The new boss of Melbourne's Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) has revealed he racked up seven speeding fines during his first few weeks on the job.

Dan Stephens took over at the MFB in June after seven years as chief of Liverpool's Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in the UK.

He said all seven of the infringement notices were issued for the same stretch of road on the M1 between Melbourne and Geelong, at speeds of between 105 and 115 kilometres per hour in a 100kph zone.

Three of the fines were issued on the same day — just his second in Australia.

"Can I just say that there is no excuse for this and I take absolute responsibility. I can only apologise," he told ABC Radio Melbourne.

"It is an indefensible omission on my behalf.

"I have to confess I don't … I didn't know a great deal about Victorian road rules. Clearly I've been more educated recently."

Mr Stephens said as soon as the infringement notices started to arrive, he referred himself to the MFB board and offered to resign.

"I felt it was the only right that I should do that," he said.

"The board elected not to take that [my resignation], it took a different view in relation to this particular issue."

Mr Stephens said he had found it "difficult to acclimatise" to Victorian road rules because the speed limit in built-up areas was faster than in the UK, but freeway speed limits were slower.

"I've well and truly learned my lesson. The last couple of days as you can imagine I've relocated 17,000 miles. My family are yet to join me.

"I still stand by [offering my resignation] … I feel I was honour-bound to take the position that I did."

Fines 'did not warrant dismissal', MFB board says

In a statement, the president of the MFB board, Jasmine Doak, said it had full confidence in Mr Stephen's leadership.

"While the board understands the gravity of speeding and its impact on road safety, we do not believe Dan's conduct warranted dismissal or acceptance of his resignation on this occasion," she said.

"As many of you have come to realise, Dan is a person of great integrity and takes his commitment to MFB and its people seriously.

"He is extremely disappointed in himself for what's occurred, but most importantly, he has acknowledged the behaviour and taken full responsibility for his actions."

Mr Stephens said he had developed a "strong and emotional" attachment to the MFB during his short time at the organisation.

"I would never want to do anything to damage that reputation," he said.

He said he had made significant inroads in his relationship with Peter Marshall, the head of the powerful firefighters union.

When Mr Stephens was appointed to the role, Mr Marshall accused the Victorian Government of "selling out" firefighters.

"He is an outstanding union official who does an excellent job on behalf of his members," Mr Stephens said of the union boss.

"I would like to think we've developed a good … I would like to say a strong working relationship."