Florida Travel Tips

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Special wheelchairs with balloon tires are provided free of charge at many Florida beaches for wheeling across the soft sand.

Photo Credit: David McRee, VISIT FLORIDA Beaches Expert

Heading to the Sunshine State? Read these helpful travel tips for accessibility, road travel, airport information and more.

As the nation’s top travel destination, Florida has extensive resources for travelers with special needs and some regulations you need to know when you visit the state. Here are but a few:

Getting Here

Major Roads in Florida: Interstates: 4, 10, 95, 75, 275, 295

Amtrak & Auto Train: Visit www.amtrak.com for an interactive map of Florida stops. Auto Train travels between Lorton, Va., and Sanford.

Major Airports:

• Pensacola Regional
• Jacksonville International
• Orlando Sanford International
• Orlando International
• Tampa International
• Sarasota Bradenton International
• Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International
• Miami International
• Palm Beach International
• Daytona Beach International
• Southwest International/ Fort Myers
• Key West International
• Melbourne International
• Northwest Florida Beaches International

Road Rules

Speed Limits

• Interstates: 70 mph
• Four-lane highways: 65 mph
• Other state highways: 60 mph
• Business/residential districts: 30 mph
• School zones: 10-20 mph

Move Over Act

On a two-lane roadway, you are required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit.

If the speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, you must slow down to five miles per hour.

If you are driving on an interstate or roadway with multiple lanes of travel in the same direction, and you approach an emergency or law enforcement vehicle parked along the roadway, you must vacate the lane closest to that vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you are not able to safely move over, you must slow down to a speed of 20 MPH below the posted speed limit unless directed otherwise by a law enforcement officer.

Seat Belts

The Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law (effective June 30, 2009) requires drivers and passengers to fasten their safety belts.

Car Seat Regulations

Every operator of a motor vehicle driven on Florida roads must provide for the protection of any child, 5 years of age or younger, by using a crash-tested, federally approved car seat.

For children up to 3 years old, the restraint must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat or a seat belt may be used. For passengers age 6 through 17 years, a seat belt must be used while riding in a motor vehicle.

Accessibility Regulations, Resources and Rentals

Disabled Parking Permits Section 316.1958 Florida Statutes provides that motor vehicles displaying a license plate or parking permit issued to a disabled person by any other state or district subject to laws of the United States shall be recognized as a valid plate or permit. Information is at www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/disabled_pkg.html

International travelers who have parking permits in their own country can purchase a temporary permit from any local tax office for $15. Information is at www.floridataxcollectors.com.

Directions for applying for a permanent or temporary permit are as follows.

Application requirements for a regular or temporary permit by the disabled person:
A.    The application for the disabled person parking permit must be completed.
B.    Proof of the disability must be indicated on form HSMV 83039, certifying authority's Statement of Certification section.
C.    An additional permit may be issued to a disabled person who qualifies as a frequent traveler or as a quadriplegic as follows:
A frequent traveler must indicate on the application form that they frequently travel by plane, train, bus or boat and need one permit to park their vehicle at the place of departure and another one to use at their destination.
D.    FEES: There is no charge for a four year disabled person parking permit.

Temporary Permit may be issued up to 6 months: $15.00 regardless of the number of days for which it is issued. No subsequent permit is allowed. An additional temporary permit may be issued with a new completed form.

Application requirements for a temporary parking permit by a citizen (visitor status) of another country:
A.    A copy of the visitor’s current out-of-country parking permit.
B.    Proof of identification such as a passport or comparable identification to verify ownership of the out-of-country parking permit. A Florida driver license or ID card is not required.
C.    FEES: A temporary Permit may be issued up to 6 months: $15.00 regardless of the number of days for which it is issued. No subsequent permit is allowed.

Diabetic Assistance

The American Diabetes Association offers information on traveling with diabetes, as well as a list of hospitals that offer services to diabetic travelers. 800-DIABETES, www.diabetes.org.

Dialysis Centers

The Dialysis Finder’s web site lists center locations and maps by Zip code. 866-889-6019, www.dialysisfinder.com.

Scooters/Wheelchair Rental

D-CARE Medical Equipment offers wheelchair and scooter rental, oxygen and other medical equipment. 800-741-2282, www.caremedicalequipment.com.

Scootarounds are available in many Florida cities. 888-441-7575, www.scootaround.com.         

Beach Wheels

Look through our visitor information listings within each region for destinations that offer beach wheelchairs and other services or information for the physically disabled. Unlike regular wheelchairs, these “beach wheels” have special tires that don’t get stuck in sand. Beach chairs are often provided at no charge and are available to anyone unable to walk or those who possess a handicapped automobile tag.