Unlawful speed
Florida Statute § 316.183
Summary verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: October 13, 2026.
Quick Summary
A driver must keep speed reasonable and prudent for actual and potential hazards, even below the posted limit, and must obey the applicable maximum. Reduce speed appropriately for intersections, rail crossings, curves, hillcrests, narrow roads, weather, and other hazards. Excessively slow driving that blocks normal traffic is also prohibited unless needed for safety or legal compliance. Identify whether the violation is excessive measured speed, unsafe speed for conditions, or unlawful impediment; document the supporting conditions and applicable limit. Mandatory court date: an excess of exactly 30 mph qualifies under §318.19(5) when cited under §316.183(2), §316.187, or §316.189. The person must appear before the designated official at the scheduled hearing; ordinary payment or driver-school election under §318.14(4) or (9) is unavailable. See the dedicated Speeding 30+ MPH over limit — mandatory court hearing entry.
Summary sources
Classification, Points & Penalties
Classification, Points & Penalties
- Category
- Speed
- Type
- Moving
- Civil / Criminal
- Civil
- Offense Classification
- Moving infraction
- Points
- 3 at 15 mph or less over; 4 above 15 mph; 6 if resulting in crash; qualifying school-camera enforcement carries no points
- Fine / Penalty
- Speed-based schedule under §318.18(3); school/construction/toll/enhanced-zone rules and court 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
- Required at 30 mph or more over the limit for violations of §316.183(2), §316.187, or §316.189 under §318.19(5); appear at the scheduled hearing
- 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.