Car Speed Limiter: Can You Fit One to Your Car in the UK?
Car Speed Limiter: Can You Fit One to Your Car in the UK?
Yes, you can fit a speed limiter to a car in the UK. Speed limiters are not a legal requirement on cars, so fitting one is a voluntary choice, and it is perfectly legal. A professionally fitted car speed limiter caps the vehicle at a maximum speed you choose (70mph, the national motorway limit, is the usual setting), and unlike the speed assistance built into many new cars, the driver cannot override it. This guide explains who fits one, where the law stands, which AutoKontrol system suits a car, and how installation works.
Who Fits a Speed Limiter to a Car?
Most car speed limiters are fitted for business reasons, but the question comes up from families too.
- Company car fleets. Employers have a duty of care for staff who drive for work. A fitted limiter is a practical, evidenced way to stop company cars being driven well above the motorway limit.
- Pool cars and mixed fleets. Operators who already limit their vans and HGVs often want the same standard on their cars.
- Rental, hire and leasing companies. When a car goes out to drivers you do not know, a limiter removes the highest-risk behaviour. See speed limiters for rental and leasing fleets.
- Cars used on private sites. Campuses, depots and industrial sites often set low limits that a car’s own systems do not recognise.
- Parents of young or newly qualified drivers. Legally, a new driver’s car can be limited. Our systems are designed and supported for business and fleet use, so if you are asking about a single private car, talk to us and we will tell you honestly whether a fitted system is right for it.
Is a Car Speed Limiter Legal in the UK?
Yes. Fitting a speed limiter to a car is legal, and it is not compulsory.
UK law only requires speed limiters on heavier vehicles:
- Goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must be limited to 56mph (90km/h).
- Buses and coaches with more than 8 passenger seats must be limited to 62mph (100km/h).
Cars and light vans under 3.5 tonnes have no such requirement, so a car limiter is always a voluntary fit. For the full picture, see are speed limiters mandatory in the UK.
On a voluntarily fitted car, the owner or operator stays in control: the limiter can be recalibrated or removed if your needs change. As with any fitted equipment, it is sensible to tell your insurer.
New Cars Already Have ISA: Is That a Speed Limiter?
No. Since July 2024, new cars sold in the EU must have Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA). The UK has not mandated ISA, but most new cars sold here include it because manufacturers build to a single European specification.
ISA reads the local speed limit from map data and traffic sign cameras, then warns the driver or briefly eases the power. It is a driver assistance system, not an enforcement device, and the driver can override it by pressing firmly on the accelerator or switching it off. Many cars also have a speed limiter button on the steering wheel, but that is set, and cancelled, by the driver.
A fitted speed limiter works the other way round: the maximum speed is set at installation, sealed, and cannot be overridden from the driver’s seat. Our guide to speed limiters on new cars in the UK explains the difference in more depth.
Car Speed Limiter Options Compared
| Feature | ISA (new cars) | Driver-set limiter button | Fitted AutoKontrol limiter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who sets the limit | The car, from map and camera data | The driver | The operator, at installation |
| Can the driver override it | Yes | Yes, it can be switched off | No, calibrated and tamper-evident |
| Works on older cars | No, new cars only | Only if the car has it | Yes, subject to a compatibility check |
| Proof for an employer or insurer | None | None | Calibration certificate and seal |
| GPS tracking option | No | No | Yes, with TrackSpeed |
| Zone-based limits | Follows road signs only | No | Yes, with GeoKontrol 2 |
Which AutoKontrol Speed Limiter Suits a Car?
Most modern cars use an electronic throttle: the accelerator pedal sends a signal to the engine management system instead of pulling a cable. That determines which system is right. We confirm compatibility for your exact make and model before anything is fitted.
DBW Speed Limiter: the standard choice for cars
The Drive-By-Wire (DBW) speed limiter sits between the accelerator pedal and the engine management system. When the car reaches the set speed, it gradually reduces the throttle signal, so the driver feels a smooth taper rather than an abrupt cut. It is EU/ECE R89 type-approved, certified by UTAC, TUV and VCA, works on 12V and 24V systems, and comes with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty. AutoKontrol DBW limiters are approved for all vehicle categories, including company cars.
TrackSpeed: speed limiter plus GPS tracking
If you also want to know where your cars are and how they are driven, TrackSpeed combines an AutoKontrol speed limiter with ScorpionTrack Fleet GPS tracking in a single device and a single installation, adding live location, journey history and driver behaviour reporting. The tracking platform is a monthly subscription.
GeoKontrol 2: different limits in different places
GeoKontrol 2 uses GPS to change the maximum speed automatically when a vehicle enters a zone you define, such as a 5mph depot, a campus or a school area, then restores the normal limit when it leaves. It is a standalone device with its own 4G connection and web portal, managed over the air.
| If you want to… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Cap a car at a fixed top speed, such as 70mph | DBW speed limiter |
| Cap speed and track the car live | TrackSpeed |
| Apply lower limits automatically on sites or in zones | GeoKontrol 2 |
Not sure which fits your vehicles? Browse the full speed limiter range or ask our technical team.
How to Buy and Install a Car Speed Limiter
Buying a speed limiter from AutoKontrol is not a box in the post. Every system is supplied with professional fitting, because the calibration and paperwork are what make it worth having.
- Request a quote. Tell us the makes, models and number of cars through our quote form.
- Compatibility check. We confirm the throttle type on each vehicle and recommend DBW, TrackSpeed or GeoKontrol 2.
- Mobile fitting at your premises. An approved installer from SGH Connect, our group’s nationwide installation network, comes to your home base, office or depot anywhere in the UK. A standard fit typically takes around 2 to 3 hours per vehicle.
- Calibration and testing. The limiter is set to the speed you have chosen and tested to confirm it holds that speed smoothly.
- Certification. You receive a calibration certificate and a tamper-evident seal, so you can show exactly how each car is limited.
For a full walk-through, read our guide to speed limiter installation, and see our UK fitting coverage for the areas we serve.
Can I install a speed limiter myself?
Self-fit kits exist, but they are aimed at the trade: auto-electricians who take on the calibration and liability themselves. For a company car, professional installation gives you a type-approved device, a certificate and a warranty.
What Does a Car Speed Limiter Cost?
Pricing depends on the vehicle, the system and how many cars are fitted in one visit, so we quote per vehicle after the compatibility check. A standalone speed limiter has no ongoing cost once fitted, while TrackSpeed adds a monthly subscription for tracking. Our speed limiter cost guide explains what goes into the price, and our company car speed limiter savings calculator estimates what limiting your cars could save in fuel.
Get a Quote for Your Cars
AutoKontrol has designed and manufactured speed limiters in Chorley, Lancashire, since 1985, as part of Scorpion Group Holdings. Whether you run ten company cars or a mixed fleet, we will recommend the right system and fit it at your premises.
- Get a free quote for your cars
- View the DBW speed limiter, our standard choice for cars
- Compare the full speed limiter range, including TrackSpeed and GeoKontrol 2
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fit a speed limiter to my car?
Yes. Speed limiters can be fitted to most cars, and it is legal in the UK. Cars are not required to have one, so it is a voluntary fit. We check your make and model first to confirm which system is compatible.
Is it a legal requirement to have a speed limiter on a car in the UK?
No. UK law requires speed limiters on goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes (56mph) and on buses and coaches with more than 8 passenger seats (62mph). Cars and light vans under 3.5 tonnes do not need one.
Is ISA on a new car the same as a speed limiter?
No. Intelligent Speed Assistance warns the driver or briefly eases the power when the car exceeds the posted limit, but the driver can override it. A fitted speed limiter enforces a fixed maximum speed that the driver cannot override.
What speed should a car speed limiter be set to?
Most company car fleets choose 70mph, the UK national speed limit on motorways. The setting is agreed with you before fitting, and lower limits can be applied in specific areas with GeoKontrol 2.
How long does it take to install a speed limiter on a car?
A standard fit typically takes around 2 to 3 hours per vehicle. Our installers come to your premises anywhere in the UK, and fitting several cars in one visit reduces the time per vehicle.
Can a car speed limiter be removed later?
On a voluntarily fitted car, yes. The owner or operator can have the limiter recalibrated to a different speed or removed by an approved installer if the car’s use changes.
Related Products
DBW Speed Limiter for Cars, Vans, HGVs and Buses 
GeoKontrol 2 GPS Speed Limiter with Geofenced Zones 
SENT Speed Limiter for Euro VI Trucks and Vans 
AutoKontrol Technical Team
World leaders in speed limiter technology with 41+ years of experience. Trusted by fleet operators, logistics companies, and vehicle manufacturers worldwide.
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