Many drivers in the Sunshine State are likely familiar with hearing other cars blare their music while at an intersection or in transit.
While these sorts of situations may be annoying to some, they underlie a bigger question: is it actually legal?
To answer this question, we can head back to 2022, when a new law surrounding this issue took effect.
According to that law, drivers who play sound too loudly from any of the following devices could receive a ticket:
- Radio
- Tape player
- Compact disc player
- Portable music or video player
- Cell phone
- Tablet computer
- Laptop computer
- Stereo
- Television
- Musical instrument
To qualify, the sound must be “plainly audible” at a distance of 25 feet or more from the vehicle, the law states.
“There is no specific way or tool to measure this,” Trooper Steve said after the law took effect. “Simply put, if an officer can hear the music from the vehicle from over 25 feet, then there is a violation. It does not matter what type of music, it does not matter if your windows are up; the law is very simple.”
In addition, this law applies if the sound is “louder than necessary for the convenient hearing by persons inside the vehicle” in places near private homes, churches, hospitals and schools.
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“People have a right to worship and to education and, especially, peace within their communities,” Trooper Steve added. “Let’s be real: the majority of society does not want to hear vulgar or loud music while they’re driving down the road. You do have the right to listen to whatever you want, but we collectively don’t have the right to disturb others.”
That being said, these same rules don’t apply to emergency vehicles or people using their horns to warn other vehicles in line with other Florida statutes.
While violations of these rules aren’t criminal, they can be met with fines of around $114-$116, depending on which county the offense occurred.
“I have been asked, ‘Is this law going to be a new way to be hassled by law enforcement?’” Trooper Steve continued. “I understand the question, so let me explain my perspective. I truly think this is simply giving law enforcement another tool on their belt in order to allow peace in communities. During discussion of the law, this was really focused around communities, churches and, of course, schools.