Laws

Emergency Contact Information for Drivers

This service will allow you to provide contact information to law enforcement in the event of an emergency. This information may save crucial time if ever it becomes necessary to contact family members, or other loved ones. This service is only available to individuals holding a current Florida Driver License or Florida Identification Card. To sign up for this service, access this link:   https://www6.hsmv.state.fl.us/dlcheck/findcustomer
 

Florida Driver's License

In 2006, 12 percent of the total U.S. resident population were people age 65 and older (37 million). While in Florida, 17 percent of our total population (18 million) were 65 years an older (3 million).

Across the U.S., there were 30 million older licensed drivers in 2006 — which is an 18 percent increase from 1996 and older drivers made up 15 percent of all licensed drivers in 2006, compared with 14 percent in 1996. In Florida according to 2006 data, 17 percent of our licensed drivers are 65 years and older which is a 22 percent increase from 1996 data.

Some states have shortened the time span between renewal periods for a license based on the driver’s age. Other states issue restricted licenses to drivers based on individual capabilities (only daytime driving, only driving a designated number of miles from home, etc.).

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), Division of Driver's Licenses has a Web site devoted to all licensing issues, such as licensing requirements that can be accessed at this link: http://www.flhsmv.gov/html/dlnew.html

The DHSMV's web site includes a section on frequently asked questions about licensing and vision and medical issues that can be accessed at this link: http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/dlfaqson2.html

Medical Advisory Board

The purpose of the Medical Advisory Board (MAB) is to assist the DHSMV in determining whether a person is qualified to be licensed. Section 322.125, F.S. states that the MAB shall advise the DHSMV on medical criteria and vision standards relating to the licensing of drivers and can be accessed at this link: 
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0322/SEC125.HTM&Title=->2007->Ch0322->Section 125#0322.125

Move Over Law

Florida drivers are required to "move over" or "slow down" when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle that is stopped on our roadways. Read more about this law and how you are required to react on the different types of roadways (i.e., interstate, two-lane) by accessing this link:  http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/misc/MoveOver.htm

Pedestrian and Bicycle Laws

FDOT summarizes Florida's traffic laws that pertain to pedestrians that can be accessed at this link: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/ped_bike/laws/ped_bike_pedLaws.shtm 

FDOT's summary of traffic laws for bicyclists and motorists can be accessed at this link: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/Safety/ped_bike/laws/ped_bike_bikeLaws1.shtm 

Section 316.2065, F.S. regarding bicycle regulations can be accessed at this link: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC2065.HTM&Title=->2007->Ch0316->Section 2065#0316.2065

Bicycle and pedestrian research reports can be accessed at this link: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/ped_bike/ped_bike_reports.shtm

Other tips for motorists regarding sharing the roads with bicycles can be accessed at this link: http://www.sharetheroad.org/motorists/motorists.htm

Privacy

Under state law, your motor vehicle and driver license records are subject to public disclosure. The Driver Privacy Protection Act keeps your personal information private by limiting who has access to the information. More details can be accessed the DHSMV Web site at this link:  http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/DPPAInfo.html

Right Turn on Red

According to Section 316.075(1)(c)(1)(a), F.S, a driver may make a right turn on red only after coming to a full stop after yielding to pedestrians and other road users unless there is a NO TURN ON RED sign posted. This law applies to red arrows as well as circulator red indications and can be accessed at this link: 
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC075.HTM&Title=->2007->Ch0316->Section%20075#0316.075

Three Foot Bike Passing

According to Section 316.083, F.S., drivers of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle must pass at a safe distance at least 3 feet between their vehicle and the bicycle. Read the details of this law at this link:  http://leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC083.HTM&Title=->2007->Ch0316->Section 083#0316.083

Vision Requirements

All Florida drivers who are 80 years of age or older and who are in the process of renewing their driver license are required to pass a vision test. This test may be administered at a driver license office at no cost to you. Read more about the vision requirements on the DHSMV web site that can be accessed at this link:  http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/vision/index.html

What Florida law says about ...

The Florida Highway Patrol has a web site with some helpful descriptions of other Florida driving laws that can be accessed at this link:  http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/html/Floridalaw/fllaw.html.

Links with a .pdf extension require Adobe Acrobat to view them.
Download this free software by clicking here:  Adobe - Adobe Reader download