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Florida Statute 316.235 - Full Text and Legal Analysis Florida Statute 316.235 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
Fla. Stat. § 316.235 (2026) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Amendments
316.235 Additional lighting equipment.
(1) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two side cowl or fender lamps which shall emit an amber or white light without glare.
(2) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one running board courtesy lamp on each side thereof which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.
(3) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with one or more lamps or devices underneath the motor vehicle as long as such lamps or devices do not emit light in violation of s. 316.2397(1) or (7) or s. 316.238.
(4) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with one or more backup lamps either separately or in combination with other lamps, but any such backup lamp or lamps shall not be lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
(5) Any vehicle 80 inches or more in overall width, if not otherwise required by s. 316.2225, may be equipped with not more than three identification lamps showing to the front which shall emit an amber light without glare and not more than three identification lamps showing to the rear which shall emit a red light without glare. Such lamps shall be mounted as specified in this chapter.
(6) A bus may be equipped with a deceleration lighting system that cautions following vehicles that the bus is slowing, is preparing to stop, or is stopped. Such lighting system shall consist of red or amber lights mounted in horizontal alignment on the rear of the vehicle at the vertical centerline of the vehicle, no greater than 12 inches apart, not higher than the lower edge of the rear window or, if the vehicle has no rear window, not higher than 100 inches from the ground. Such lights shall be visible from a distance of not less than 300 feet to the rear in normal sunlight. Lights are permitted to light and flash during deceleration, braking, or standing and idling of the bus. Vehicular hazard warning flashers may be used in conjunction with or in lieu of a rear-mounted deceleration lighting system.
(7) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.
History.s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 27, ch. 76-31; s. 3, ch. 86-23; s. 185, ch. 99-248; s. 8, ch. 2016-239; s. 1, ch. 2019-92.

Civil Citations under F.S. 316.235

Driver's license points · R = revocation · S = suspension
§316.235EXCESSIVE LIGHTS (Back-up/Clearance) - Improper Operation
§316.235(1)Side Fender lamps improper
§316.235(2)Addition run board lamp improper
§316.235(3)Back-up light on going forward
§316.235(4)Additional ID Lamps Improper
§316.235(5)Deceleration Lamps Improper

Cases Citing F.S. 316.235

Copy

Ago (Fla. Att'y Gen. 1993).

Published | Florida Attorney General Reports

...ights on vehicles, "except as a means of indicating a right or left turn, to change lanes, or to indicate that the vehicle is lawfully stopped or disabled upon the highway or except that the lamps authorized in subsections (1), (2), (3), and (4) and s. 316.235 (5) are permitted to flash." 4 Section 316.2397 (3), F.S., in pertinent part, provides: Wreckers, mosquito control fog and spray vehicles, and emergency vehicles of governmental departments or public service corporations may show or displa...
...y motor vehicle. And see, AGO 81-41, in which this office concluded that a municipality may provide law enforcement protection on all roads within the municipality where the public has the right to travel by motor vehicle. 3 Section 316.002 , F.S. 4 Section 316.235 (5), F.S., provides that a bus, as defined in s....

This Florida statute resource is curated by Florida Bar member Graham W. Syfert, a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney (Florida Bar No. 39104). Attorney Syfert regularly handles Chapter 316 matters in the context of traffic and automobile accident law and represents clients throughout Northeast Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.