Florida Statute 316.251 - Full Text and Legal Analysis

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES

Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL

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316.251 Maximum bumper heights.—

(1) Every motor vehicle of net shipping weight of not more than 5,000 pounds shall be equipped with a front and a rear bumper such that when measured from the ground to the bottom of the bumper the maximum height shall be as follows:

NET WEIGHT		FRONT	REAR
Automobiles for private use:
	Net weight of less than 2,500 pounds	22″	22″
	Net weight of 2,500 pounds or more, but less than 3,500 pounds	24″	26″
	Net weight of 3,500 pounds or more	27″	29″
Trucks:
	Net weight of less than 2,000 pounds	24″	26″
	Net weight of 2,000 or more, but not more than 3,000 pounds	27″	29″
	Net weight of 3,000 pounds, but not more than 5,000 pounds	28″	30″

(2) “New motor vehicles” as defined in s. 319.001(9), “antique automobiles” as defined in s. 320.08, “horseless carriages” as defined in s. 320.086, and “street rods” as defined in s. 320.0863 shall be excluded from the requirements of this section.

(3) A violation of this section shall be defined as a moving violation. A person charged with a violation of this section is subject to the penalty provided in s. 318.18.

History.—s. 1, ch. 85-158; s. 7, ch. 86-36; s. 23, ch. 91-221; s. 196, ch. 99-248; s. 18, ch. 2002-235; s. 7, ch. 2008-176.

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Amendments to 316.251

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Civil Citations / Citable Offenses under S316.251

R or S next to points is Mandatory Revocation or Suspension

S316.251 BUMPER LAW - (Exclusions s.s.319.001(9), 320.08, 320.086, 320.0863) - Points on Drivers License: 3

S316.251 (1) Maximum bumper heights/None (Bumper Law) - Points on Drivers License: 3

Cases Citing Statute 316.251

Total Results: 4 | Sort by: Relevance | Newest First

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Hilton v. State, 961 So. 2d 284 (Fla. 2007).

Cited 35 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 2007 WL 1932071

...alid basis for a stop: Although the law does not require vehicles to be equipped with air conditioners or radios, the supreme court as easily could have made its point with hypothetical examples that clearly do fall within chapter 316. For instance, section 316.251(1) provides that "[e]very motor vehicle of net shipping weight of not more than 5,000 pounds shall be equipped with a front and a rear bumper such that when measured from the ground to the bottom of the bumper the maximum height shall...

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Hilton v. State, 901 So. 2d 155 (Fla. 2d DCA 2005).

Cited 16 times | Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 30 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. D 453

...Doctor, 596 So.2d at 447. Although the law does not require vehicles to be equipped with air conditioners or radios, the supreme court as easily could have made its point with hypothetical examples that clearly do fall within chapter *164 316. For instance, section 316.251(1) provides that "[e]very motor vehicle of net shipping weight of not more than 5,000 pounds shall be equipped with a front and a rear bumper such that when measured from the ground to the bottom of the bumper the maximum height shall...

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Murray v. Briggs, 569 So. 2d 476 (Fla. 5th DCA 1990).

Cited 5 times | Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal | 1990 WL 139625

...Cespedes, 468 So.2d 417, 421 (Fla. 3d DCA), rev. denied, 479 So.2d 117 (Fla. 1985). Florida does have a statute requiring a bumper limiting clearance to thirty inches on trucks; however, the statute only applies to light weight trucks and contains *481 no strength requirement. § 316.251, Fla....

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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

(sale or use of approved lamps or equipment), § 316.251 (maximum bumper height), § 316.261 (brake equipment)

This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham W. Syfert, Esq., a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney. Attorney Syfert regularly works with Chapter 316 in the context of traffic and automobile accident law and represents clients throughout Northeast Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.