Florida’s traffic and transportation laws regulate the operation of motor vehicles and the use of public roadways to promote safety and orderly travel. These laws are primarily found in Chapter 316 of the Florida Statutes, known as the Florida Uniform Traffic Control Law, and they apply statewide to drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and commercial vehicles. Florida law requires drivers to be properly licensed, vehicles to be registered and insured, and traffic control devices to be obeyed. Violations such as speeding, reckless driving, running red lights, and driving under the influence (DUI) can result in fines, points on a driver’s license, license suspension, or criminal penalties depending on the severity of the offense.

Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning drivers are generally required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which pays for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused an accident. However, when injuries are serious—such as permanent injury, significant scarring, or death—injured parties may step outside the no-fault system and pursue a negligence claim against the at-fault driver. Florida law also imposes heightened duties on commercial drivers and public transportation providers, and it includes specific rules governing motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, school zones, and work zones, where penalties are often increased.

Transportation laws in Florida extend beyond private vehicles to include trucking regulations, public transit, aviation, railroads, ports, and boating, each governed by both state and federal standards. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) are responsible for enforcement, licensing, roadway design, and infrastructure maintenance. Together, Florida’s traffic and transportation laws aim to reduce accidents, protect public safety, and provide clear legal standards for resolving traffic violations and transportation-related disputes.