• Canadian provinces have unique regulations regarding speed limits.

Speed limiters are the law in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Canada. The intent is to reduce pollution, increase fuel mileage, and improve highway safety.

All large trucks operating in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec must have their speed limited to no more than 105 kilometers per hour (km/h), or 65.2 miles per hour (mph). The present provincial speed limit for large trucks on major highways in these provinces is 100 km/h, or about 62 mph.

The carrier operating the vehicle will be responsible for compliance with the law. Carriers that have the technical know-how and correct equipment (hardware and software) should be able to do the programming themselves. If the carrier does not have the know-how or equipment, the programming will need to be done at a dealer or repair facility that has the correct capabilities.

As much as is practical, the speed limiter will need to be tamperproof. Once it is set at the appropriate speed, the driver is not to have the ability to alter it. Proof of not having an operating speed limiter will be a speed citation exceeding 105 km/h. In theory, a speeding violation in excess of 105 km/h could result in two citations — one citation issued to the driver for speeding, and another citation issued to the carrier for not having an operating speed limiter on the truck.

Here is a key point: This law applies to every truck over 11,000 kilograms (roughly 24,250 pounds) operating in Ontario and Quebec, regardless of where the vehicle is registered. Trucks entering Ontario and Quebec from other provinces or the United States will be required to comply with this law.

In the United States, several major trucking associations and motor carriers, and several safety organizations have petitioned the United States Department of Transportation to consider similar regulations. The rulemaking to institute a speed-limiter rule in the U.S. was started but has not advanced.