Can you turn the speed limiter off?

Usually, no: for most modern vehicles you either cannot legally disable the speed limiter or you can only override it temporarily, and doing more can void warranties, breach insurance, or break the law. The exact answer depends on your vehicle type (car, truck, e‑bike, scooter, rental/fleet) and your jurisdiction—especially in the EU and UK, where certain systems must be on by default—so always check your owner’s manual and local regulations before attempting any change.

What “speed limiter” means depends on the vehicle

“Speed limiter” is a catch‑all term people use for different technologies. Some are advisory (they warn or gently resist), others are hard caps imposed by law or policy. Understanding which system your vehicle has is key to knowing what, if anything, can be switched off.

Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) in cars (EU/UK)

In the European Union, ISA has been mandatory for new models since 2022 and for all newly sold cars since July 2024 under Regulation (EU) 2019/2144. ISA is primarily advisory: it reads speed limits and alerts the driver, and in some implementations softly reduces power. It must default to “on” at every start. Drivers can typically switch it off for that trip, but it will reactivate on the next ignition cycle. The UK is introducing equivalent rules for new vehicles; most new models sold now include ISA that behaves similarly.

Factory governors and user “speed limit” modes in passenger cars

Many cars, including EVs, have a factory top‑speed governor tied to tires, brakes, and safety certification. This is not a customer setting and can’t be removed by the end user. Separately, some brands offer owner‑set “Speed Limit Mode” or “Valet Mode” that caps speed—those are user features you can toggle in settings (often PIN‑protected), but they are not the same as removing a factory governor.

Heavy trucks and buses

In the EU and many other markets, commercial heavy vehicles must have speed limiters (e.g., around 90 km/h for heavy goods vehicles, 100 km/h for certain buses). Tampering is illegal and subject to enforcement. In the United States, a federal rule to require speed limiters on certain heavy trucks has been proposed but, as of September 2025, not finalized; many fleets voluntarily limit their trucks.

E‑bikes and e‑scooters

In the EU and UK, road‑legal e‑bikes (EPACs) must cut assistance at 25 km/h (15.5 mph), and derestricting them generally makes them motor vehicles in the eyes of the law—triggering registration, insurance, and equipment requirements. In the U.S., most states use a Class 1/2/3 system (20 or 28 mph assist caps); modifying assist beyond a bike’s class can be unlawful on public roads. Shared e‑scooters are geofenced and speed‑limited by the operator; users cannot turn these limits off.

Rental, fleet, and work vehicles

Hire cars, car‑share vehicles, and company vehicles may have telematics‑enforced or software speed caps. Users aren’t permitted to alter them, and doing so is typically a contract breach and may be a criminal offense.

Is it legal to switch off a speed limiter?

Legality varies by region and by the type of limiter. As a rule, advisory systems can often be muted for a drive; statutory or policy limiters generally cannot be lawfully removed. Below are common scenarios.

• EU passenger cars: ISA must default on at startup; drivers can usually switch it off for that journey, but not permanently.
• EU heavy vehicles: Speed limiters are mandatory; disabling or altering them is illegal.
• UK: Aligning with EU‑style requirements; most new cars include ISA that can be turned off only per trip. Heavy‑vehicle tampering is illegal.
• United States: No federal ISA requirement for passenger cars. Heavy‑truck limiter rule proposed but not finalized; altering a fleet limiter may still violate company policy and state laws.
• E‑bikes/e‑scooters: Derestricting assistance/speed is unlawful on public roads in many jurisdictions and can reclassify the vehicle as a moped/motorcycle.
• Rental/fleet vehicles: User tampering is prohibited; limits are contractual and often telematics‑enforced.

If you’re in doubt, your local vehicle code and the owner’s manual are the authoritative sources. Where the law mandates a limiter, only authorized service centers may adjust settings—and only within legal bounds.

Practical reality: Can an owner disable or change it?

From a practical standpoint, end users have very limited options. Most consumer‑accessible settings relate to alerts or voluntary speed caps, not the factory top‑speed governor or legally required limiters. Here is what’s typically feasible without running afoul of the law.

• Advisory systems (ISA/alerts): Often can be muted or switched off for a single drive via the infotainment menu; they revert to on at the next start.
• User “Speed Limit Mode” or “Valet Mode”: Can usually be turned off by the owner with a PIN or menu setting.
• Factory top‑speed governors: Not user‑configurable; removal is generally unsupported and may be illegal or unsafe.
• Heavy‑vehicle limiters: Locked to comply with regulation; only certified service adjustments are allowed, within legal thresholds.
• Shared scooters and rentals: Limits are controlled by the operator; users cannot change them.
• E‑bikes: Controller changes that raise assist speed are commonly illegal on public roads and can void certification and insurance.

If a legitimate change is possible (for example, for export markets or track‑only use), it typically requires manufacturer tools, documentation, and proof of lawful use. Expect any such change to be logged and to affect warranty and insurance.

Risks of tampering

Beyond legality, overriding a speed limiter carries real safety and financial risks.

• Safety certification: Brakes, tires, and stability systems are certified for specific speed envelopes; exceeding them increases failure risk.
• Warranty and insurance: Tampering can void warranties and give insurers grounds to deny claims after a crash.
• Compliance penalties: Fines, vehicle impoundment, or criminal charges (especially for commercial vehicles).
• Resale and diagnostics: Modified ECUs can trigger faults, complicate inspections, and reduce resale value.
• Liability: Post‑crash investigations routinely check logs; unauthorized changes can increase liability exposure.

These consequences often far outweigh any perceived benefit. If speed capability is a priority, it’s safer to choose a vehicle legally certified for your needs rather than altering one.

Safer, legal alternatives

If you’re finding a limiter intrusive, there are lawful ways to address the underlying need without compromising safety or compliance.

• Adjust alerts, not limits: Tweak chimes, haptic feedback, or HUD warnings within the car’s settings where permitted.
• Temporary override: Many ISA systems allow throttle‑through or a per‑trip off setting; use it responsibly where legal.
• Track or closed‑course use: Some vehicles offer track modes that relax certain limits for non‑road settings; keep it off public roads.
• Consult the dealer: For export configurations, tire‑rating changes, or legitimate software updates, get written confirmation of legality and warranty impact.
• Choose the right class: For e‑bikes, consider a legal Class 3 bike if higher assisted speed is permitted in your area.
• Verify speed accuracy: Ensure correct tire size and up‑to‑date maps; misreads can make ISA feel over‑restrictive.

These steps keep you within the law while reducing frustration. They also preserve safety systems designed to protect you and others.

Bottom line

Whether you can turn a speed limiter off depends on what “limiter” you mean and where you live. Advisory systems in cars can often be muted per trip; statutory limiters on heavy vehicles, shared scooters, and many e‑bikes cannot lawfully be removed. Attempts to disable factory governors or mandated limiters risk legal trouble, safety issues, and insurance problems. When in doubt, check your manual, consult the manufacturer, and follow local law.

Is it bad to remove a speed limiter?

Removing the speed limiter may result in excessive wear and tear, reducing the lifespan of your vehicle and potentially leading to costly repairs.

How do I take a speed limiter off?

To remove a vehicle’s speed limiter, you typically need to reprogram the engine control unit (ECU) or powertrain control module (PCM), a process that requires specialized tools and knowledge and is often best left to professionals or dealerships. For some older vehicles or specific models, you might be able to do it yourself with an aftermarket programmer or by disabling certain sensors, but this isn’t a universal solution. For electric bikes, the method can differ, sometimes involving disconnecting a specific cable on the controller. 
For Cars and Trucks

1. Reprogramming (Remapping): This involves altering the vehicle’s software to remove or raise the speed cap. 
   • Professional Service: The most reliable way is to send the PCM to a specialized facility or have a dealership use diagnostic tools like Ford’s IDS to modify the parameters directly. 
   • DIY Tuners: For some vehicles, you can use a handheld programmer that connects to the OBD2 port and uploads a custom tune to the ECU. This often requires purchasing software licenses and credits. 
2. Older Vehicles: Some older cars may have specific sensors in the transmission that, when disabled, prevent the speed limiter from engaging, but this method is not universal. 

For Electric Bikes 

1. Disconnecting a Cable: Locate the controller inside the bike frame, open it, and find a thin blue or black wire associated with the speed limiter. Disconnecting this wire can remove the limiter.

Important Considerations

• Safety: Speed limiters are in place for safety, often because the vehicle’s tires or other components aren’t rated for higher speeds. 
• Legality: Modifying or removing a speed limiter may be illegal depending on your location. 
• Warranty: Altering the vehicle’s software can void the warranty. 
• Tires: Ensure your tires are rated to handle the higher speeds, as stock tires may not be. 

This video explains how to remove the speed limiter by reprogramming the PCM: 56sUpFix Automotive Electronics RepairYouTube · Dec 3, 2024
This video shows how to remove the speed limiter on an electric bike: 54sEVLYouTube · May 18, 2024

Is it illegal to take off your speed limiter?

Every automobile with the 2027 model year built or sold in California would have to incorporate the “passive” system, and drivers who temporarily disable it would risk criminal punishment. Only the vehicle manufacturer or franchisee could permanently disable the system under the bill,SB 961.

Can speed limiters be turned off?

Exactly how you turn the limiter on and off varies from car to car. It may be a button on the steering wheel or an option in the same settings menu as other driver assistance features such as lane keeping assist. There may also be the option of turning the limiter permanently.