Florida Traffic Laws?

nags said:
Well.. the reason I'm asking is because I got pulled over today while riding the 50's through the neighboorhood and the dumbass cop was spouting off some "new" laws that made no sense.. Didn't sound like he knew a thing as to what he was talking about.

Click to expand...

Well, what WAS he telling you?? I just looked through the 2003 Statues for you (http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Index&Title_Request=XXIII#TitleXXIII)

Some Definitions under Chapter 316 did change. 316 deals specifically with driving infractions though, IE Ticketable offenses. There are now speicific definitions there for Scooters, Motercycles, Bikes, and event hings like the Segueway thing.

However, looking through Chapter 322, which is specific to Drivers License requirements, the definitions, specifically those for a motorcycle have not changed. It still reads as it has for a while (At Least 10 years, which is when I got a citiation for using a 49cc bike):
(25) "Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle powered by a motor with a displacement of more than 50 cubic centimeters, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor or moped.

Under Chapter 320 (Vehicle License Tags):
Mopeds have Special Moped Plates now (and must be registered)
Same with motorcycles, BUT, 320's defiinition of a Motorcycle is different. 320 does NOT have the exemption for bikes under 50cc, so they have to have a tag in order to be driven on the street

(27) "Motorcycle" means any motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor or a moped.

(28) "Moped" means any vehicle with pedals to permit propulsion by human power, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels, with a motor rated not in excess of 2 brake horsepower and not capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed greater than 30 miles per hour on level ground, and with a power-drive system that functions directly or automatically without clutching or shifting gears by the operator after the drive system is engaged. If an internal combustion engine is used, the displacement may not exceed 50 cubic centimeters.

Basically if you were riding a PW50 through your neighborhood on the streets, then he could have given you a ticket for driving an unlicensed vehicle, but not one for not having a motorcycle llicense, among other things... Essentially, the minute you left your private property and went onto the street, it was illegal. This is pretty much how it's always been.... When I was 12-14 and lived in Spring Hill, we used to get stoped every great once and a while by a deputy while riding our dirt bikes. Usually he'd just ask if we were going home or out to the trails. If yes was the answer either way, we just get the 'ok, go on about your bussiness, but you know your supposed to ride them in the grass and not on the neighborhood streets....' Of course, that was almost 16-17 years ago.

Mark