Heavy Vehicle Speed Limiter Offences
Charged over a speed limiter, tampering or remapping?
Get advice before you respond.
Charged With a Speed Limiter Offence?
Speed limiter and engine remapping matters are treated seriously by the NHVR. Tampering charges go straight to court, and the business that owns or operates the truck is often investigated too.
Eric Navea is a former NHVR Senior Prosecutor who now defends truck drivers and transport businesses across NSW.
Get advice early. The earlier you do, the more options may be available.
Request a Confidential Consultation
Which Trucks Must Have a Speed Limiter?
- Trucks with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) over 15 tonnes
- Trucks with a GVM over 12 tonnes manufactured on or after 1 January 1991
- Buses used for public passenger services over certain GVM thresholds
The speed limiter must stop the vehicle going over 100 km/h. In NSW, any vehicle over 4.5 tonnes GVM must not exceed 100 km/h, even where the sign says 110 km/h.
Common Speed Limiter Offences
- Tampering with a speed limiter, including engine remapping that changes the limit
- Using a heavy vehicle that does not meet the speed limiter standard
- Business and chain of responsibility offences for allowing tampered vehicles to be used
Speed Limiter Penalties
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Tampering with a speed limiter | Infringement fine: none, the matter must go to court Maximum penalty for an individual: $14,120 (1 August 2026 to 30 June 2027) Maximum penalty for a company: up to $70,600 (a court can fine a company up to 5 times the individual maximum, HVNL section 596) |
| Using a vehicle that does not meet the speed limiter standard | Infringement fine: $848 Maximum court penalty: $8,480 |
Source: NHVR Schedule of Infringement Penalties and Demerit Points, 1 August 2026 to 30 June 2027, and NSW Road Rules. Amounts are indexed every year, so check the amount on your notice.
Can the Transport Business Be Liable?
Yes. Operators, employers and others in the chain of responsibility have a primary duty to make sure their vehicles are safe and compliant. Workshops that remap engines can also be charged. See chain of responsibility.
How Eric Can Help
- Advise before you answer NHVR questions or a notice to produce
- Check the testing and evidence about the limiter setting
- Negotiate the charges and represent you in court
- Advise the business on compliance and any wider investigation
Related Guides
Practical guides from Eric Navea, written for transport businesses and truck drivers in NSW.
- Overloading Fines in NSW (2026–27): Over GVM Penalties and Who Is Responsible
- Mass Limits for Transport Operators: How to Prevent Overloading Under the Chain of Responsibility Under the Chain of Responsibility
- Minor, Substantial or Severe? How NHVR Breaches Are Graded
- 3 Tonne Limit Roads in NSW: Rules, Fines and Exceptions Explained
Latest Articles
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Speed Limiter Offence FAQs
Is engine remapping illegal?
Remapping is not illegal by itself, but changing the engine so the truck can go over 100 km/h, or so the limiter no longer works, is treated as tampering.
I bought the truck second-hand. Am I responsible?
You may still be charged with using a vehicle that does not comply, but who did the tampering and what you knew matter. Get advice early.
Will I lose my licence?
Tampering with a speed limiter does not carry demerit points under the NHVR penalty schedule. Speeding charges that come with a limiter matter can carry demerit points and suspension. See What happens if you are caught speeding in a truck.
Related Heavy Vehicle Matters
Charged With a Speed Limiter Offence?
Speed limiter and tampering charges go straight to court. If you've been stopped, inspected or served with a court attendance notice, get advice before you respond to the NHVR.
The sooner you obtain legal advice, the sooner you can understand your options, protect your business, and put a strategy in place.
Send through what you've received and Eric will be in touch about next steps.
Call Eric 0401 937 269Request a Confidential Consultation
This page is general information only and does not replace legal advice about your specific matter. It was last reviewed in October 2026. The NHVR may update the law, penalties and policies from time to time, so check the NHVR's official publications at nhvr.gov.au.