Failure to maintain lane
Florida Statute § 316.089(1)
Summary verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: October 1, 2026.
Quick Summary
On a roadway with clearly marked lanes, a vehicle must remain as nearly as practicable within one lane and may leave it only after the driver determines the movement can be made safely. Document the markings, actual lane departure, traffic or other safety consequences, and circumstances affecting practicability, such as an obstruction. Apply the statutory safety and practicability qualifications rather than treating every touch of a lane line as automatically unlawful.
Summary sources
Classification, Points & Penalties
Classification, Points & Penalties
- Category
- Lane Use
- Type
- Moving
- Civil / Criminal
- Civil
- Offense Classification
- Moving infraction
- Points
- 3
- Fine / Penalty
- $60 base moving penalty; speeding/enhanced-zone schedules may differ
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.