limiter to your car. But you should get a professional to do this for you. You can search for an approved speed limiter centre near you at GOV.UK. Here are a few companies that could help:
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Rostra Accessories: Offers vehicle-specific speed-limiting modules that are tamper-proof and can't be altered by the driver.
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AutoKontrol: Offers a mobile service to supply and install speed limiters in cars, vans, and light commercial vehicles.
Some of our drivers felt this should be mandatory in all vehicles, even older ones. When asked, Jess said,
"I think it would only make driving safer. If you can save money on car insurance by proving you can drive sensibly, what is there to lose?"
Not everyone is in agreement, though. Tom comments:
"I don't think speed limiters should be mandatory in all cars, mostly for technical reasons. Many cars will not have the right controls required in the electronic control unit. The sensors, cameras, or GPS would be very expensive to retrofit too.
"Having this as a feature on 'all new cars' will mean that while it will take longer to become the norm, it won't require owners to make expensive upgrades to their cars - which may not even be possible."
Greg said that the cost could be a reason not to introduce it as mandatory for all cars:
"I wouldn’t support it in older vehicles because it would impose a significant adoption cost on owners. I would support it in modern vehicles, given standardisation, improved consistency between manufacturers, and the ability to override it when road conditions require."
Do speed limiters mean I won’t get a fine for speeding?
No, having a speed limiter doesn't mean you won't get a speeding fine.
Even if your car has a speed limiter, you're still responsible for driving within the speed limit. You can override a speed limiter by pressing down on the accelerator.
Some cars have an intelligent speed limiter that uses a camera to identify speed limit signs. But these cameras aren't perfect and may misinterpret signs.
Ultimately, you still need speed awareness when driving your car, and you're responsible for staying within the speed limit.
If you do get caught speeding, our speeding fine calculator can help work out how much you could pay.
Will speed limiters affect my car insurance?
Yes, speed limiters can affect your car insurance in a few ways. They can help prevent speeding, which can reduce the risk of accidents and the number of penalty points drivers get. Fewer points = lower insurance costs.
Some insurers also view speed limiters as a positive safety feature and offer lower prices for vehicles with them. Each insurer has its own way of working out insurance prices, so they can vary.
But your driving history will affect your insurance costs. So if you've been involved in an accident or got points on your licence, you could still pay more for your insurance.
Speed limiter systems include a data logger, or black box, that records the car's speed and location. This data can be used by insurers to determine if the driver was exceeding the speed limit at the time of an accident.
What cars have speed limiters already installed?
Many manufacturers have already started including factory-fitted ISA in some of their cars. Here are a few who have made the leap:
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Citroen
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Ford
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Honda
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Jaguar
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Peugeot
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Renault
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Volvo
Renault Group also went a step further by limiting the top speed of all new Renault and Citroen cars to 112 mph to increase safety.
Speed limiter removal: is it allowed?
It should be 'active by default' on all new vehicles sold from 7 July 2024.
You're allowed to override or temporarily disable the system. Like we mentioned, you can just press down on the accelerator to do this.
Or you can turn it off via the menu or dashboard in your car. But it'll reactivate every time you start your car.
But removing or tampering with a speed limiter is more of a grey area. It definitely has insurance implications. For example, it could invalidate your insurance if something goes wrong. Or if you have an accident and your modified speed limiter contributed to this, your insurer might not pay out.
Also tampering with it might affect your other safety features, like lane assist.
Some of the drivers we asked would disable the speed limiter permanently if it was allowed:
"Yes. I find I get the same outcome with my cruise control, but as that's adaptive, I find it easier in traffic and can modify it more easily than switching between both systems." Jess
"If I had an automated one, I would probably disable it and turn it on based on driving conditions." Gregg
Others are more fond of the technology:
"I'd never remove my speed limiter. Both my cars have it, and I'd be lost without it. It's a non-negotiable for me." Alisha
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