Equipment
Search names, statutes, classifications, penalties, points, and enforcement notes.
12 offenses
Air pollution equipment / excessive visible exhaust emissions
Florida Statute § 316.2935(2)-(3)
On public roads or streets, covered gasoline-powered vehicles may not emit visible exhaust for more than 5 continuous seconds; motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, and specified federally exempt imported vehicles are excluded from that emissions rule. Diesel vehicles have the same duration threshold, except during acceleration, lugging, or deceleration. Operating a vehicle with unlawfully tampered pollution-control equipment is also prohibited; equivalent replacement equipment is allowed. Document fuel type, duration, operating conditions, and the altered device, applying relevant DEP rules. These operating violations are civil nonmoving infractions; knowing/willful sale or certification violations under subsection (1) have separate criminal penalties and are outside this entry.
Brake equipment violation
Florida Statute § 316.261
Highway vehicles generally need service brakes adequate to control, stop, and hold the loaded vehicle, effective parking brakes, and brakes on all wheels. A trailer at 3,000 pounds or less qualifies for the all-wheel exception only if its wheel-supported weight is no more than 40% of the towing vehicle's weight and the combination meets stopping-performance rules. Heavier trailers generally need automatic breakaway brakes that remain applied at least 15 minutes. Record vehicle/combination weights, brake type, failed component, and the relevant age, equipment, towaway, or vehicle-class exception before applying a technical requirement.
Defective brakes
Florida Statute § 316.263
All brakes must be kept in good working order and adjusted to operate as equally as practicable on opposite sides of the vehicle. Identify the actual defect or unequal operation, such as an inoperative wheel brake or faulty adjustment, rather than merely stating that the vehicle has bad brakes. Distinguish maintenance defects under this section from missing required equipment under §316.261 and stopping-performance requirements under §316.262.
Excessive bumper height
Florida Statute § 316.251
For covered vehicles with net shipping weight no more than 5,000 pounds, measure ground to bumper bottom. Private-car front/rear maxima are 22/22 inches below 2,500 pounds, 24/26 from 2,500 to under 3,500, and 27/29 at 3,500 or more. Truck maxima are 24/26 below 2,000, 27/29 from 2,000 through 3,000, and 28/30 above 3,000 through 5,000. Confirm weight/class and statutory exclusions for new vehicles, antiques, horseless carriages, and street rods; a lift kit alone is not the violation.
Excessive sound from vehicle
Florida Statute § 316.3045
A motor-vehicle operator or occupant on a street/highway may not operate/amplify a sound device so its sound is plainly audible at least 25 feet from the vehicle, or louder than needed for occupants in areas adjoining homes, churches, schools, or hospitals. Record the source, location, audibility/distance, and applicable measurement standard. Required/permitted horns and necessary official emergency/law-enforcement communication devices are excepted. This concerns amplified/device sound, not the separate exhaust-noise rules; local lawful restrictions may be stricter.
Horn/warning device violation
Florida Statute § 316.271
A highway motor vehicle needs a working horn audible under normal conditions from at least 200 feet. Horns/warning devices may not be unreasonably loud or harsh or emit a prohibited whistle; use a horn when reasonably necessary for safety. Sirens, whistles, and bells are generally restricted to statutory authorizations, with separate emergency-use, theft-alarm, and trolley exceptions. Document the device, audibility or improper sound/use, vehicle authorization, and whether an exception applies.
Illegal/modified exhaust
Florida Statute § 316.272
Motor vehicles need a continuously operating exhaust system—including muffler, manifold pipe, and tailpiping—in good working order to prevent excessive or unusual noise. Using a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device on a highway is prohibited. The engine and power mechanism must also prevent excessive fumes or smoke. Document the defective or bypassed equipment, observed noise, or escaping fumes/smoke; a modified appearance alone does not establish a violation. A numerical noise allegation must use the applicable regulatory decibel limit and measurement procedure. This section is a civil nonmoving violation.
Mirror violation
Florida Statute § 316.294
A vehicle, including one towing another, must have a mirror positioned to give the driver a view of the highway at least 200 feet behind the vehicle. Assess the actual available view, including obstruction by a trailer or load, and document a missing, damaged, or poorly positioned mirror that prevents it. This section does not require a particular number of mirrors when the required rearward view is otherwise provided; tint-related side-mirror rules are separate.
Motor vehicle noise violation
Florida Statute § 316.293
Total vehicle noise may not exceed the class/year-specific limit measured under approved procedures, ordinarily 50 feet from the lane center. For 1979-and-newer ordinary vehicles the limits are 72 dBA where the speed limit is 35 mph or less and 79 above; motorcycles use 78/82, and qualifying 1975-and-newer vehicles rated at least 10,000 pounds use 86/90. Older classes have different limits. Separately, exhaust/noise-control modifications may not make a highway vehicle louder than originally manufactured. Record the applicable class, measurement or modification evidence, and any emergency, competition, testing, construction, or agricultural exception.
Obstruction to driver's view/control
Florida Statute § 316.2004
A driver may not operate with a load or front-seat occupants obstructing the forward/side view or interfering with the controls. Passengers also may not position themselves to obstruct the driver's view/control. Signs, posters, or other nontransparent material on specified windows violate the section when they materially obstruct the view of the highway or an intersecting highway. Describe the actual obstruction and affected view/control; the mere presence of an object or sticker is not enough without the statutory effect.
Unsafe vehicle / defective equipment
Florida Statute § 316.610
A highway vehicle may not be operated in a condition endangering people/property or without legally required equipment in proper condition. Identify the specific danger or equipment requirement and the observable defect. An officer with reasonable cause may require an appropriate inspection/test. If continued operation would probably be unduly hazardous, require immediate repair or removal from use; otherwise the statute calls for written repair notice within 48 hours, excluding Sunday, for the described nonhazardous defects. Cosmetic damage alone is not automatically unsafe equipment.
Windshield and wiper requirements
Florida Statute § 316.2952(1), (3)-(4)
A motor vehicle operated on public highways, roads, or streets must have a fixed, upright windshield with federally compliant safety glazing; motorcycles and implements of husbandry are excepted from that windshield requirement. Windshields must have driver-controlled moisture-cleaning equipment, and wipers must work. Document the missing or defective required equipment. Check the grove-equipment, specified electric-vehicle, and department-approved former-military-vehicle exceptions and their conditions in subsections (5)-(6). For windshield signs, coverings, and sunscreen material, use the separate section 316.2952(2) entry in Window Tint.