Driving in Florida: Essential Tips for Your Vacation Rental Stay

Driving in Florida – everything you should know. If you want to rent a car for your next Florida vacation, you can find the most important points to keep in mind here.

European drivers are simply not familiar with some of the traffic rules in the U.S. and in Florida. For example, you may turn right on red as long as there is no strict “No Turn on Red” sign posted and you yield the right of way. There are stop signs with an additional note “4-Way,” which means you must follow the order in which vehicles arrived. That means the first vehicle to arrive at the intersection gets to go first, then the next one.

In addition, there are many school zones where an absolute speed limit must be observed, which is usually 20 miles per hour. Sometimes school hours are highlighted on warning signs with a yellow flashing light.

Stopped school buses generally may not be passed when schoolchildren are getting on or off. Oncoming traffic must also comply, unless the lanes are separated by a median.

A special note: In Florida, drivers may pass on both sides, meaning on the right and on the left. Be especially careful when changing lanes.

The Florida Highway Patrol keeps a pretty close watch. They are often hidden behind signs, buildings, or hedges and monitor traffic. If a driver is caught violating a law, the police will follow with flashing lights. At that point, pull over at the next safe opportunity and wait in the car for the officer. You may not leave the vehicle unless instructed to do so, and your hands should remain on the steering wheel.

Important traffic rules

In the Sunshine State of Florida, seat belts are required for both the driver and the front passenger. Children who are no older than four years old must use a child safety seat. Be sure to follow the posted speed limit!

On the highway, the limit is usually 55 to 70 miles per hour. If there is a police stop on the shoulder, other drivers must move over into the passing lane.

No stopping is allowed at the curb or in a tow-away zone – towing happens quickly here. You should always carry your driver’s license and vehicle documents with you.

Alcohol behind the wheel – very important

Drinking and driving is a very expensive mistake, and it can even end in jail; it doesn’t matter that the driver is a tourist (0.8 per mille). The law is very strict. As early as the next day, the traffic offender is brought before the local judge, who then sets a specific bail amount. The next step is a court date.

Even having an open alcoholic beverage, full or empty, is a criminal offense. And that applies not only to the driver, but also to all passengers. The only way to transport alcohol in a vehicle is in the trunk.

Parking in Florida

Amusement parks, shopping malls, and supermarkets have their own free customer parking – you can usually find a spot without any trouble.

In downtown areas and at the beaches, parking is usually paid. Here you must buy a parking ticket at the meter, which costs between $0.25 and $1 per hour – in South Beach even $4. Make sure you do not exceed the time on your paid parking ticket, as the fines are very high, or if you’re unlucky, your car may be towed or booted.

There are parking garages or gated lots where you pay between $5 and $20 per day. Keep 3 meters (about 9.8 ft) away from fire hydrants.

Parking tips:

• Hotels, for example in Miami South Beach, offer their own valet parking – you can save money by parking your car yourself in a parking garage instead.
• Always carry enough coins for parking tickets.
• For lots where you pay per day, don’t take the very first one – a few meters farther, the price difference can already be $5 to $10.

Getting gas in Florida

The big difference: You pay before pumping – in cash or by credit card. You can pay by credit card right at the pump or in cash at the register, but in advance. That means: First pay at the register, then your pump is activated for the amount you paid.

When paying at the pump with a credit card, you’ll be asked for a ZIP code – just enter 00000. Prices are listed per gallon (3.785 liters). Sometimes the pump handle latch has to be flipped up; after that, you can start pumping. If you paid too much in cash and your tank is already full, you’ll get your change back.

Tip: Use the Gas Guru app to quickly and easily find the cheapest gas station near you!

Tolls and Florida’s toll system “Toll”

In Florida, there are numerous toll roads that are specifically marked on traffic signs. You can find an overview of the toll roads on Wikipedia.

How much are tolls in Florida?

To get an overview of how much a trip on a toll road costs, there is an online toll calculator here that shows the respective costs and accepted payment options.

Pay-by-Plate

Well-known car rental companies usually offer an in-vehicle – fee-based! – toll system that is automatically activated. When you drive through each toll plaza, your license plate is recorded (Pay-by-Plate), and the toll is then charged when you return the rental car. The advantage: You don’t have to wait in traffic at the gate.

Alternative – SunPass

As a common and more affordable alternative to automatic Pay-by-Plate billing, purchasing a SunPass has proven effective. Here you buy a prepaid sticker that is loaded with a certain dollar amount and is automatically debited each time you go through a toll. The advantage: You not only get a 25% discount on toll roads, but you also save the additional toll-system fees on your rental car.

By now, SunPass is also popular with car rental companies themselves. For an additional fee or a weekly flat rate, you can add this service.

SunPass Mini

The SunPass Mini is a credit-card-sized transponder that is stuck to the vehicle’s windshield as a sticker. It can only be used on one vehicle and is destroyed when removed.

SunPass Portable

The SunPass Portable is a transponder that, unlike the SunPass Mini, can be used in multiple vehicles and also on motorcycles. However, each time you switch vehicles, the license plate must be updated online.

Where can you buy SunPass?

• Publix – supermarkets
• CVS Pharmacy
• AAA (American Automobile Association)
• Navarro Discount Pharmacy
• Sedano’s
• Amscot – The Money Superstore

Cash – paying at the booth

With cash usage declining and automation increasing, the trend for quite some time has been that many roads have already switched to digital tolling. Paying cash at the booth has therefore become more the exception than the rule. It is strongly recommended that you pay close attention to the road signs before entering the road to see whether cash is still accepted at all.