What Is a Speed Limiter Plate? Identification, Information, and Inspection Requirements

A speed limiter plate is a permanent identification label fitted to the vehicle that confirms a speed limiter is installed and shows key information including the set speed, the device manufacturer, the installer’s details, and the date of calibration. It is a legal requirement for all vehicles fitted with a speed limiter under ECE Regulation 89, and it is one of the first things a DVSA enforcement officer checks during a roadside inspection or annual test.

If the speed limiter plate is missing, illegible, or shows incorrect information, the vehicle may fail its annual test or receive a prohibition notice at a roadside check — even if the speed limiter itself is functioning correctly.

What Information Does a Speed Limiter Plate Show?

The speed limiter plate must display the following information:

Mandatory Information

• Speed limiter manufacturer — The name or trademark of the company that manufactured the speed limiter device (e.g., AutoKontrol).
• Type-approval number — The ECE R89 type-approval reference for the specific speed limiter model. This confirms the device meets the international standard for speed limitation devices. See our guide to ECE R89 type-approval for more detail.
• Set speed — The maximum speed to which the limiter is calibrated, shown in km/h (and often in mph as well). For UK HGVs this is 90 km/h (56mph); for buses and coaches it is 100 km/h (62mph).
• Device serial number — A unique identifier for the specific speed limiter unit installed in the vehicle. This allows the device to be traced back to its manufacturing and installation records.
• Installation date — The date the speed limiter was installed in the vehicle.
• Installer identification — The name, address, or identification number of the authorised speed limiter centre that installed and calibrated the device.
• Calibration date — The date of the most recent calibration. If the device has been recalibrated since installation, this date will differ from the installation date.

Additional Information

Some speed limiter plates also show:

• Vehicle registration number — Links the plate to the specific vehicle.
• Vehicle identification number (VIN) — Provides an additional cross-reference.
• Next calibration due date — Helpful for fleet maintenance scheduling, though not always included.
• Tyre size — The tyre specification used during calibration, since tyre diameter affects the relationship between wheel speed and road speed.

What Does a Speed Limiter Plate Look Like?

Speed limiter plates are typically made from durable, self-adhesive metal or plastic. They are designed to be permanent — resistant to heat, moisture, oil, and general engine bay conditions. The plate is usually rectangular, approximately 100mm by 70mm, with the information either engraved, embossed, or printed in a permanent, tamper-evident format.

The plate must be legible for the life of the vehicle. Faded, damaged, or illegible plates must be replaced. Replacement plates should be fitted by the installer or an authorised speed limiter centre to ensure the information is accurate.

Where Is the Speed Limiter Plate Located?

The speed limiter plate must be fitted in a position where it is visible and accessible for inspection without dismantling any vehicle components. The two most common locations are:

Engine Bay

The most frequent location is on the engine bay bulkhead, inner wing panel, or adjacent to the speed limiter unit itself. This makes it visible when the bonnet or cab is tilted. On HGVs with tilt cabs, the plate is typically on the bulkhead or chassis rail visible when the cab is tilted forward.

Near the Manufacturer’s Plate

Some installers fit the speed limiter plate adjacent to the vehicle manufacturer’s compliance plate, usually on the door frame or B-pillar. This groups all vehicle identification information together and makes it easy to find during inspections.

Important: The Plate Must Be Accessible

If the plate is fitted in a location that requires tools or dismantling to access, it does not meet the requirements. DVSA officers must be able to see and read the plate during a standard inspection without special tools.

For fleet managers unsure where the plate is located on their vehicles, a simple check during routine vehicle inspections will identify the location. Add it to your daily walk-around check or PMI (preventive maintenance inspection) checklist.

Why Does the Speed Limiter Plate Matter for Inspections?

Annual Test (MOT for HGVs)

During the annual test at a DVSA-authorised testing station, the examiner checks for the presence and legibility of the speed limiter plate. If the plate is:

• Missing — The vehicle will fail the test. A speed limiter plate is a mandatory item.
• Illegible — If the information cannot be read, the vehicle will fail.
• Incorrect — If the set speed shown does not match the legal requirement for the vehicle type, or the calibration date suggests the system is overdue for recalibration, the examiner may fail the vehicle or issue an advisory.

Roadside Inspections

DVSA enforcement officers conducting roadside checks will examine the speed limiter plate as part of their compliance assessment. A missing or incorrect plate can result in:

• Prohibition notice — The vehicle may be prohibited from continuing its journey until the issue is rectified.
• Fixed penalty notice — The operator may receive a fixed penalty.
• Operator compliance score impact — Roadside failures are recorded against the operator’s OCRS (Operator Compliance Risk Score), which affects the frequency of future inspections and can impact the operator licence.

Insurance Implications

If a vehicle is involved in a speed-related incident and the speed limiter plate is missing or shows an overdue calibration date, insurers may question whether the speed limiter was functioning correctly. This could complicate claims settlement.

Speed Limiter Plate and Calibration

The speed limiter plate is updated whenever the device is recalibrated. Calibration ensures that the speed limiter is accurately controlling the vehicle’s maximum speed. Over time, factors such as tyre wear, transmission changes, and electronic drift can cause the actual limited speed to deviate from the set speed.

When recalibration is performed, the installer updates the calibration date on the plate (or fits a new plate if the existing one cannot be updated). The calibration record — documenting the date, the measured speed, any adjustments made, and the tyre specification — should be retained in the vehicle’s maintenance file.

Calibration Frequency

There is no legally mandated recalibration interval in the UK, but industry best practice and DVSA guidance suggest recalibration:

• At every annual test
• After any tyre size change
• After any transmission or axle ratio change
• After any speed limiter repair or component replacement
• If there is any reason to suspect the set speed is inaccurate

Fleet operators should include speed limiter calibration checks in their PMI schedule and ensure the plate is inspected at each PMI for legibility and accuracy.

Common Issues and How to Avoid Them

Issue	Cause	Prevention
Missing plate	Fell off, removed during repairs, never fitted	Check at every PMI; replace immediately if missing
Illegible plate	Heat damage, oil contamination, UV fading	Use quality plates; refit if degraded
Wrong set speed	Calibrated to wrong standard, plate not updated	Verify at installation; check at annual test
Outdated calibration date	Missed recalibration schedule	Include in PMI and annual test prep
Plate inaccessible	Fitted behind components, requires tools to access	Ensure visible location at installation

Getting Started

AutoKontrol fits durable, compliant speed limiter plates with every installation, positioned for easy inspection access. Our nationwide network of authorised installers ensures plates are correctly completed with all mandatory information. For existing installations requiring plate replacement or recalibration, our service team can arrange a visit at your premises or at one of our approved centres.

Request a free quote or contact our team to arrange speed limiter installation, recalibration, or plate replacement for your fleet.