The pulse width modulated DC motor speed control circuit indirectly senses motor current using sense MOSFETs and a peak detector circuit with storage capacitor for deriving an average motor current signal. The average motor current signal is used both in the feedback loop of the pulse width modulated speed control circuit and also in the motor shutoff or clutch circuit. The clutch circuit shuts off power to the motor when a user-settable torque is reached. The motor speed control circuit is therefore adapted for use in hand-held DC power tools such as screwdrivers and nutdrivers which stop rotation at a predefined torque.