Truck Speed Limits in Latin America by Country (Velocidad Máxima)

What is the velocidad máxima for a truck on the highway in Chile, Argentina or Mexico? The answer changes at every border, and it often differs for trucks, buses and cars on the same road. Fleets running across several countries, or setting a company-wide limitador de velocidad (or gobernador de velocidad) policy, need the figures side by side.

Here they are, with the regulation each one comes from. Limits change by decree and posted signs override the general rule, so check the road you drive before you rely on any number.

Truck and bus maximum speeds at a glance

Country	Trucks	Buses	Notes
Mexico	80 km/h	95 km/h	Federal roads and bridges where signage sets no limit (Reglamento de Tránsito en Carreteras y Puentes de Jurisdicción Federal, art. 134). Other vehicles 110 km/h.
Chile	90 km/h	90 km/h; interurban buses 100 km/h	Buses and trucks of 3,860 kg GVW or more, and school transport (Ley de Tránsito, art. 145). Urban limit 50 km/h.
Peru	-	90 km/h	Public passenger transport on highways (Reglamento Nacional de Tránsito, art. 162). Urban: streets 30 km/h, avenues 50 km/h.
Colombia	80 km/h	80 km/h	Public service, cargo and school transport on national and departmental highways; 60 km/h on urban roads (Ley 1239 de 2008).
Argentina	90 km/h (N2 and N3)	100 km/h (long distance), 60 km/h (urban)	Limiter settings under Resolución 19/2016, each plus or minus 3 percent.
Guatemala	80 km/h	80 km/h	Limiter setting for heavy cargo and intercity buses under the SLV rules. Does not authorise 80 km/h where the posted limit is lower.
Brazil	90 km/h	90 km/h	Rural roads where there is no sign, “other vehicles” in the Código de Trânsito Brasileiro (art. 61). Cars and vans 100 or 110 km/h.

For Guatemala’s neighbours, see the Central America page.

Mexico: gobernador de velocidad territory

Mexico’s federal road regulation sets the default for roads and bridges under federal jurisdiction: 80 km/h for trucks, 95 km/h for buses and 110 km/h for other vehicles, whenever signs do not set something different. Where there is no sign, buses may run at 95 km/h in the day and 80 km/h at night on a highway, while trucks and tractor-trucks run at 80 km/h by day and 70 km/h at night. On an urban highway the figure is 50 km/h for both.

Since 14 August 2026, a reform to the regulation (new art. 136 Bis) allows speeding infractions to be issued from electronic detection on federal roads, and 20 “Intelligent Highway Arches” have been announced to measure speed and read plates. For a fleet, a held speed matters more than it used to. See the Mexico page.

Chile: 90 km/h for heavy vehicles

Under art. 145 of the Ley de Tránsito, buses and trucks of 3,860 kg gross vehicle weight or more, plus school transport, may not exceed 90 km/h. Interurban buses may go up to 100 km/h. The urban limit is 50 km/h. Cars are limited to 100 km/h on a single carriageway and 120 km/h where there are two or more lanes. Heavy fleets in mining and freight tend to fit a limitador de velocidad to hold that 90 km/h by default. More on the Chile page.

Argentina: figures set into the vehicle

Argentina’s numbers come from a limiter rule rather than a general road sign. Resolución 19/2016 sets limiter speeds of 100 km/h for long-distance and interurban M3 buses, 60 km/h for urban M3 buses, 100 km/h for M2 vehicles and 90 km/h for N2 and N3 trucks, each with a tolerance of plus or minus 3 percent, applied by reprogramming the on-board computer. See the Argentina page and the laws hub.

Peru: buses at 90 km/h

For public passenger transport the highway limit is 90 km/h under art. 162 of the national traffic regulation. Urban limits since 2022 are 30 km/h on streets and 50 km/h on avenues. Intercity buses are also subject to a limiter certificate; the details are in the Peru page.

Colombia: 80 km/h on highways

Ley 1239 de 2008 sets the speed limit for public service, cargo and school transport at 60 km/h on urban roads, and it may not exceed 80 km/h on national and departmental highways. For tractomulas, volquetas and buses that is the practical ceiling. See the Colombia page.

Guatemala: 80 km/h as a limiter setting

Guatemala’s 80 km/h comes from the limiter regulation for collective passenger transport and heavy cargo, not from a posted road limit. The regulation states that it does not authorise 80 km/h where the posted limit is lower. Details are on the Guatemala page.

Brazil: limitador de velocidade and the 90 km/h default

The Código de Trânsito Brasileiro (art. 61) sets, where there is no sign, 90 km/h for “other vehicles”, which includes trucks and buses, on both dual and single carriageway rural roads, against 110 and 100 km/h for cars. Dirt roads are 60 km/h. Urban limits: 80 km/h on expressways, 60 on arterial roads, 40 on collectors and 30 on local streets. See the Brazil page.

From the legal maximum to your own set speed

A legal maximum is a ceiling, not a target. Most fleets set their limiter below it, for reasons of their own:

• Fuel. Diesel use climbs steeply at higher speeds. Try the HGV fuel consumption calculator and read fuel savings from speed limiters.
• Road conditions. Where surfaces are poor or mountain descents are long, a lower speed protects tyres and brakes.
• Client and site rules. Mines, ports and oil and gas sites set their own speeds for contractors.
• Insurance and accident risk. A held speed is a point in your favour.

If different zones need different speeds, GeoKontrol applies GPS geofenced limits. For a straight cap on an electronic-throttle truck use the DBW; for older mechanical diesels, System 80. Our speed governor for trucks guide explains how to choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the velocidad máxima for trucks on the highway in Chile?

90 km/h for buses and trucks of 3,860 kg GVW or more under art. 145 of the Ley de Tránsito. Interurban buses may go to 100 km/h.

What is the velocidad máxima for trucks in Argentina?

The limiter setting for N2 and N3 trucks under Resolución 19/2016 is 90 km/h, with a tolerance of plus or minus 3 percent.

How fast can a truck go on federal roads in Mexico?

80 km/h for trucks, 95 km/h for buses and 110 km/h for other vehicles, where signs set no other limit.

Can a limiter hold my trucks to these speeds?

Yes. A limiter holds the vehicle at the set speed whatever the pedal does, and you choose the figure. Our laws hub covers countries where a limiter rule applies.

Get a quote

Tell us the country, the make, model, year and engine type of your trucks and the speed you want to hold. We will recommend the right unit. Request a quote or email [email protected].