Improper signal lamps/devices
Florida Statute § 316.234
Summary verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: October 1, 2026.
Quick Summary
Stop lamps must activate with the foot brake, emit red or amber, and be visible at least 300 feet behind in normal sunlight. Turn signals must flash on the turning side, with white/amber to the front and red/amber to the rear; required visibility is 500 feet for vehicles at least 80 inches wide and 300 feet for narrower vehicles. Covers may not alter those visibility requirements. Record lamp function, color, operation, vehicle width, and observation distance.
Summary sources
Classification, Points & Penalties
Classification, Points & Penalties
- Category
- Lighting
- Type
- Non-Moving
- Civil / Criminal
- Civil
- Offense Classification
- Nonmoving infraction
- Points
- 0
- Fine / Penalty
- $30 base nonmoving penalty; offense-specific penalties/court costs 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.