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Driving in Florida

The rules foreign visitors most often get wrong — with the official source for every fact. Always verify directly before you drive.

Key rules

Max rural interstate speed
70 mph [1]
Right turn on red
Permitted after full stop (unless signed otherwise) [1]
Seatbelt enforcement (front)
Primary enforcement [2] (as of 2009-06-30)
Handheld phone
Banned for novice drivers / in specific zones [3]

Handheld banned only in school/work zones; texting primary statewide

Texting while driving
Banned [3] (as of 2019-07-01)
Min liability — bodily injury per person
$0 [4]

Florida is a no-fault state — NO bodily injury liability required unless DUI/taxi

Min liability — bodily injury per accident
$0 [4]

See no-fault note above

Min liability — property damage
$10,000 [4]

PIP $10K + PDL $10K required

Motorcycle helmet
Required for some riders (see notes) [5]

Under 21 required; 21+ exempt with $10K medical insurance

Move-over law
Yes — required to move over / slow for emergency vehicles [6]
Studded tires
Prohibited (limited emergency exceptions) [7]

FS §316.299 — metal studded tires prohibited

Marijuana in vehicle
unverified See notes — verify with the state authority.

Recreational illegal; medical only — verify direct at flhsmv.gov

Primary resources for Florida

Sources

Every claim above links to its numbered source here. If a link is broken, or you believe a fact is outdated, please let us know.

  1. [1] FLHSMV — Obeying the Speed Limit — FLHSMV · accessed 2026-04-23
  2. [2] FLHSMV — Buckle Up Florida: It's the Law (Dori Slosberg Law) — FLHSMV · accessed 2026-04-23
  3. [3] FLHSMV — Wireless Communications While Driving (texting ban eff. 2019-07-01) — FLHSMV · accessed 2026-04-23
  4. [4] FLHSMV — Insurance Requirements (no-fault / PIP/PDL) — FLHSMV · accessed 2026-04-23

    Florida is a no-fault state; no BI liability minimum required

  5. [5] FLHSMV — Helmet Exemption (21+ with $10K med ins) — FLHSMV · accessed 2026-04-23
  6. [6] NHTSA — Move Over, It's the Law — NHTSA · accessed 2026-04-23
  7. [7] FL Stat §316.299 — Metal Studded Tires Prohibited — Florida Legislature · accessed 2026-04-23