Driver license the official handbook

The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
  
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1. Preparing to Drive: Your Vehicle
 
2. Preparing to Drive: You—the Driver
 
3. Occupant Protection
 
4. Traffic Controls
 
5. Driving Safely
 
6. Sharing the Road
 
7. Special Driving Situations
 
8. Handling Emergencies
 
9. Your Driving Privilege
 
Part 1–Driving in Florida

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©2017 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

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The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
  
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Getting Ready to Drive
Before you start your engine:
  • be sure vehicle is in park or neutral.
  • adjust the seat so you can reach all controls.
  • adjust all rear-view mirrors so that you can use them without having to 
lean forward or backward.
  • move anything that blocks your view of mirrors or roadway.
  • lock all car doors.
  • put on your seat belt and make sure all passengers do the same.
Equipment Standards
The equipment on your car must meet certain standards. You may be 
stopped at any time by law enforcement for a vehicle inspection. 
Required Equipment
Brakes 
Two braking systems. Each must be able to stop the car 
alone. The parking or emergency brake should be strong 
enough to hold the car on any hill. 
Low Beam Headlights Show objects 150 feet ahead. Visible from 1,000 feet.
High Beam Headlights Show objects 450 feet ahead.  Visible from 1,000 feet.
Taillights
Two red taillights. Visible from 1,000 feet.
Brake lights
Two red brake lights. Visible from 300 feet in the daytime.
License Plate Light 
White light that makes the plate visible from 50 feet.
Directional Signals
Amber or white (front) or red (rear). Visible from 500 feet.
Horn  
Heard from a distance of 200 feet.
Mirrors
At least one rear-view mirror with view 200 feet to the rear.
Windshield Wiper
In good working order to clear the driver’s view.
Windshields*
Must be safety glass and may not be covered or treated with 
any material that makes the windshield reflective or non-
transparent. Must be free of any stickers not required by law.
Side  & Rear Windows* May not be composed of, covered by, or treated with 
any material which has a highly reflective or mirrored 
appearance and reflects more than 25% of the light (side 
windows) or more than 35% of the light (rear window).
Tires
Should have visible tread of at least 2/32 of an inch across 
the base with no worn spots showing the ply.
PREPARING TO DRIVE: YOUR VEHICLE
*See FS §316.2953 and FS §316.2954 for details on window tint restrictions. 

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©2017 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Equipment NOT Permitted
Red lights visible from front or blue lights. 
For emergency/law enforcement vehicles only.
A siren, bell, or whistle.
A very loud muffler (heard from more than 50 feet) or one that emits smoke.
Signs, posters, or stickers on the windshield or windows (except if required by law).
A television that the driver can see.
More than two spotlights, cowl or fender lights, fog lights, or other extra lights.
Headsets/headphones worn by driver while operating a vehicle.
Bumper Height Requirements
Owners of automobiles and pickup 
trucks are required to have both 
front and rear bumpers mounted 
within certain height levels. Height 
limitations are governed by the 
net shipping weight of the vehicle, 
not the modified or altered weight. 
The maximum allowable heights 
between the pavement and bottom 
of the front and rear bumper are:
Vehicle Weight 
Front  Rear
Cars < 2500 lbs.
22 in. 22 in.
Cars 2500–3499 lbs.
24 in. 26 in.
Cars 
≥ 
3500 lbs.
27 in. 29 in.
Trucks < 2000 lbs.
24 in. 26 in.
Trucks 2000–3000 lbs.
27 in. 29 in.
Trucks 3000–5000 lbs.
28 in. 30 in.
EMISSIONS CONTROL DEVICES
It is illegal to tamper with, remove, or cause not to 
work any pollution control device on your vehicle. 
Tampering will damage your vehicle and can 
cause increased air pollution, lower gas mileage, 
less vehicle efficiency, breathing difficulties.
Keep Your Car in Good 
Condition 
Brakes:
 Check to see that the pedal 
stays well above the floor when you 
step on it. If the car pulls to one 
side when you use the brakes or if 
you hear any scraping or squealing 
noises, your brakes may need to be 
repaired.
Lights:
 Replace burned-out bulbs 
and keep lenses clean. 
Tires:
 Inspect often for proper 
inflation/tire pressure, even tread 
wear, and damage.  
Windows and Windshields:
 Keep 
the glass clean inside and out.
Rear window:
 If the rear 
window is covered by or treated 
with any material that makes it 
nontransparent, the vehicle must be 
equipped with side mirrors on both 
sides that allow the driver a view to 
the rear of at least 200 feet.
Read
 Your Vehicle Owner’s 
Manual!
 It is an excellent resource 
for information specific to your 
vehicle, such as: what types of fluids 
your car requires, what dashboard 
warning lights mean, what your car 
services intervals are, and more.
 

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