How to tell if your car has a speed limiter

The quickest way to tell is to check your instrument panel and steering-wheel controls for a “LIM” button or a speedometer icon with an arrow, look in the vehicle’s settings/owner’s manual for “Speed Limiter,” “Speed Limit Assist,” or “Adjustable Speed Limiter,” and, if present, try setting a limit and seeing “LIM” plus a speed appear in the cluster; if none of that shows up, ask a dealer to run your VIN for a built-in top-speed governor. Beyond that short answer, several technologies—driver-set limiters, intelligent speed assistance, and factory top-speed governors—can all be described as “speed limiters,” and the steps below help you identify which, if any, your car has.

What counts as a speed limiter?

Different systems are often conflated. Knowing the type you’re looking for helps you find it and understand what it does.

• Adjustable speed limiter (ASL): Driver sets a maximum speed (e.g., 30 mph); the car limits throttle to keep you at or below it. Often labeled “LIM.”
• Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA): Uses camera/map data to detect the posted limit and warns or gently resists if you exceed it; can usually be overridden by pressing the accelerator. Mandatory on new models in the EU since 2022 and on all new EU registrations since July 2024; many UK-market cars are also adopting ISA in 2024–2025.
• Top-speed governor (Vmax): A factory-set maximum vehicle speed (e.g., 112 mph on some Volvos; 250 km/h on many German performance cars). Not adjustable by the driver.
• Fleet/aftermarket limiters: Installed by employers or insurers to cap speed (common on commercial vehicles and some young-driver policies).
• Speed warning/chime: Alerts at a set speed but does not limit acceleration—often mistaken for a limiter.

Clarifying which system you have ensures you look in the right place and interpret what you see correctly.

Fast checks you can do yourself

These steps require no tools and work for most modern vehicles from mainstream brands.

• Look for “LIM” on the steering wheel or stalk: Many cars group LIM with cruise control. Pressing it should show “LIM” and a number on the instrument cluster.
• Open driver-assistance or vehicle settings: In the infotainment or cluster menu, look for “Speed Limiter,” “Speed Limit Assist,” “Adjustable Speed Limiter,” “Speed Warning,” or “Speed Limit Warning.”
• Watch the cluster while driving: If ISA is fitted, you’ll often see a recognized speed limit sign next to a small steering-wheel/road sign icon and get visual or haptic feedback if you exceed it.
• Try a safe, low-speed test: In a quiet, legal environment, set the limiter to a value below your current speed (e.g., 20–25 mph). If equipped, the car will reduce throttle and hold near the set value. Do not test top-speed governors on public roads.
• Check the owner’s manual or in-app guide: Search for “limiter,” “LIM,” “ISA,” or “speed limit” to find exact instructions and icons for your model.

If these checks confirm functionality—or reveal only a speed warning—you’ll know whether you have a limiter you can control, an assist system, or just an alert.

Deeper verification: when you need more than a button

If you still aren’t sure, these methods can confirm factory-set governors or market-specific features.

• Ask the dealer with your VIN: Dealers can see build data, including factory top-speed settings, tire-based limit coding, or fleet programming.
• Review the window sticker/build sheet: Some models list “Speed Limiter” (common on police/fleet packages) or a capped top speed tied to tire ratings.
• Use a professional scan tool: Advanced OBD tools can read ECU parameters such as Vmax. Do not attempt to change settings—this can be illegal or void warranties.
• Check market regulations:
  – EU: ISA is now required on all new passenger vehicles registered since July 2024; it is advisory and overridable. Heavy trucks and buses have long-used mandated limiters (typically 90–100 km/h).
  – UK: Authorities are phasing in GSR-style safety features, including ISA, on new vehicles from 2024–2025.
  – US/Canada: Many vehicles have manufacturer governors (often influenced by tire ratings); heavy-truck limiter rules are under consideration but not finalized nationwide as of 2025.

These steps help distinguish a driver-aid from a hard-coded governor and account for regional rules that affect what your car may have.

Common signs your car likely has a limiter or ISA

Certain model years, trims, and brands make it more likely that a limiter is present.

• Model year 2022-on (EU) or 2024-on (UK): High likelihood of ISA on mainstream models.
• Premium European brands (Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, VW): Frequent inclusion of LIM and/or ISA; many also have top-speed caps.
• Fleet or police packages: Often include fixed maximum speeds (e.g., 85–120 mph) and can be listed on fleet ordering guides.
• Performance cars: May show a published top-speed with package-dependent caps (e.g., 250 km/h standard, higher with performance pack).

If your vehicle fits these profiles, there’s a good chance at least one form of limiting is built in.

What you can and can’t change

Before trying to modify anything, understand the boundaries—technical, legal, and warranty-related.

• Driver-set limiter/ISA behavior: Usually configurable in menus (on/off, warning style, tolerance). ISA can typically be overridden by firm accelerator input.
• Top-speed governors: Generally not user-changeable. Dealer changes are rare and usually tied to tire ratings or specific service bulletins.
• Aftermarket “tunes” to remove governors: Often violate laws, emissions/safety rules, or insurance terms, and can void warranties.
• Fleet limiters: Changes require fleet authorization and reprogramming via approved tools.

In short, you can customize advisory functions but not factory-set top-speed caps without significant—and potentially problematic—modifications.

Safety and legal notes

Speed-limiting systems are there to help manage risk and compliance, but misuse can create hazards.

• Never test top-speed limits on public roads; use a closed course if you must verify performance limits.
• Be aware that ISA is advisory in most markets and may misread signs in complex scenarios; the driver remains responsible.
• Altering or disabling limiters can be illegal, void warranties, and affect insurance claims after a crash.

Treat limiter features as safety aids—complementing, not replacing, attentive driving within the law.

Practical next steps

If you want a definitive answer for your specific car, follow this straightforward plan.

1. Search your owner’s manual and on-screen help for “LIM,” “Speed Limiter,” and “Speed Limit Assist.”
2. Inspect the steering wheel/stalk and cluster for a LIM button/icon and try setting a limit in a safe area.
3. Open the driver-assistance menu to configure ISA or speed warnings and observe the cluster feedback.
4. Call a dealer with your VIN to confirm any factory top-speed governor or fleet limiter programming.
5. If needed, have a qualified technician scan the ECU to read limiter parameters.

By moving from basic checks to VIN verification, you can confirm whether your car has a limiter and what kind it is.

Summary

Look for a LIM button or a speed-limiter/ISA setting in your vehicle’s menus and manual; try setting a cap and watch for “LIM” plus a speed in the cluster. Many recent European-market cars include ISA by regulation, while factory top-speed governors are common across brands but not user-adjustable. When in doubt, a dealer can confirm via your VIN whether your car has a driver-set limiter, ISA, a hard top-speed governor, or only a speed warning chime.

What cars have speed limiters?

All new cars sold in the European Union and UK since July 2024 are equipped with mandatory Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) (speed limiters) that use cameras and GPS to enforce speed limits, and are available in models from brands like Citroën, Ford, and Volvo. In the US, speed limiters are available as driver-controlled options or are built into many performance cars and economy cars, though they are not yet mandatory.
 
Mandatory Speed Limiters (EU/UK) 

• Legislation: All new cars sold in the EU and UK as of July 2024 are legally required to have speed limiters, also known as Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems. 
• How it Works: These systems use cameras to recognize traffic signs and GPS data to identify the current speed limit. 
• Driver Options: Drivers can typically override the system by pressing hard on the accelerator pedal. 
• Manufacturer Adoption: Many manufacturers, including Citroën, Ford, Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo, have already adopted ISA in their models. 

Optional & Standard Speed Limiters (Other Regions) 

• Driver-Controlled: Many European and some American cars have driver-controlled speed limiters that can be set to a maximum speed. 
• Engine/Tire Specific: Some cars, especially in the US, are limited by the manufacturer based on the engine or tire ratings. For example, some models are restricted to around 110 mph. 
• Performance Cars: High-performance and European sports cars often have high-speed limiters, though the specific limit depends on the vehicle’s performance capabilities and intended use. 
• Other Vehicles: Speed limiters are also used in other vehicles, such as forklifts, some commercial vehicles, and fleet vehicles for safety reasons. 

Key Distinction: Limiter vs. Cruise Control 

• Speed Limiter: Opens in new tabSets a maximum speed the car will not exceed, and can be overridden by pressing hard on the accelerator.
• Cruise Control: Opens in new tabSets a minimum speed the car will maintain, and is overridden by braking or pressing the accelerator to increase speed.

How do I know if I have a speed limiter on my car?

How do I know if my car has a speed limiter? Most limiters are controlled by buttons on the steering wheel or on an indicator stalk. They are usually activated by pressing a button with the letters ‘LIM’ or one of several similar symbols.

How to find out what the speed limit is?

How to Identify Speed Limits

1. Speed Limit Signs: The most obvious indicator, speed limit signs are circular with a red border.
2. Street Lighting: In areas with street lighting but no visible signs, the speed limit is usually 30 mph, especially in urban environments.

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.