Driver license the official handbook

The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
  
5  
.................................................................................................PREPARING TO DRIVE: YOUR VEHICLE
Anti-Lock Brake System 
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) 
prevents skidding and allows drivers 
to steer during an emergency 
braking situation. ABS can help 
improve vehicle stability, steering 
ability, and stopping capability.
It is important to know if you have 
ABS because it will affect the way 
you should stop in an emergency 
situation. With conventional 
brakes,
 you pump the brakes in 
order to stop in an emergency 
situation where traction is lost and 
the vehicle slides. However, drivers 
with ABS
 need to press down hard 
on the brake pedal, hold it, and 
steer out of danger. In an emergency 
situation, the ABS automatically 
pumps the brakes at a faster rate 
than the driver could. Removing 
steady pressure from the brake 
pedal or pumping the brakes will 
disengage or “turn off” the ABS.
You can determine if the car has 
ABS by looking for a lighted ABS 
symbol on the dashboard right 
after starting the engine, checking 
the owner’s manual, or asking the 
dealer.
Trailers, Towing, & Load
Equipment Requirements:
  • Trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer 
weighing 3,000 pounds or less: 
 
◆
 REAR—two reflectors, one at 
each side.*
 
 
◆
 A brake light if the trailer or 
load blocks the brake lights on 
the towing vehicle. 
  • Trailer or semitrailer weighing 
more than 3,000 pounds: 
 
◆
 FRONT—two clearance 
lamps, one at each side. 
 
◆
 EACH SIDE—two side 
marker lamps, one at or near 
the front and one at or near 
the rear. Two reflectors, one at 
or near the front and one at or 
near the rear.
 
◆
 REAR— two clearance lamps, 
one at each side, and two 
reflectors, one at or near the 
front and one at or near the 
rear.*
 
◆
 Brakes that can be operated 
by the driver in the towing 
vehicle. They must be 
designed and connected so 
that they will automatically 
stop the trailer if it breaks 
away from the towing vehicle.
  • Pole trailer weighing more than 
3,000 pounds: 
 
◆
 EACH SIDE—one side 
marker lamp and one 
clearance lamp. 
 
◆
 REAR—two reflectors, one at 
each side.*
*Every motor vehicle, trailer, 
semitrailer, and pole trailer must 
have two or more stop lamps (one 
stop lamp is permitted on vehicles 
built before January 1, 1972). 
Drawbar or Towing Connection
The drawbar or towing connection 
must:
  • be strong enough to pull all 
towed weight;

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©2017 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  • not be more than 15 feet long 
unless you are towing poles, 
pipes, machinery, or other 
objects that cannot be easily 
taken apart;
  • have a white flag at least 12 
inches square attached to it if it 
is chain, rope, or cable.
Securing the Load
You must not drive or move any 
loaded vehicle on the highway if the 
load is not secure. The load must 
not be able to drop, shift, leak, or 
otherwise escape.
  • You must use a close-fitting 
cover when hauling loads which 
could fall or blow onto the 
roadway (e.g., dirt, sand, gravel). 
  • Every truck carrying logs or 
pulpwood must use lock chains 
to securely fasten the load.
Projecting Load
A load that extends beyond the sides 
of a vehicle more than four feet or 
more beyond its rear must be clearly 
marked. During the day, red flags 
at least 18 inches square must mark 
the extremities of the load.
From sunset to sunrise, and during 
any rain, smoke, or fog:
 
• two red lamps on the back of 
the load which can be seen from 
at least 500 feet to the rear;
  • two red reflectors on the rear 
which can be seen from 100 to 
600 feet when directly in front 
of low beam headlights, and 
located to show the load’s full 
width; 
  • one red lamp on each side of the 
load, visible from at least 500 
feet to show maximum overhang 
of load.
If the trailer or motor vehicle is 
transporting logs, long pulpwood, 
poles, or posts that extend more 
than four feet beyond the rear of 
the load, you must have one amber 
strobe-type lamp equipped so that 
the lamp is visible from the rear and 
both sides of the projecting load. 
The lamp must be operational and 
seen any time of day or night.
Passenger vehicles must not be 
driven on any highway with a load 
extending beyond the fenders on the 
left side of the vehicle or extending 
more than 6 inches beyond the line 
of the fenders on the right side.
Slow Moving Vehicle
Farm vehicles designed for 
operation at speeds less 
than 25 mph must display 
this sign on the rear 
when using public highways (not 
limited access/interstates Also these 
vehicles can only be operated during 
daylight hours unless equipped with 
the proper lights/reflectors required 
for night driving.

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The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
  
7  
PREPARING TO DRIVE: YOU—THE DRIVER
Driving an automobile is a huge responsibility. In order to drive safely, 
you must be fully engaged: hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and your 
mind on driving. Anything that affects your physical or mental condition 
can impair your ability to drive. 
Physical Conditions
It is important that you get regular vision, hearing, and general physical 
check-ups. Get treatment for illnesses and avoid driving when sick. 
Remember that whenever you are prescribed medication, you should ask 
your doctor or pharmacist how it can affect your driving.
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Do not drive 
when you are tired. It is risky to drive drowsy because fatigue (being sleepy) 
can:
  • slow down your thought processes and reaction time;
  • affect your judgment and vision; 
  • impair your senses and abilities; 
  • cause micro-sleeping (“nodding off”) or falling completely asleep.
The two main causes of drowsy driving are lack of quality/quantity of sleep 
and driving at times of the day when you would normally be sleeping. 
Avoid driving drowsy!
 1.  Don’t drive at times when you would normally be asleep.
 2.  Get a good night’s sleep before you travel.
 3.  On long trips, take a break every 100 miles or 2 hours.
 4.  If you think you might fall asleep—find a safe place to stop and take a 
nap.
 5.  Use the “buddy system” and switch drivers when needed.
Emotions
Emotions can have an effect on driving safely. You may not be able to drive 
well if you are worried, excited, crying, angry, or depressed. Emotions can 
distract you from your driving because your mind is “somewhere else.” 
Your emotional state can alter the way you react—or overreact—to driving 
situations. Take time to calm down and get focused before driving. 

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