Abstract: The present invention relates to a braking system for a DC motor. The braking system includes a current control element placed across the terminals of the DC motor to regulate the magnitude of the electric current generated by the motor when the motor is in a braking mode of operation. In the most preferred embodiment, the current control element includes a semiconductor switch, such as a transistor, that is repeatedly pulsed on and off to act as a controlled short circuit across the armature of the motor. The rotational energy is dissipated as heat by the inherent resistance of the motor windings that may be augmented by an external resistor, if desired. Another possibility is to use a current control element that includes a variable load designed to dissipate the rotational energy in the form of heat. The impedance of the load element is gradually reduced as the speed of the motor is reduced to maintain the rate of energy dissipation near the peak allowable value for the structure of the DC motor.