Florida Driver's Handbook (2000 edition) :: Foreword

The Florida Driver's Handbook covers many condensed and paraphrased points of the Florida state laws and provides safety advise not covered in the laws. The handbook is not a legal authority to cite and should not be used in a court of law.

The Florida Driver's Handbook is printed in volume and copies already purchased will not reflect any changes made by the Legislature regarding fees or laws passed after the revision date.

THE DIVISION OF DRIVER LICENSES administers examinations to qualify persons to drive on Florida's highways. Its primary mission is to promote and maintain the highest possible driving standards on the streets and highways of the State of Florida and to remove unsafe drivers from the highways.

THE DIVISION OF FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL enforces all state laws pertaining to motor vehicles, patrols the state highway system to help ensure the safety of all drivers and implements the state traffic safety programs. Each trooper is always ready and willing to render assistance to the motoring public.

THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES regulates the sale and distribution of all motor vehicles and vessels in Florida. The division administers the sale of license plates through county tax collectors and authorized tag agents for every automobile, vessel, trailer, truck, mobile home, camper and motorcycle that operates on the public roads. In addition, it keeps records on every motor vehicle that is titled or registered in Florida and enforces mobile home construction standards.

THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION manages data processing for the agencies operating divisions.

THE DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES manages the functions of payroll, personnel, purchasing, data processing, accounting and fiscal operations and maintenance and repair of equipment for agencies operating divisions above.

DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE AND NOT A RIGHT. PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS BY KNOWING THE LAWS AND DRIVING SAFELY.

Public Records

Florida law and sound records management practices require the collection of certain personal information in the driver licensing process. This personal information identifies an individual and is used for records management, driver improvement, financial responsibility, and law enforcement purposes.

Failure to provide the required information will result in denial of a license or identification card. Falsification of information may result in prosecution. Florida law specifies that all documents or other material made or received in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency are public records. In addition to all documents, information taken from them is subject to public disclosure under the State's public records act. This information, except for medical data, which is confidential by law, is regularly given to law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, credit bureaus, lending institutions, and any other person who desires to obtain a copy and who pays the required fee.

The Division of Driver Licenses strives to ensure the accuracy of information obtained in the licensing process and makes every effort to correct any incorrect information in its files. Incorrect information may be corrected by supplying the Department with your name in full, date of birth, driver license number and information on the nature of the error as well as proof that it is an error to the Chief, Bureau of Driver License Records, Neil Kirkman Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0575, or telephone (850) 922-0927. Certain information, such as conviction reports received from a court, can only be corrected upon notification from the court that the report was in error.

Automobile Insurance information is exempt from the Public Records Law. This information will be provided to any party involved in a crash when a written request with a copy of the crash report is received. This information will also be provided to law enforcement agencies, officers of the court and representatives such as insurers and attorneys of parties involved in the crash, upon receiving a written request.

Warning

Under Section 322.212 (5), Florida Statutes, it is a FELONY of the third degree "to use a false or fictitious name in any application for a driver's license or identification card, or knowingly to make a false statement, knowingly conceal a material fact, or otherwise commit a fraud in any such application."

Violators face immediate arrest and, upon conviction, penalties up to a maximum fine of $5,000.00 and imprisonment up to 5 years.

The Department will suspend for one year the driving privilege of any person who made a fraudulent application for a Florida driver license.

Under Section 322.36, Florida Statutes, it is unlawful for any person to authorize or knowingly permit a motor vehicle or moped to be operated by any person who does not hold a valid driver license.

Definitions

business district: An area where 50% or more of the land next to the road is used for businesses.
bicycle: Every vehicle propelled solely by human power.
cancellation: The act of declaring a driver's license void and terminated.
certified copy: A copy which has been marked in some official way to show that it is a true copy of the original document. To get a certified copy of a document, you must contact the agency that issued the original document.
child restraints: Infant carriers or removable car seats specially designed to keep babies and young children from being injured in car crashes. A lap belt may be used as a restraint for children four years old or older.
conviction: A judgement of guilt in a court. In a driver's record, suspended sentences, forfeiting/estreatures of bonds, and pleas of no contest count against the driver just as a conviction does.
department: The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Tallahassee, Florida.
felony: A serious crime for which you can be sent to a state prison or receive a death sentence.
intersection: Where two streets meet or cross.
motor vehicle: Any self-propelled vehicle, including a motor vehicle combination, not operated upon rails or guideway, excluding vehicles moved solely by human power, motorized wheelchairs, and motorized bicycles as defined in Section 316.003, Florida Statutes.
pedestrian: Any person afoot.
resident: A person who has his principal place of domicile in this state for a period of more than six consecutive month, has registered to vote, has made a statement of domicile pursuant to Section 222.17, Florida Statutes, or has filed for homestead exemption on property in this state.
residential district: An area where most of the land next to the road is used for homes.
restriction: A prohibition against operating certain types of motor vehicles or a requirement that a driver comply with certain conditions when driving a motor vehicle.
suspension: The temporary withdrawal of a licensee's privilege to drive a motor vehicle.
vehicle: Every device, in, upon, or by which any person is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

DISCLAIMER

DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE AND NOT A RIGHT. PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS BY KNOWING THE LAWS AND DRIVING SAFELY.

Public Records

Warning

Definitions