Bicycle lighting violation at night
Florida Statute § 316.2065(7)
Summary verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: October 1, 2026.
Quick Summary
Between sunset and sunrise, a bicycle needs a front white lamp visible from at least 500 feet and both a rear red lamp and red reflector, each visible from 600 feet. Extra lighting does not replace the required devices. Document time, equipment, and visibility. An officer may warn or cite, and the court must dismiss a first charge on proof of purchase and installation of proper lighting; this is ordinarily a pedestrian-penalty violation.
Summary sources
Classification, Points & Penalties
Classification, Points & Penalties
- Category
- Bicycle
- Type
- Non-Moving
- Civil / Criminal
- Civil
- Offense Classification
- Traffic infraction
- Points
- 0 — pedestrian/bicycle operation
- Fine / Penalty
- $15 base pedestrian/bicycle penalty; statutory exceptions and costs may apply
Base fines are not the total payable amount. Costs, enforcement method, crash consequences, prior history, and court disposition can change penalties or points. A reported zero does not rule out license suspension or revocation.
Court & Enforcement
Court & Enforcement
- Mandatory Court
- No, generally
- NTA Eligible
- N/A — civil citation
- Custodial Arrest
- No — civil infraction (absent separate lawful basis)
NTA means notice to appear. Eligibility is conditional; these fields do not independently authorize arrest. Confirm the exact statutory track, lawful arrest authority, traffic procedure, and agency policy.
Arrest authority guideCivil infractions resulting in death or serious bodily injury require a hearing under §318.19.