Driving In Florida

This page provides the basic rules of the road for driving in Florida.

Telephone Numbers
In an emergency dial 911.
If you require assistance or information during your stay in Florida call the Visit Florida 24 hour tourist assistance hotline on 800 656 8777.

Speed Limits
Speed limits are measured in miles per hour (MPH).

Rural interstates	70mph/112kph
Urban interstates	65mph104kph
Other limited access roads	70mph/112kph
Urban districts	30mph/48kph

Driving Tips and Road Information

Climate:
Hurricane season can affect Florida; it begins in August and ends in November.

Spring - Late March to May - Warm temperatures, tropical showers are likely.

Summer - May to September - Hot and humid, coastal regions do get cool breezes.  Thunderstorms can occur during the hot afternoons.

Autumn/Fall - September to November - Temperatures are warm but a lot more comfortable than in the summer months, and this period can be the driest if you avoid hurricanes.

Winter - December to Late March - Northern Florida sees the coldest temperatures, it is generally cold but snow is rare.
For up to date weather forecast information visit: http://www.wunderground.com/US/FL/

Alcohol laws:
You must be over 21 years to buy or consume alcohol in Florida. You must not carry opened alcohol containers in the passenger area of a vehicle.

Things to see

Orlando:

• Harry P Leu Gardens for the 2000+ varieties of camellia and 18th century mansion.
• Orlando Science Center , for the gator hole and Tunnel of Discovery.
• Orlando Museum of Art for Mayan archaeology.
• Walt Disney World for the Magic Kingdom Park , EPCOT Center , Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park .
• Universal Studios for exploring the world of film and cinematography.
• SeaWorld Orlando for getting close to marine life.
• Kennedy Space Center for the space technology, Astronaut Hall of Fame, Cape Canaveral .
• Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge for bird and wildlife.
• Blue Spring State Park to see the endangered manatees.
• Ocala National Forest for wildlife and outdoor pursuits.

Miami:

• Miami beach
• Art Deco Historic District
• South Beach
• The Promenade for fashion photo shoot backdrops.
• Holocaust Memorial.
• Little Havana

Requirements

Driving licences:
In the U.S.A you are not required to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you hold a valid driving licence, often you are required to have held your licence for a minimum of one year. In the U.S.A and Canada driving licence’s include the drivers photograph, so if you are from a country where this is not the case it is wise to also carry your passport to avoid any unnecessary complications or delays should you have to produce it.
If you are from the U.K. remember to take both parts of your driving licence (photo card and paper licence with the further details).

Child restraints:
Children of 3 years and below are legally required to be provided with an appropriate child restraint in a car, children aged between 4-5 years are allowed to be secured with an adult seat restraint if no alternative is available.

Useful Links and Further Information
If you are looking for car rental in Florida we recommend Hertz Car Rental.

Important Note: Each state has different driving laws, be sure to look up the individual laws. If you drive in the USA, remember that each of the 50 states has its own set of traffic laws and regulations. Fortunately, most of the laws are the same, but some states have slightly different rules. When you rent a car, you should ask the agent if there are any special driving rules in that state. When driving in multiple states, check a tour book for any special driving rules in each state.