10 Fun and Informative Facts for New Florida Drivers
Getting your driver’s license in Florida? Congrats! Whether you’re a teenager or an adult new to the road, driving in the Sunshine State comes with its own unique quirks and conditions. Below are 10 fun yet useful facts – from weird wildlife encounters to important laws – that will help you navigate Florida’s roads safely and confidently. Let’s dive in!
1. The Sunshine State Can Blind You (Wear Those Sunglasses!)
Florida is nicknamed the Sunshine State for a reason – bright sun is an everyday occurrence. All that sunshine can lead to serious windshield glare, especially during sunrise and sunset. A good pair of polarized sunglasses and using your sun visor aren’t just fashion or afterthoughts, they’re essential for safe driving. Sun glare can momentarily blind you and has caused many preventable crashes. So keep shades handy and always take extra care when driving east in the morning or west in the late afternoon. Nice weather can be as tricky as bad weather when it comes to visibility!
2. Afternoon Downpour? Headlights On, Hazards Off!
Florida’s weather is full of surprises – a sunny morning can turn into a torrential afternoon thunderstorm in minutes (especially in summer). Fact: If your windshield wipers are on, your headlights must be on – it’s Florida law. This helps other drivers see you in heavy rain. However, one thing you shouldn’t do in a downpour is turn on your hazard flashers while moving. It’s actually illegal to drive with hazard lights on in Florida rain, and it confuses other drivers. If rain is so heavy that you feel unsafe, don’t put on your flashers and keep going – instead, pull over to a safe spot until it eases up. And of course, never drive into flooded roads during our hurricane-season deluges (turn around, don’t drown!). Florida’s sudden storms demand caution, but with patience and lights on, you’ll weather them just fine.
3. Watch for Wildlife on the Roads (Yes, Even Gators and Panthers)
Panther crossing signs in south Florida remind drivers to slow down for wildlife.
One of the cool (and kinda crazy) things about Florida is our wildlife. New drivers are often surprised that “deer crossing” signs here might be for alligators or panthers! In rural or swampy areas, it’s not unheard of to encounter an alligator crossing a backroad or see black bear warning signs. Florida’s state animal, the endangered Florida panther, also roams in certain areas – and sadly, many are hit by cars each year. In 2024 alone, 26 panthers were killed by vehicle collisionsTo protect both yourself and these animals, always heed wildlife crossing signs and speed limits in those zones. Fun fact: The stretch of I-75 across the Everglades is literally called “Alligator Alley” because gators used to frequently sun themselves on the roadway! There are now fences and underpasses along it to help critters cross safely. Bottom line: stay alert, especially near woods, wetlands, or at dawn/dusk when animals are active. You never know when you might have to yield to a family of ducks, a wandering gator, or even a panther on the move.
4. Toll Roads Are Everywhere – Get a SunPass
Don’t be surprised if a short drive in Florida involves a toll booth or two. Florida LOVES its toll roads – from the Florida Turnpike to city expressways – and many of them no longer accept cash. The easiest way to deal with this is to get a SunPass. SunPass is a prepaid toll transponder that sticks on your windshield and lets you pay tolls electronically at highway speeds. It even gives you about a 25% discount on toll rates compared to paying cash.With a SunPass, you can breeze through the “SunPass Only” lanes and avoid those “Toll-By-Plate” bills in the mail. (If you don’t have a SunPass, some tolls will just bill your license plate, often with extra service fees.) They’re cheap to buy (around $5 for the sticker version) and can be found at many pharmacies or online. Given the number of toll roads and bridges here – including Alligator Alley, parts of I-4 around Orlando, and the many causeways – a SunPass will make your new driving life much easier.
5. Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Requirements
Here’s an adulting fact for new drivers: Florida law requires that you carry specific auto insurance, and you’ll need proof of it when you register a car. Florida is a “no-fault” state, meaning your own insurance pays for your injuries in a crash regardless of who is at fault. Every driver must have at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage on their vehicle.PIP covers your medical costs in a collision (up to the limit), and PDL covers damage you might cause to someone else’s property. Unlike many states, Florida doesn’t require bodily injury liability for most drivers (though it’s highly recommended to have it!). What does this mean for you? Before hitting the road, make sure you’ve got a Florida insurance policy meeting those minimums. Driving without the required insurance can lead to your license being suspended – not a fun way to start your driving journey. So cover your bases (and yourself) with the proper insurance, and keep a copy of your insurance card in the car.
6. Put That Phone Down – It’s the Law
We know it’s tempting to check that text or change the song, but Florida law says nope. As of 2025, Florida bans the use of handheld wireless devices while driving – meaning texting, emailing, or manually using your phone is illegal when you’re behind the wheel. In fact, texting while driving is a primary offense here, so police can pull you over if they see a phone in your hand. Also, if you’re in a school zone or active work zone, you must be completely hands-free (no holding the phone at all). The first ticket for texting can cost around $30 (plus court costs), and subsequent offenses get pricier with points on your license. Beyond the law, it’s just plain dangerous – Florida sees over a thousand crashes a week from distracted driving. So do yourself a favor: put the phone on Do Not Disturb, use Bluetooth or speaker if you must make a call, or pull over to use your device. That snap or text can wait until you’re parked – safety first!
7. Seatbelts Are Always in Style (Click It or Ticket)
This one’s not just advice, it’s the law: buckle up every time, everyone, every seat. Florida’s seatbelt law is a primary enforcement law, which means you can be stopped and ticketed solely for not wearing a seatbelt. All drivers and front-seat passengers, as well as all passengers under 18 years old, must wear a safety belt in a moving car. No exceptions for “just a short drive” or “my car has airbags” – if the car is moving, you need to be strapped in. If you’re 18 or older and riding in the backseat, legally you might not have to buckle up, but it’s strongly recommended (your risk of injury is drastically higher unbelted). Florida started its “Click It or Ticket” campaign years ago to raise awareness, and it’s paid off, but officers are still on the lookout for violators. Pro tip: as a new driver, get in the habit of reminding all your friends and passengers to buckle up before you start moving. You’ll keep everyone safer, and avoid getting a ticket on your record. Seatbelts save lives – in Florida about 41% of people killed in car crashes weren’t wearing one. Don’t become part of that statistic!
8. The Lovebug Invasion – A Uniquely Floridian Mess
A pair of lovebugs in Florida – these insects won’t hurt you, but they sure can mess up your car!
Here’s a quirky Florida fact that new drivers often find amusing (until they experience it): Lovebug season. Twice a year, usually late spring (April-May) and late summer (August-September), swarms of little black-and-red bugs (nicknamed lovebugs because they’re often coupled together) fill the air. They don’t bite or sting, but they do have an annoying habit of splattering all over your windshield, grille, and hood in massive numbers. And the worst part? Their guts are slightly acidic and can damage your car’s paint if left to bake in the sun. In fact, a really bad swarm can coat your car so thoroughly that your engine radiator might clog and overheat from all the bug goo! The best tips for dealing with lovebugs are: drive slowly through swarms (less splatter), clean them off ASAP (a quick wash or even a spray with water can help if you can’t do a full wash), and consider a good wax coat on the front of your car during lovebug season to protect the paint. It’s a rite of passage for Florida drivers to survive their first lovebug infestation. Don’t worry – it only lasts a few weeks, and then the lovebugs disappear as quickly as they came… until next time!
9. Florida Heat Is Tough on Cars (Check Your Battery & Tires)
Everyone knows Florida is hot, but new drivers might not realize how much the heat can affect your car. The intense heat and sun here can wreak havoc on vehicle components. For example, high temperatures speed up chemical reactions in your battery, causing it to wear out faster or even fail suddenly. If your car battery is a few years old, the Florida summer might be what finally kills it – so have it tested or replaced preemptively. Likewise, the hot weather and baking asphalt can degrade your tires. Underinflated tires plus scorching roads = a recipe for blowouts. You’ll want to check your tire pressure regularly (tires lose or gain pressure with temperature swings) and make sure your tread is in good shape. Also, keep an eye on your engine temperature and fluids: Florida heat can strain your cooling system, so ensure your coolant (antifreeze) is topped up and your radiator is working properly. Parking in shade or using a sunshade can protect your interior from sun damage and keep the car a bit cooler (bonus: you won’t burn your hands on the steering wheel!). In short, treat your car kindly in hot weather – a little preventive maintenance will save you from getting stranded on a sweltering roadside.
10. Teen Drivers Have a Curfew (Graduated License Law)
This one’s for the younger new drivers out there: Florida has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system that puts limits on 16- and 17-year-old drivers. If you’re 16 with a new license, you are not allowed to drive between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM unless accompanied by a licensed driver age 21+ or traveling for work. Once you turn 17, the curfew extends a bit – no driving between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM (same exceptions for work or with a 21+ adult). So, no midnight solo joyrides with your friends until you’re older! These rules are there to keep teen drivers safe, since late-night driving can be riskier. Also, during your first year with a license (under 18), you generally can’t have more than one under-18 passenger in the car unless a 21+ adult is with you (this helps reduce distractions). Make sure you and your parents are aware of all the teen driving restrictions – Florida will suspend your license if you violate the curfew or other GDL rules. The good news is, once you hit 18, these limits are lifted and you’ll have full driving privileges. Until then, plan those late outings accordingly (or recruit an older friend/adult if you really need a 2 AM Taco Bell run).