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Florida Statute 316.262 - Full Text and Legal Analysis Florida Statute 316.262 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
Fla. Stat. § 316.262 (2026) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Amendments
316.262 Performance ability of motor vehicle brakes.—
(1) Every motor vehicle and combination of vehicles, at all times and under all conditions of loading, upon application of the service brake, shall be capable of:
(a) Developing a braking force that is not less than the percentage of its gross weight tabulated herein for its classification;
(b) Decelerating to a stop from not more than 20 miles per hour at not less than the feet per second per second tabulated herein for its classification; and
(c) Stopping from a speed of 20 miles per hour in not more than the distance tabulated herein for its classification, such distance to be measured from the point at which movement of the service brake pedal or control begins.
(2) Tests for deceleration and stopping distance shall be made on a substantially level (not to exceed plus or minus 1 percent grade), dry, smooth, hard surface that is free from loose material.
Classification of vehiclesBraking force as a percentage of gross vehicle or combination weightDeceleration in feet per second per secondBrake system application and braking distance in feet from an initial speed of 20 mph
APassenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 10 people or less including driver, not having a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating..........52.8%1725
BSingle unit vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less..........43.5%1430
C-1Single unit vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds..........43.5%1440
C-2Combination of a two-axle towing vehicle and a trailer with a gross trailer weight of 3,000 pounds or less..........43.5%1440
C-3Buses, regardless of the number of axles, not having a manufacturer’s gross weight rating..........43.5%1440
C-4All combinations of vehicles in driveaway-towaway operations..........43.5%1440
DAll other vehicles and combinations of vehicles..........43.5%1450
(3) 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. 2, ch. 87-225; s. 200, ch. 99-248.

Civil Citations under F.S. 316.262

Driver's license points · R = revocation · S = suspension
§316.262BRAKES - Improper type for vehicle—
§316.262(1)(a)Brake force improper type for vehicle—
§316.262(1)(b)Brake stop improper for gross weight—
§316.262(1)(c)Brake stop improper distance—

Cases Citing F.S. 316.262

Fla. Stat. § 316.262 (2026) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Amendments
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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

...mps), § 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 (air pollution control equipment), § 316.2937 (emissions standards),...
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Quote AuthorityOakes v. Collier County (2021)
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This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham 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.