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Florida Statute 316.251 - Full Text and Legal Analysis Florida Statute 316.251 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
Fla. Stat. § 316.251 (2026) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Amendments
316.251 Maximum bumper heights.—
(1) Every motor vehicle of net shipping weight of not more than 5,000 pounds shall be equipped with a front and a rear bumper such that when measured from the ground to the bottom of the bumper the maximum height shall be as follows:
NET WEIGHTFRONTREAR
Automobiles for private use:
 Net weight of less than 2,500 pounds22″22″
 Net weight of 2,500 pounds or more, but less than 3,500 pounds24″26″
 Net weight of 3,500 pounds or more27″29″
Trucks:
 Net weight of less than 2,000 pounds24″26″
 Net weight of 2,000 or more, but not more than 3,000 pounds27″29″
 Net weight of 3,000 pounds, but not more than 5,000 pounds28″30″
(2) “New motor vehicles” as defined in s. 319.001(9), “antique automobiles” as defined in s. 320.08, “horseless carriages” as defined in s. 320.086, and “street rods” as defined in s. 320.0863 shall be excluded from the requirements of this section.
(3) A violation of this section shall be defined as a moving violation. A person charged with a violation of this section is subject to the penalty provided in s. 318.18.
History.—s. 1, ch. 85-158; s. 7, ch. 86-36; s. 23, ch. 91-221; s. 196, ch. 99-248; s. 18, ch. 2002-235; s. 7, ch. 2008-176.

Civil Citations under F.S. 316.251

Driver's license points · R = revocation · S = suspension
§316.251BUMPER LAW - (Exclusions s.s.319.001(9), 320.08, 320.086, 320.0863)3 pts
§316.251(1)Maximum bumper heights/None (Bumper Law)3 pts

Cases Citing F.S. 316.251

Fla. Stat. § 316.251 (2026) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Amendments
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·Hilton v. State, 961 So. 2d 284 (Fla. 2007).

Cited 35 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 2007 WL 1932071

...alid basis for a stop: Although the law does not require vehicles to be equipped with air conditioners or radios, the supreme court as easily could have made its point with hypothetical examples that clearly do fall within chapter 316. For instance, section 316.251(1) provides that "[e]very motor vehicle of net shipping weight of not more than 5,000 pounds shall be equipped with a front and a rear bumper such that when measured from the ground to the bottom of the bumper the maximum height shall...
0 red0 yellow25 green0 procedural
Cited as authority(citing case) (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityVolpe (2023)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Hilton v. State, 901 So. 2d 155 (Fla. 2d DCA 2005).

Cited 16 times | Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 30 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. D 453

...Doctor, 596 So.2d at 447. Although the law does not require vehicles to be equipped with air conditioners or radios, the supreme court as easily could have made its point with hypothetical examples that clearly do fall within chapter *164 316. For instance, section 316.251(1) provides that "[e]very motor vehicle of net shipping weight of not more than 5,000 pounds shall be equipped with a front and a rear bumper such that when measured from the ground to the bottom of the bumper the maximum height shall...
0 red0 yellow6 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityPaul (2008)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityZarba (2007)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityHilton (2007)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Murray v. Briggs, 569 So. 2d 476 (Fla. 5th DCA 1990).

Cited 5 times | Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal | 1990 WL 139625

...Cespedes, 468 So.2d 417, 421 (Fla. 3d DCA), rev. denied, 479 So.2d 117 (Fla. 1985). Florida does have a statute requiring a bumper limiting clearance to thirty inches on trucks; however, the statute only applies to light weight trucks and contains *481 no strength requirement. § 316.251, Fla....
0 red1 yellow2 green0 procedural
DistinguishedHoover (2002)
phrase: "distinguishing"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2012)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2012)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Classy Cycles, Inc. v. Bay Cnty., 201 So. 3d 779 (Fla. 1st DCA 2016).

Published | Florida 1st District Court of Appeal | 2016 Fla. App. LEXIS 14507

..., § 316.217 (when lighted lamps are required), § 316.220 (headlamps), § 316.221 (tail-lamps), § 316.222 (stop lamps and turn signals), § 316.2395 (headlamps), § 316.2396 (driving lamps), § 316.241 (sale or use of approved lamps or equipment), § 316.251 (maximum bumper height), § 316.261 (brake equipment), § 316.262 (performance ability of brakes), § 316.263 (maintenance of brakes), § 316.271 (horns and warning devices), § 316.272 (exhaust system), § 316.293 (noise), § 316.2935 (ai...
0 red0 yellow1 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityOakes (2021)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham W. Syfert, a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney (Florida Bar No. 39104). Attorney Syfert regularly works with Chapter 316 in the context of traffic and automobile accident law and represents clients throughout Northeast Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.