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Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
The DRIVE Act would bar the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from issuing any rule or regulation that requires vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds operating in interstate commerce to be equipped with a speed limiting device (i.e., a device that caps a vehicle’s maximum speed). In effect, it prevents a federal speed limiter mandate for heavy trucks crossing state lines, while leaving other FMCSA authorities and safety rules intact. The short title frames the bill as a deregulation measure aimed at limiting regulatory requirements on large trucks and eighteen-wheelers.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition on speed limiter mandates:FMCSA may not issue a rule requiring interstate commercial vehicles over 26,000 pounds to have a speed-limiting device set to a maximum speed.
- 2Federal preemption language: The phrase “Notwithstanding any other provision of law” means this prohibition takes precedence over other laws that might otherwise authorize or require a speed limiter rule for these vehicles.
- 3Scope and applicability: Applies to heavy vehicles (GVWR > 26,000 pounds) operating in interstate commerce. It does not address intrastate operations or lighter vehicles unless another provision applies.
- 4Short title and framing: The bill is titled the Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-wheelers Act (DRIVE Act), signaling a deregulation objective.
- 5Legislative status and sponsor: Introduced in the House (H.R. 2819) in the 119th Congress and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; sponsored by a group of Representatives, with multiple co-sponsors listed.
Impact Areas
Primary group/area affected- Trucking industry and motor carriers: operators of heavy vehicles (>26,000 lb GVWR) engaged in interstate commerce would not be required to install speed-limiting devices, potentially affecting fleet safety planning, maintenance decisions, and equipment procurement.Secondary group/area affected- Speed limiter equipment manufacturers and installers: missive from FMCSA that would have mandated devices would be blocked, affecting market demand for speed-limiter systems and related services.- Interstate freight customers and fleets: potential changes in operations, driver behavior expectations, and regulatory compliance costs.Additional impacts- Road safety and crash dynamics: proponents argue deregulation could affect safety outcomes (speed variability and crash risk) compared with a mandated speed cap; opponents may raise safety concerns about higher speeds.- Federal vs. state regulation landscape: reinforces a federal limit on a types of federal requirements for heavy vehicles, while safety remains governed by other FMCSA rules and state traffic laws; may influence future debates over where speed regulatory authority should reside.- Compliance and cost considerations: fleets would retain discretion over speed management technology, potentially reducing compliance costs tied to a federal mandate but may shift risk management considerations to individual operators.
Generated by gpt-5-nano on Nov 18, 2025