If you’re traveling to Florida, there are certain laws your need to be aware of!

In the United States, every state has a different set of laws, and Florida is no exception to the rule. No one wants to deal with legal issues during a long-awaited Disney World vacation, so we have a list of the most important laws you won’t want to break!

Driving in the Rain

Something that’s pretty much synonymous with Florida is rain, which can happen almost daily and at times, quite suddenly. And if you find yourself driving during a rainstorm, the law requires you to turn on your headlights!

According to Florida Statute 316.217, drivers must turn on their headlights (and taillights, by default) in rain, smoke, or fog, even if it’s raining while the sun is out. That’s right — this law applies to both daytime and nighttime!

Also, note that you are prohibited from turning on your hazard lights while driving in the rain, which many people do when driving in a downpour. The only time you’re allowed to turn on your hazards is if you pull over to the side of the road.

The “Move Over” Law

Most drivers know to pull over when an emergency vehicle is approaching from behind, but one Florida law also requires drivers to “move over” one lane to accommodate a variety of pulled-over vehicles, including “stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, and utility service vehicles, tow trucks or wreckers, and maintenance or construction vehicles with displayed warning lights.”

What happens if you can’t move over? Don’t stress — but make sure you slow down to a speed that’s 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. If the speed limit is 20 miles per hour or under, you should slow down to 5 miles per hour.

Cell Phones While Driving

In Florida, there is no law that prohibits drivers from talking on a cell phone while driving, including both hand-held and hands-free options, although you cannot type in a phone number or choose a contact (we’ll get into that). Only commercial truck drivers are prohibited from using any cell phone device while driving.

Texting while driving, however, is illegal. According to the law, texting is defined as “manually typing” as well as “sending or reading data,” so if you’re reliant on your GPS you may want to invest in some hands-free options, or hand the phone safely over to a passenger. If you have to make a call, you probably want to rely on voice commands.

It is also prohibited to hold a wireless device in your hand in a work or school zone.

Cannabis Laws

While medical marijuana is legal in Florida, recreational marijuana is NOT legal. According to Florida (and federal) law, marijuana is recognized as a Schedule 1 drug. That means if you don’t have Florida medical authorization, it’s best to leave your cannabis at home.

And while medical marijuana is permitted to Florida residents who fit certain eligibility criteria, it’s also illegal to obtain cannabis from a qualified medical marijuana patient. Also, keep in mind that Florida does NOT legally recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards and it’s currently illegal to transfer medical marijuana out of state, so even if you are a medical marijuana user, you probably want to leave your cannabis at home.

Feeding Wildlife

Don’t feed the alligators! We get it, it’s kind of a novelty to travel to a place where ALLIGATORS just exist in the wild, but according to Florida Statue 327.667, it’s illegal to feed alligators or crocodiles.

The reason for this law is that feeding alligators can cause them to lose their natural fear of humans, and instead start to associate humans with food, which you can probably guess is not a good thing.

In fact, as a general rule of thumb in Florida, don’t go near the water’s edge at any time, especially at dusk. Even if you don’t see them, there are many alligators hanging out in bodies of water in Florida. You’ll see signs around Disney World to remind you of this, just in case you forget.

If you want to be sure not to accidentally break any laws during your Disney World trip, we recommend checking out our links below:

• 5 Laws You Need to Know Before You Travel to Orlando 
• 7 Laws You Need to Know Before You Travel to Disney World 
• 5 Laws You Need to Know Before Your Travel to Florida Beaches

Keep following DFB for more Disney World news and updates!

Did any of these laws surprise you? Tell us in the comments!