Key points
You need at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability coverage.
Source: Handbook p. 23
“have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP AND a minimum of $10,000 in PDL coverage;”
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 23You must comply if your vehicle has been in Florida for 90 days during the last 365 days.
Source: Handbook p. 23
“You must comply if you own a motor vehicle that has been in the state for 90 days (consecutive or non-consecutive) during the last 365 days.”
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 23Carry proof of insurance (a card or electronic proof on a phone) whenever you drive.
Source: Handbook p. 23
“You must have the card (or electronic proof on a smart phone) with you when you’re driving.”
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 23To lift an insurance suspension, you must get insurance and pay a reinstatement fee of $150 to $500.
Source: Handbook p. 24
“In order to lift the suspension, you will have to get insurance and pay a reinstatement fee ($150 to $500).”
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 24Driving with a suspended license is a first degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Source: Handbook p. 24
“The officer may also take you to jail for driving with a suspended license, which is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.”
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 24Letting an unlicensed person use your car is an offense that can bring jail or a fine.
Source: Handbook p. 25
“Allowing an unlicensed person to use your car, or renting a motor vehicle to someone without a license.”
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 25Throwing up to 15 pounds of litter onto the road can bring a $100 fine.
Source: Handbook p. 27
“If you throw litter up to 15 pounds onto roadways, you can be fined $100.”
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 27New residents who take a job or enroll children in school must register their vehicle within 10 days.
Source: Handbook p. 37
“must obtain the registration certificate and license plate within 10 days after beginning employment or enrollment.”
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 37A muffler that can be heard from more than 50 feet is not permitted.
Source: Handbook p. 38
“A very loud muffler (heard from more than 50 feet) or one that emits smoke.”
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 38The horn must be heard from a distance of 200 feet.
Source: Handbook p. 38
“Horn Heard from a distance of 200 feet.”
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 38
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | minimum PIP and minimum PDL coverage | Handbook p. 23 |
| 90 days | days in Florida that trigger the insurance requirement | Handbook p. 23 |
| 365 days | look back period | Handbook p. 23 |
| $150 to $500 | insurance suspension reinstatement fee | Handbook p. 24 |
| $1,000 | fine for driving with a suspended license | Handbook p. 24 |
| 15 pounds | litter amount for the $100 fine | Handbook p. 27 |
| $100 | fine for up to 15 pounds of litter | Handbook p. 27 |
| 10 days | to register after starting work or school enrollment | Handbook p. 37 |
| 50 feet | a muffler heard farther than this is illegal | Handbook p. 38 |
| 200 feet | distance the horn must be heard | Handbook p. 38 |
| 3/32 inch | minimum tire tread | Handbook p. 38 |
3 questions from the Florida practice test
1. What can happen to a Florida driver who lets an unlicensed person drive their vehicle?
- A written warning
- A 60 day jail sentence and a $500 fine, and a one year suspension if the unlicensed driver causes injury or death
- Only a parking citation
- Nothing, the unlicensed driver alone is responsible
Show answer
A 60 day jail sentence and a $500 fine, and a one year suspension if the unlicensed driver causes injury or death. It is illegal to allow an unlicensed person to drive your vehicle, and doing so can result in a 60 day jail sentence and a $500 fine. If the vehicle is involved in a crash resulting in bodily injury or death, the person who permitted the unlicensed driving may also have their own license suspended for one year. The owner shares the consequences, so never hand the keys to someone without a valid license.
2. What civil penalty does Florida law set for dumping 15 pounds or less of litter from a vehicle onto a road?
- $150
- $1,000
- $25
- $5,000
Show answer
$150. Under section 403.413, dumping litter of 15 pounds or less, when not for commercial purposes, is a noncriminal infraction with a civil penalty of $150, and the court may also order the person to pick up litter. Older copies of the handbook still show $100, but the statute was amended. Dumping more than 15 pounds, up to 500 pounds, is a first degree misdemeanor that can bring a fine of up to $1,000, and when a motor vehicle is used, 3 points on the driving record. Even a single item counts as litter.
3. What does Florida's handbook say about a very loud muffler on a passenger vehicle?
- It is allowed after dark
- It is allowed on trucks only
- It is not permitted
- It is required for inspection
Show answer
It is not permitted. Florida lists equipment that is not permitted on a vehicle: red lights visible from the front or blue lights, which are for emergency and law enforcement vehicles only; more than two spotlights or extra lights; a siren, bell or whistle; and a very loud muffler. The muffler ban applies to all vehicles at all hours. Window tint is separately restricted by statute, and there is no vehicle inspection requirement that loud exhaust would satisfy.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with laws and paperwork questions from the free Florida practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Your Driving Privilege. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.