Car speed limits in Florida (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: The maximum limit is 30 mph in business or residence districts and 55 mph at all other locations; it is 70 mph on limited access highways and 65 mph on four-lane divided highways outside an urban area of 5,000 or more people. School-zone limits are between 15 and 20 mph around school arrival and leaving times, and speeding fines there are doubled. Speeding fines in a posted construction zone are doubled when workers are present.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Built-up areasPassenger car on public roads | 30 mph [1] |
| Outside built-up areas (single carriageway)Passenger car on public roads | 55 mph [1] |
| Outside built-up areas (dual carriageway or expressway)Passenger car on public roads | 65 mph [2] |
| MotorwaysPassenger car on public roads | 70 mph [2] |
| School zonesPassenger car on public roads | Posted school-zone limit of at least 15 mph (lower only by local regulation) and no more than 20 mph in an urbanised area. It applies from 30 minutes before to 30 minutes after pupils arrive and leave; speeding fines are doubled. [3] |
| Residential streetsPassenger car on public roads | 30 mph in residence districts; a county or municipality may set 20 or 25 mph on local streets after an investigation. [1] |
| Roadworks zonesPassenger car on public roads | Drivers may not exceed the posted limit in a work zone. The speeding fine is doubled in a posted construction zone, but only when construction workers are present or operating equipment on or next to the road. [4] |
Notes
- A county or municipality may set 20 or 25 mph on local streets in a residence district after an investigation.
- The Department of Transportation may set other limits on its roads after an engineering and traffic investigation, up to 60 mph on roads other than those in § 316.187(2)(a)-(b).
- Applies to a highway outside an urban area of 5,000 or more persons that has at least four lanes divided by a median strip.
- This is the maximum allowable limit on limited access highways.
- Signs show the times when the limit applies, or flashing beacons may be used instead. New or replaced school-zone signs include a 'Speeding Fines Doubled' sign.
Sources
- Florida Legislature: 316.183 Unlawful speed (Florida Statutes 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Florida Legislature: 316.187 Establishment of state speed zones (Florida Statutes 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- The Florida Legislature: 316.1895 Establishment of school speed zones, enforcement; designation (Florida Statutes 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- The Florida Legislature: 318.18 Amount of penalties (Florida Statutes 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
Florida and neighbouring states
| State | Built-up areas | Outside built-up areas (single carriageway) | Outside built-up areas (dual carriageway or expressway) | Motorways |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 30 mph | 55 mph | 65 mph (4 lanes, outside urban area) | 70 mph |
| Alabama | 30 mph (urban districts) | 55 mph | 65 mph (4+ lanes) | 70 mph |
| Georgia | 30 mph | 55 mph (all other areas) | 65 mph (multi-lane divided) | 70 mph rural, 65 mph urban |
More rules in Florida
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence (misdemeanour up to 20 g) · Growing at home: Prohibited, including for patients
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (after 12 months on a learner's licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner's licence)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: None (local may set)
- Fireworks
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Common pocketknife is not a 'weapon' · Locking or one-handed knives: Only ballistic knives banned outright
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.00 per hour (from 30 Sep 2026)
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Texting only · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Under 18 only
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21+ · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21+
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.