(1) The operation of a low-speed vehicle as defined in s. 320.01 or a mini truck as defined in s. 320.01 on any road is authorized with the following restrictions:
(a) A low-speed vehicle or mini truck may be operated only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This does not prohibit a low-speed vehicle or mini truck from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
(b) A low-speed vehicle must be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, taillamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and vehicle identification numbers.
(c) A low-speed vehicle or mini truck must be registered and insured in accordance with s. 320.02 and titled pursuant to chapter 319.
(d) Any person operating a low-speed vehicle or mini truck must have in his or her possession a valid driver license.
(2) The operation of a low-speed autonomous delivery vehicle on any road is authorized with the following restrictions:
(a) A low-speed autonomous delivery vehicle may operate only on streets or roads where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This paragraph does not prohibit a low-speed autonomous delivery vehicle from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
(b) A low-speed autonomous delivery vehicle may operate on a street or road with a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour, but no more than 45 miles per hour, if:
1. The low-speed autonomous delivery vehicle travels no more than 1 continuous mile on such a street or road, except that the vehicle may travel in excess of 1 continuous mile if authorized by the entity with jurisdiction over the street or road;
2. The low-speed autonomous delivery vehicle operates exclusively in the right lane, other than for the purpose of completing a turn; and
3. On a two-lane street or road where overtaking and passing another vehicle is unsafe because of traffic moving in the opposite direction or because of other unsafe conditions, and five or more vehicles are formed in a line behind the autonomous delivery vehicle, the low-speed autonomous delivery vehicle exits the roadway wherever a sufficient area for a safe turn-out exists, to permit the vehicles following to proceed.
(c) A low-speed autonomous delivery vehicle must be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, taillamps, reflex reflectors, and vehicle identification numbers.
(d) Federal regulations adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall supersede this subsection when found to be in conflict with this subsection.
(e) A low-speed autonomous delivery vehicle must be covered by a policy of automobile insurance which provides the coverage required by s. 627.749(2)(a)1., 2., and 3. The coverage requirements of this paragraph may be satisfied by automobile insurance maintained by the owner of a low-speed autonomous delivery vehicle, the owner of the teleoperation system, the remote human operator, or a combination thereof.
(3) A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles or mini trucks on any road under its jurisdiction if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
(4) The Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles or mini trucks on any road under its jurisdiction if it determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
History.—s. 1, ch. 99-163; s. 5, ch. 2009-183; s. 85, ch. 2012-174; s. 78, ch. 2013-160; s. 2, ch. 2021-233.