20 questions from the Official Florida Driver License Handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. According to the handbook, what is the minimum tread depth required for vehicle tires?
Answer: 3/32 of an inch. The handbook states that tires must have a minimum tread depth of at least 3/32 of an inch.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 46: “Should have a minimum tread of at least 3/32 of an inch or greater, and no worn spots showing the ply.”
2. What is the minimum visibility distance required ahead when passing on hills or curves?
Answer: 500 feet. The handbook specifies that you must be able to see at least 500 feet ahead to safely pass on hills or curves.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 75: “◆ on hills or curves where you can’t see at least 500 feet ahead;”
3. What is the required stopping distance for bicycle brakes when traveling at 10 MPH?
Answer: Within 25 feet. The handbook specifies that brakes must stop the bicycle within 25 feet from a speed of 10 MPH.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 90: “Bicyclists must have brakes which can stop their bike within 25 feet from a speed of 10 MPH.”
4. When entering a road from a driveway or alley, who must you yield to?
Answer: Vehicles already on the main road, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The handbook requires drivers entering from a driveway to yield to traffic already on the main road as well as pedestrians and bicyclists.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 70: “Drivers entering a road from a driveway, alley, or roadside must yield to vehicles already on the main road, as well as to pedestrians and bicyclists on the sidewalk or in bike lanes.”
5. What is the minimum distance a truck or vehicle towing another vehicle must maintain behind another truck or vehicle in tow?
Answer: 300 feet. The handbook specifies a strict 300-foot following distance requirement for trucks and vehicles towing trailers.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 70: “A truck or any vehicle towing another vehicle must not follow within 300 feet of another truck or another vehicle in tow.”
6. What is the specific purpose of the center lane on a three-lane highway?
Answer: It is used only for turning left. The handbook clearly states that the center lane's sole function on these highways is for left turns.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 77: “The center lane of a three-lane or five-lane highway is used only for turning left.”
7. What is the minimum fine for passing a stopped school bus on the side where children enter and exit?
Answer: $465. The handbook specifies that while the general minimum fine is $265, passing on the side where children enter and exit increases the minimum fine to $465.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 35: “Minimum fine of $265, if you pass on the side where children enter and exit, you will receive a minimum fine of $465.”
8. What is the status of safety when entering a crosswalk once the countdown signal has started?
Answer: It is no longer safe to enter the crosswalk. The handbook states that once the countdown begins, it is no longer safe to enter the crosswalk.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 63: “Once the countdown starts and the hand is flashing, it is no longer safe to enter the crosswalk.”
9. When should older drivers avoid wearing sunglasses according to the handbook?
Answer: In dim or dark conditions. The handbook specifically advises avoiding sunglasses when lighting conditions are dim or dark to ensure proper visibility.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 41: “Avoid wearing sunglasses in dim or dark conditions;”
10. A 16-year-old licensed driver in Florida needs to drive home from work at 11:30 PM. Under what condition is this driving permitted?
Answer: The driver may drive alone because they are driving to or from work. The handbook allows a 16-year-old to drive alone between 11 pm and 6 am if they are driving to or from work.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 33: “A 16-year-old licensed driver may not drive between 11 pm and 6 am unless driving to or from work or accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older.”
11. How should a driver handle a situation where brakes become wet after driving in heavy rain and may not hold?
Answer: Slow down and gently push on the brake pedal. The handbook advises slowing down and gently applying the brake pedal to restore brake function after wet conditions.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 80: “If this happens, slow down and gently push on the brake pedal until your brakes are working again.”
12. Under what condition is a brake light required on a trailer weighing 3,000 pounds or less?
Answer: If the trailer or load blocks or hides the brake lights on the towing vehicle. The handbook specifies that a brake light is mandatory on lighter trailers only when the trailer itself obstructs the view of the towing vehicle's existing brake lights.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 49: “A brake light if the trailer or load blocks/hides the brake lights on the towing vehicle.”
13. What is the maximum number of moving traffic violation convictions allowed for a driver under age 18 within the 12-month learner's license period?
Answer: One. The rules allow for a single moving violation during the learner period, provided that the adjudication is withheld.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 16: “May have ONE moving traffic violation (within 12 months of learner’s license issue) if adjudication is withheld.”
14. How does Automatic High Beam technology determine when to switch between high and low beams?
Answer: By using photometric sensors or onboard cameras to detect lighting conditions and traffic. The handbook specifies that photometric sensors or onboard cameras are used to detect conditions that trigger the beam switch.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 48: “This technology, also known as semiautomatic beam switching headlamps, uses photometric sensors or onboard cameras to detect when to switch between high and low beams.”
15. When parking parallel to the curb, how far should the right-hand wheels be from the curb or side of the roadway?
Answer: Within 12 inches. The handbook specifies that wheels must be within 12 inches of the curb when parking parallel.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 73: “Park parallel to the curb in the direction of traffic, with right-hand wheels parallel to and within 12 inches of the curb or side of roadway.”
16. Within how many days of a DUI arrest must a driver appear at a BAR office to request a waiver review option for a restricted license?
Answer: 10 days. The handbook mandates that the driver must appear within 10 days of the arrest to elect the waiver review option.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 39: “To elect this option, the driver must appear at a BAR office within 10 days of the DUI arrest, and request the waiver review option and pay a non-refundable fee.”
17. What is the required coverage limit for Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) for injuries to two or more people in cases such as license suspension for excessive points?
Answer: $20,000. For specified suspension cases, the handbook lists the required BIL coverage for injuries to two or more people as $20,000.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 32: “The required coverage for these cases are $10,000 BIL for injuries to one person, $20,000 BIL for injuries to two or more people, $10,000 PDL; OR $30,000 combined single limits.”
18. In which scenario is a driver NOT eligible to elect to attend a basic driver improvement course for a non-criminal traffic citation?
Answer: When charged with exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 MPH. The handbook specifies that exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 MPH disqualifies a driver from electing to attend the course.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 25: “(You may not elect to attend if you were charged with exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 MPH.)”
19. Under what condition is a bicyclist permitted to use the full lane even if traveling slower than traffic?
Answer: When the lane is too narrow for both a car and bicycle to share. The handbook specifies that using the full lane is allowed when the lane width does not safely accommodate both vehicles side-by-side.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 89: “A bicyclist may use the full lane even while traveling below the speed of traffic if the lane is too narrow for both a car and bicycle to share.”
20. Why should you avoid using high beam headlights when following a commercial motor vehicle at night?
Answer: Bright lights will blind the driver when reflected off the side mirrors. High beams can reflect off the large mirrors of commercial trucks, temporarily blinding the driver and creating a hazard.
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, page 90: “Bright lights will blind the driver when they reflect of the CMV’s large side mirrors.”