Florida Driving Laws (2026): Speed, Phone, Insurance, Tax

Florida driving laws: speed limits

The highest speed limit in Florida is 70 mph. Rural interstates are posted at up to 70 mph and urban freeways at up to 65 mph.

On busy roads such as I-95 and I-75, posted limits are frequently below 70 mph, especially through Jacksonville and in work zones.

You must also keep a speed reasonable for weather and traffic, even under the limit.

In short, under Florida driving laws: max speed limit, 70 mph.

Florida driving laws: cell phone and texting law

Yes for calls, no for texting. Florida prohibits texting behind the wheel for all motorists, but adults may still use a hand-held phone to make calls.

Texting while driving is a primary offense, and hand-held phone use is banned in school zones and active work zones.

Texting bans cover each driver in Florida, but using a hand-held phone during a call is still permitted for adults.

At a glance, under Florida driving laws: phone law, texting ban only.

Florida driving laws: driving age and teen licenses

In Florida, teenagers can get a learner's permit at 15 and a provisional license at 16, which still restricts night driving and passengers.

To qualify for the road test, permit holders in Florida need 50 hours (10 at night) of supervised driving.

In short, under Florida driving laws: learner's permit age, permit at 15.

Florida driving laws: minimum car insurance

Florida requires $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 of property damage liability. Bodily injury liability is not mandatory for the majority of motorists.

Florida requires $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 of property damage liability. Bodily injury liability is not required for the majority of drivers.

Florida is a no-fault state: your own PIP pays your medical bills first following a crash, and lawsuits against the other driver are limited to serious injuries.

Also mandatory in Florida: personal injury protection (PIP).

The legal minimum rarely covers a serious crash, since medical bills plus a replacement car can pass $20,000 fast.

Consumer groups suggest at least 100/300/100, as costs beyond the policy can be taken from your savings.

At a glance, under Florida driving laws: car insurance, pIP + 10k PD.

Florida driving laws: car sales tax

Florida collects a 6% state sales tax on car purchases, and local taxes may come on top.

Most counties add a discretionary surtax, which applies only to the first $5,000 of the price.

• A $18,900 car in Florida: roughly $1,134 in state tax
• A $33,350 car in Florida: about $2,001 in state tax
• A $55,000 car in Florida: about $3,300 in state tax

A trade-in reduces the Florida driving laws: a $30,000 car with a $5,000 trade-in owes around $1,500 instead of $1,800.

In short, under Florida driving laws: car sales tax, 6%.

Florida driving laws: car inspection and emissions

No. Florida does not require periodic safety inspections or emissions tests for passenger vehicles.

Out-of-state vehicles need a VIN verification when first titled in Florida.

With no regular safety check in Florida, maintaining brakes and tires in shape is the owner's job.

In short, under Florida driving laws: car inspection, no regular inspection.

Florida driving laws: license and registration deadlines for new residents

After moving to Florida, you have 30 days to get a Florida driver's license, and 10 days to register your car.

Step-by-step list for Florida driving laws

• Get a Florida driver's license: 30 days. Take an ID document, your Social Security number and two proofs of address when you visit the Florida HSMV (through county tax collectors) (REAL ID laws).
• Set up car insurance that meets the minimum: Florida requires PIP + 10k PD. Coverage is usually needed before registration.
• Inspection: No periodic inspection, though a VIN check may be needed for an out-of-state car.
• Register and title your car: 10 days at the county tax collector.

The clock generally starts once you begin a job, sign a lease or enroll children in school in Florida, not on the day the boxes arrive.

In short, under Florida driving laws: new resident deadline, 10 days.

Florida driving laws: motorcycle helmet law

Only for riders under 21. In Florida, motorcycle riders 20 and younger are required to wear a helmet; riders 21 and older can legally go without one. Whether you are on I-95 close to Jacksonville or on I-4, the law does not change.

Riders 20 and younger must wear a helmet under the Florida driving laws; from age 21 it becomes optional.

Riders 21 and older can ride without a helmet if they carry at least $10,000 in medical benefits coverage.

Federal safety data show that helmets cut 37% of rider deaths, and 41% of passenger deaths.

Any helmet worn to meet the law carries the DOT label at the rear; novelty helmets without it are not legal.

At a glance, under Florida driving laws: helmet law, under 21.

Florida driving laws: lane splitting

No. Riding between lanes are not allowed in Florida. Each motorcycle gets its own full lane, and motorcyclists cannot ride between cars or split traffic.

Without a law that allows it, Florida driving laws counts as improper passing or an unsafe lane change, and a crash while splitting can undercut the rider with insurers.

At a glance, under Florida driving laws: lane splitting, not permitted.

Where the Florida driving laws stand out

• PIP + 10k PD (car insurance), among the lower 2 in the US

On the roads of Florida

Most long trips use I-95, I-75 and I-4, which tie together Jacksonville, Miami and Tallahassee. Every one of these roads is covered by Florida driving laws.

Driver's licenses are issued by the Florida HSMV (through county tax collectors), and registration and titles go through the county tax collector.

Every rule on this page applies statewide, from Jacksonville to small towns.

Across the border

• Alabama: 2% for car sales tax, against 6%; car insurance 25/50/25 (vs. PIP + 10k PD); helmet law All motorcyclists (vs. Under 21)
• Georgia: 7% for car sales tax, against 6%; 25/50/25 for car insurance, against PIP + 10k PD; All motorcyclists for helmet law, against Under 21