Guide to Florida Parking Laws

Parking fines are an annoying but unavoidable part of city life for many Florida residents.  While Florida parking laws are largely determined by each individual municipality, some FL parking laws remain the same throughout the state.  This guide will explain Florida parking laws so that you can understand your rights and responsibilities under the law.  If you need help getting out of a parking ticket, you may need to consult a Florida parking ticket attorney in order to better understand how FL parking laws apply to you.

Who Has To Pay?

In general, Florida parking laws require the owner of the vehicle to pay all parking tickets.  However, according to FL parking laws, if you are the owner of a car and have evidence that someone else was driving your car at the time of the parking violation, you may be able to give an affidavit to police about this evidence.  You are not responsible for paying any parking fines according to Florida parking laws if your car has been reported stolen or was being driven by someone without your permission.

When Do I Need to Pay?

The traffic ticket you are issued will contain instructions on how long you have to pay according to local and Florida parking laws.  FL parking laws do not contain criminal penalties for parking fines, but if you are late in paying your fine, you may see your fees double and you may have collection penalty fees added to your fine amounts.  If your ticket goes into collections (this can happen as soon as 14 days after you have been ticketed, according to Florida parking laws), your credit score may be impacted and you could have difficulty applying for home or car loans or credit cards.

Where Can I Pay My Ticket?

While the exact ways that you can pay a ticket vary depending on where you were ticketed, most Florida municipalities offer multiple ways to pay for your parking violation.  In many cases, you will be able to simply mail an envelope back with your payment.  Some cities now allow people to pay for their violations of FL parking laws online.  Online payments with a credit card or debit card make it substantially more convenient for many people to pay their parking tickets.  In some cases, there may be an extra charge for using an online service to pay your parking ticket.

Can I Contest My Ticket?

While people charged with violating FL parking laws are usually guilty, sometimes you may have a reason for contesting a parking ticket.  Talking to a traffic ticket attorney in Florida can help you assess whether you have a case and whether it's worth fighting your parking ticket.  If you believe you were improperly assessed with a parking fine, Florida parking laws give you a limited amount of time to respond to your ticket.  If you do not respond to the ticket in time, according to FL parking laws, you have waived your right to contest any penalties.  The amount of time you will have to make this response will be included on your original ticket.

If you are seeking a Driver’s license for classes A, B and C, you must adhere to the procedures set by the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.  This includes taking the permit practice test for Louisiana as well as fulfilling requirements for vision, identification and driving skills.

One may receive a full driver’s license only after turning 18, though you may obtain a learner’s permit and eventually a graduated license at the age of 15.  To apply at this age the applicant must have parental consent, proof of identity, such as a birth certificate and proof of social security, which will be demonstrated by having a social security card.  Proof of residency will also need to be established before proceeding with the vision test, written test and eventually, the road test. 

A learner’s license will cost a $15 application fee, a $13.50 fee for the license and an $8.00 service fee for a total of 36.50.  This license will be valid for 4 years.

Like other states, the permit practice test for Louisiana will test knowledge of traffic laws as well as road signs and signals so the Louisiana Driver’s Guide for Classes D and E will be a critical resource when preparing for the test.  You can find this guide online and the Department of Public Safety website.

permit practice test Louisiana/practice permit test Louisiana

The Hawaii and driving test questions and answers listed below serve as a great start for studying for your driver’s test.  You should study your Hawaii driving test questions as much as possible before taking your driving tests, and you should also reference as many resources as you can.  Apart from the Hawaii driving test questions below, you should also travel to your local Hawaii DMV and pick up a hard copy of the state’s driver’s manual.  If you have any questions about any Hawaii driving test questions, you should considering asking a responsible adult like a driver’s education instructor, parent, or teacher for help.  

Examples of Hawaii Driving Test Questions

Question

What will happen if the weight on a vehicle’s trailer hitch is too small?

Answer

The trailer will have an increased chance of fishtailing. 

Question

Under Hawaii law, how many feet must you initiate your turn signal before changing lanes?

Answer

You must signal at least 100 feet before changing lanes.

Question

What should you do if you need to read a map or change the coordinates on your GPS?

Answer

You should pull over to the side of the road in a safe place and read the map or change the GPS.

Question

In Hawaii, how soon can you renew your license before it expires?

Answer

You may renew your license up to 6 months before it expires.

Question

In Hawaii, all motor vehicles operated on public roads must have an official Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection (PMVI) every…?

Answer

You must pass an inspection every year in Hawaii. 

Question

In Hawaii, all traffic accidents must be reported to the police if they result in property damage that amounts to what?

Answer

You must report an accident if it causes $3,000 or more in property damage?

Question

What is the minimum age to obtain a driver’s license in the state of Hawaii?

Answer

You must be 17 years old to obtain your license in Hawaii. 

Question

A yellow, diamond-shaped sign with two lines and the right line moving toward the left line means what?

Answer

The right lane is going to end up ahead. 

Question

The numbers of accidents are more common for what kind of age group?

Answer

Accident are more common for people under the age of 20.  

Question

If you’re not wearing your seat belt and are involved in a serious accident, how many times more likely will the accident result in death because of being thrown from the 

vehicle?

Answer

You are five times more likely to experience a fatality if you’re not wearing your seatbelt. 

Question

What lane should you travel in if you’re moving slower than the rest of traffic?

Answer

You should travel in the lane farthest to the right when possible. 

Question

What are considered to be defense driving technique?

Answer

You should always stay alert, maintain an appropriate following distance, have an alternate plan of action in case something unexpected happens, and keep your eyes moving in order to be aware of traffic situations around you and ahead of you at all times.  

 

The Florida driving test questions listed below serve a great starting point in studying for your driver’s test.  You should study as much as possible for your Florida driving test questions, and you should also reference as many resources as possible when studying.  Apart from the Florida driving test questions below, you should also travel to your local DMV and pick up a hard copy of the state’s driver’s manual.  If you have any questions about any Florida driving test questions, you should ask a responsible adult for help such as a driver’s education instructor, a parent, or teacher.  

Examples of Florida Driving Test Questions

Question

What does a yellow, triangular sign pointing left indicate?

Answer

The sign states there is a no-passing zone ahead. 

Question

What does a sign which reads restricted lane ahead with a white diamond inside of a black space mean?

Answer

The sign means the lane is reserved for certain purposes or certain vehicles like vehicles that car pool. 

Question

What does a large blue sign with a large white H symbolize?

Answer

The sign indicates that there is a hospital ahead. 

Question

What does a yellow, diamond-shaped sign with the word DIP in the middle mean?

Answer

The sign indicates that you should slow down and watch for a low place in the road. 

Question

What does a yellow, diamond-shaped sign with a bicycle in the middle indicate?

Answer

The sign lets drivers know that there is a bikeway crossing on the roadway up ahead. 

Question

What does a white sign with an arrow going around to the right of a barrier entail?

Answer

The sign indicates there is a divided highway up ahead. 

Question

What does a yellow, diamond-shaped sign with the words “Soft Shoulder” indicate?

Answer

The sign warns drivers that the shoulder is unsafe and the shouldn’t leave the pavement.  

Question

What happens if you refuse to take a breath or blood alcohol test?

Answer

Your driving privileges will be taken away in the state of Florida for at least 12 months. 

Question

If you are driving at night, what is the minimum distance in which you should use high-beam headlights in oncoming traffic?

Answer

There should be at least 500 feet in between you and the oncoming car if you’re using your high beams. 

Question

What should you do if you’re driving on the expressway and pass your exit by mistake?

Answer

You should continue to the next exit, come back the following direction on the opposite side of the highway, and use the exit on the other side of the road.

Question

What is the standard speed limit in business and residential areas within the state of Florida?

answer

The standard speed limit within these areas is 30 miles per hour. 

Question

How often must you renew your license plates and registrations in the state of Florida?

Answer

You must renew every year in Florida. 

Question

If you are approaching a drawbridge with a red signal, what must you do?

Answer

You must come to a complete stop.  

The Georgina driving test questions listed below stand as a great starting point for studying for your driver’s test.  You should always study for your Georgia driving test questions as much as possible, and you should also reference as many resources as possible.  Apart from the Georgia driving test questions listed below, you should also travel to your local DMV and pick up the state’s hard copy driver’s manual.  This driver’s manual will contain all the information that may be on the driver’s test.  If you have any questions about the Georgia driving test questions, you should ask a responsible adult such as a driver’s education instructor, parent, or teacher for help.  

Examples of Georgina Driving Test Questions

Question

What does Georgia’s move-over law require drivers to do if they see an emergency vehicle with flashing lights parked along the shoulder?

Answer

They are required to move over one lane if possible. 

Question 

What are the penalties associated with driving under the influence in the state of Georgia?

Answer

Penalties include mandatory suspension of driving privileges, fines up to $1,000, and jail sentences up to 12 months. 

Question

What should you do when traveling through a work zone?

Answer

You should prepare for unexpected stops, watch for speed limit signs, and changes lanes when possible to give more room to workers. 

Question

What does a yellow, diamond-shaped sign with a traffic light in the middle indicate?

Answer

The sign mean there is a traffic signal ahead.

Question

What are horizontal rectangular signs normally used for?

Answer

These types of signs are usually guide signs. 

Question

Within the state of Georgia, what kinds of roads can you travel 65 miles per hour on?

Answer

You can only travel 65 miles per hour on an urban interstate and multiple lane divided highway.  

Question

What does an orange, diamond-shaped sign with two lines and one line on the right progressing towards the line of the right mean?

Answer

The sign means the right lane is closed up ahead.  

Question

In a normal passenger car, partial hydroplaning can begin at what speeds?

Answer

Partial hydroplaning can begin at speeds as low as 35 mph. 

Question

What should you do if you suddenly experience a tire blow-out?

Answer

You should first grip the steering wheel very firmly and then proceed to slowly move over to the shoulder of the road.

Question

What does a square, white sign with a black box truck inside of a restricted circle indicate?

Answer

The sign means no trucks are allowed.

Question

When must you use your headlights?

Answer

You must use your headlights one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.  You must also use your headlights in construction zone all throughout the day.  

Question

In a vehicle equipped with airbags, what is the best position to place your hands on the steering wheel?

Answer

You should place your left hand at the 8 o’clock position and your right hand at the 4 o’clock position. 

The list below provides questions that may qualify as Arizona driving test questions.  When studying for your Arizona driving test questions, it’s important to refer to as many resources as possible.  Apart from the Arizona driving test questions below, you should also consider visiting the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and obtaining a hard copy of a driver’s manual.  The Arizona driving test questions below are not all of the possible questions on a driver’s test, but the list is a good starting point.  If you have any questions about Arizona driving test questions, you should ask a driver’s education teacher, parent, or other adult who is knowledgeable of the road. 

Question

What does a curb that is painted yellow indicate to a driver?

Answer

The driver can only stop long enough to load or unload, but the driver cannot park for an extended period of time.  

Question

What should you do when you are preparing to turn left at an intersection and you see an oncoming vehicle?

Answer

Yield the right-of-way to the oncoming vehicle and turn after they pass.

Question

What should you do if you start feeling sleepy when you are driving?

Answer

Pull over and take a nap instead of turning on the radio or rolling the windows down.  

Question

What kind of headlight should you use when you are driving in fog?

Answer

You should use low beam headlights. 

Question

What should you do if you encounter a severe dust storm in the state of AZ?

Answer

You should turn on your hazard lights, reduce your speed as fast as possible, and stop as far to the right as possible.  

Question

What is the correct hand signal in order to show you’re making a left turn?

Answer

Your hand and arm should be extended outward.  

Question

What does a sign made up with a red circle and white, horizontal rectangle in the middle indicate?

Answer

The sign indicates the area is a no-entry zone. 

Question

If a person is under the age of 18, has a graduated driver’s license, and is convicted of a traffic violation for the first time, what must the driver do in the state of AZ?

Answer

The driver must attend Traffic Survival School. 

Question

What should you first do if you are the first person to come to a scene of an accident?

Answer

You should first turn off the ignitions of each of the cars involved in the crash. 

Question

If a bicyclist is riding at night, what should be visible from 500 feet?

Answer

They should have a strong, white head lamp that is visible from 500 ft. 

Question

What should you do if a vehicle behind you flashes its lights indicating they want to pass you?

Answer

You should move to the right lane when it’s safe and allow the driver to pass.

Question

What does a yellow, diamond shaped sign with a cross in the middle indicate?

Answer

The sign indicates there is a four-way intersection ahead.  

The list below provides questions that may qualify as Arkansas driving test questions.  This guide serves as a great starting point, but you should reference as many resources as possible when you are studying for your Arkansas driving test questions.  You should also consider visiting a local DMW and obtaining a hard copy of a driver’s manual and all Arkansas driving test questions.  If you have any questions about the Arkansas driving test questions, you should ask a responsible and knowledgeable adult.  Driver’s education teachers, parents, and teachers often serve as great resources for answering questions for young drivers.  

Question

In the state of Arkansas, it is illegal to be in the front seat of a vehicle without…?

Answer

Wearing your seatbelt.

Question

When you are changing lanes, you should look over your shoulder in the direction you intend to move in order to insure there are no cars where?

Answer

In order to insure there are no cars in your blind spots.

Question

What should you avoid to do before making a right hand turn?

Answer

You should avoid making a wide swinging turn into the left lane before making a complete right turn.

Question

If you are driving on a two lane road, where is it safest to drive your vehicle within the lane?

Answer

It is always safest to drive your vehicle in the center of the lane.  

Question

Why should you be cautious when driving on pavement when it begins to rain on a hot day?

Answer

You should be cautious because the road will be slippery due to oil in the asphalt. 

Question

What should you do if there are no reduced speed limit signs posted within work zones in Arkansas?

Answer

You should continue to obey the normal speed limit.

Question

What should you do in order to avoid heavy braking within the last-minute of turning within a city?

Answer

You should keep at least a city-block in view when driving. 

Question

If your car is hit from the side, which direction will your body be thrown?

Answer

You body will be thrown toward the side that was hit. 

Question

How many feet will you travel in ten seconds if you are traveling at 55 miles per hour?

Answer

You will travel 800 feet in ten seconds.

Question

You shouldn’t pass if you are how far away from a hill or curve?

Answer

You shouldn’t pass if you are within one-third of a mile from a hill or curve.

Question

What does a yellow, diamond-shaped sign with an arrow pointing up and another black line Extending to the right half way down the arrow indicate?

Answer

The sign warns about merging traffic up ahead. 

Question

Drivers must avoid driving in no-zones such as?

Answer

Drivers should avoid driving 20 feet in front of the cab of a truck, on either side of a tractor-trailer, and up to 200 feet in the rear of the trailer.  

Unlike other states, process to apply for a permit or license in Hawaii is decentralized, with most of the responsibility in licensing and test going to Hawaii’s counties.  This is most likely due to the fact that Hawaii is made up of islands and having a centralized system in Honolulu would be somewhat inefficient.  The DMV locations will be based in Kaua’I, Honululu, Maui and Hawaii counties.

The fee to take the permit practice test is $2 and you will pay $5 to receive the permit.  All those that apply for an instruction permit must be at least 15.5 years old and have parental consent.  You must show a valid birth certificate and have notarized certification of parental consent before you may proceed to take the practice permit test for Hawaii.  There will also be a vision test to certify how well you can see and if you can operate a motor vehicle safely.

You will be able to find the driver’s manual for Hawaii through the poorly designed Hawaii Department of Transportation website by using the search function.  Alternatively, you may contact your County DMV location for instructions on how to acquire a digital or print copy this publication will be invaluable for passing the practice permit test in Hawaii.  Upon receiving the practice permit, you must complete driver’s education courses and pass the road test in order to earn a full Hawaii driver’s license.

permit practice test Hawaii/practice permit test Hawaii. If you need legal advice and assistance, contact Hawaii lawyers.

Car buying is a huge investment and one that will stay with the buyer for the long term.  When buying a new car, you will not have the same concerns about the reliability of the vehicle, as you would with a used car, buy you will need to consider the purpose of the car, your willingness to hang onto the car in the future and if you can afford the financing option.  You will need to expend adequate time and patience when buying a new car and by understanding all phases of the process, you will gain an important advantage not typically available to the average consumer.

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price is by no means, what you will pay for the car.  Even when buying a new car, you will have to negotiate with the dealer regarding fees and will have to make decisions on purchasing service contracts and extended warranties.  An awareness of taxation laws in your state will also modify what you will pay for a car.  Do not expect the dealer to give you the most honest estimate on the long term cost of the car.  Only research with a number of excellent calculators to determine the costs of loans and leases will help you determine the viability of a financing agreement.  Be prepared to negotiate on the MSRP and be aware of fees that are not mandatory.  The savvy car buyer will be able to detect these not mandatory fees and have them dismissed before buying the new car.

There is no clear cut answer here.  You will need to decide if the warranty offered to you is consistent with your needs and will not substantially add to the cost of the car.  Determining if a warranty is in your interests will depend heavily on what costs the dealer will cover and how long the coverage will last.  

You will face the choice of leasing versus buying a car.  You need to have all details of the leasing and loan offers in order to make an informed decision.  How you finance your new car purchase depends on your needs and intent for the car.  Leasing will carry heavy penalties for exceeding allotted mileage, making this arrangement not ideal for those with this particular need.  Those that intend to walk away from the car in a short period of time, typically three years, will prefer a lease as buying the car with a loan would leave you on the hook for the loan after you have decided to move on.  

You must be prepared for the financial obligations of buying a car.  This includes ensuring you will be able to make timely payments if you choose to finance.  Ensure you check the numbers on the financing agreement and that you are aware how interest will affect the principal you will owe to the dealer or salesperson.  Remember that the absence of a down payment does not necessarily work out in your favor as this is a greater principal that you will be paying interest on.

Destination charge – cost to deliver the car from the factory to the dealership, is set by the manufacturer and the buyer will end up paying it.  Any other destination or delivery fee is unnecessary.  This destination charge is a mandatory fee that cannot be avoided.

Title and registration fees – if you require a new license plate for the vehicle, the dealer will charge you this fee, set by the state, to acquire it for you.  The fee is lower if you already have plates and want to transfer them to the new vehicle.  You must register the vehicle.

Documentation fee – this fee is charged for processing the paperwork related to acquiring and buying the car.  Many states cap this fee but other states where there are no limitations will have the he run into the hundreds of dollars.  Consider this when buying a car in another state.

Sales tax – even cars are subject to sales tax.  Buying the car in another state will subject you to your state’s sale tax once you register it in your state.  The dealer may help facilitate registering the vehicle in your state.

Advertising fees – this fee can be challenged if it is not immediately disclosed to you.  This is the charge that manufactures charge dealers for advertisement and some dealerships will try to pass it one to the consumer.

Guaranteed Auto Protection Insurance – if you are leasing, this fee covers the difference between your payments and the life of the lease if the car does not survive until the end of the lease.

Extended warranty/service contract – at your discretion, you may purchase additional protection for your vehicle.  Do so only if you determine this is to your advantage and that the conditions are fair to you.  Many drivers will never need their warranty but others have saved substantially because of it.

Just about any other fee that can be added to a vehicle can be disputed, challenged, or avoided.  Other fees and coverage can be had cheaper elsewhere.  All of these fees are the reason why it is important to read all of the terms related to buying or financing a car.

Any dealer that sells over six cars a year must provide a buyer’s guide that lists the terms and conditions of the purchase, the provisions of the warranty, and the rights of the purchaser as well as the obligations of the seller.  Even when buying a new car, it is important to check the buyer’s guide for information on potential defects as well as the terms of your arrangement with the seller.  It is important to note promises made in the buyer’s guide and that spoken promises are not enforceable.

How to buy a new car/buying a new car