Florida speed limits and key traffic laws

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state Florida's default speed limits where no sign is posted.
• You can explain the basic rule that you must never drive faster than is safe.
• You can describe when school zone limits apply.
• You can apply the move over rule on multi-lane and two-lane roads.
• You can say when you must stop for a school bus and the one exception.

What you need to know and understand

• Unless signs say otherwise, the limit is 30 mph in business or residence districts and 55 mph elsewhere.
• Limited access highways can be posted up to 70 mph; other four-lane divided highways outside urban areas up to 65 mph.
• On interstates with four or more lanes the minimum speed is 40 mph, or 50 mph where the limit is 70 mph.
• School zone limits may not exceed 20 mph in urbanized areas and apply from 30 minutes before to 30 minutes after school arrival and dismissal times.
• Driving 50 mph or more over the limit, or 100 mph or more in a dangerous way, is the crime of dangerous excessive speeding.
• Move over a lane for stopped emergency, sanitation, utility, tow, road maintenance and disabled vehicles; if you cannot, slow to 20 mph below the limit (5 mph where the limit is 20 mph or less).
• Stop for a school bus showing its stop signal in both directions, unless you are on the opposite side of a divided highway with a 5-foot unpaved space, raised median or barrier.

Reasonable and prudent comes first

Florida's basic speed law says you may never drive faster than is reasonable and prudent for the conditions. You must slow down approaching intersections and railroad crossings, on curves and hill crests, on narrow or winding roads, and whenever pedestrians, traffic or weather create a hazard. Driving so slowly that you block normal traffic is also an offense, and you may never exceed a posted work zone limit.

Local governments may set 20 or 25 mph limits on residential streets after a study, so always read the signs.

Zones that change your speed

• School zones: the posted limit applies only during the times shown on the sign or while beacons flash. New or replaced school zones carry a Speeding Fines Doubled sign.
• Work zones: obey the posted limit at all times; workers may be just feet away.
• Speeding more than 15 mph over the limit carries 4 points instead of 3.

Move over, and stop for school buses

On an interstate or any road with two or more lanes in your direction, leave the lane next to a stopped emergency vehicle with lights on, a sanitation or utility truck at work, a tow truck with amber lights, a road crew vehicle with warning lights, or a disabled car showing hazards, flares or people. If you cannot move over safely, or you are on a two-lane road, slow to 20 mph under the posted limit, or to 5 mph where the limit is 20 mph or less.

When a school bus displays its stop signal, stop and stay stopped until the signal is withdrawn. Drivers going the opposite way on a divided highway with an unpaved space of at least 5 feet, a raised median or a physical barrier do not have to stop. A painted turn lane does not count. Our Florida move over and school bus guide goes deeper.

Common mistakes

• Keeping school zone speed only when children are visible. The limit applies during the posted times.
• Slowing only slightly for a stopped vehicle on a two-lane road. The law says 20 mph under the limit.
• Passing a stopped school bus across a painted center lane. Only an unpaved space of 5 feet or more, a raised median or a barrier creates the exception.

Test yourself: Florida speed limits and key traffic laws

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Florida Move Over Law and School Bus Stopping Rules Explained
• Florida Texting and Driving Law and Hands-Free Zones
• Florida 50 Hour Driving Certification