Florida laws by category

Fireworks may be used statewide in Florida on three designated holidays only — January 1, July 4 and December 31 (Fla. Stat. § 791.08, created 2020). Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

No permit is needed at 21 or older. You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and meet Florida's other license criteria, such as no felony record. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

Florida is a license state, not a control state: all alcohol is sold by privately owned businesses licensed by the state, and there are no state-run liquor stores. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

Radar detectors are legal in private passenger vehicles in Florida — a search of the Florida Statutes finds no state ban. Federal law bans using or having one in a commercial motor vehicle (49 CFR 392.71).

In Florida, you need a freshwater fishing license from age 16. Licenses are issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent of the sales price of tangible personal property sold at retail in Florida (Fla. Stat. 212.05(1)(a)). Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Florida. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

In Florida, all people hunting deer on public lands, or accompanying someone hunting deer on public lands, must wear at least 500 sq in of daylight fluorescent orange as an outer garment above the waistline (a head covering may count). Not required during an archery-only season or on private lands at any time.

Sports betting in Florida is legal only through the Seminole Tribe of Florida under its compact with the state (F.S. 285.710(13)(b)7). Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 must have a Boating Safety Education Identification Card (plus photo ID) to legally operate a motorboat of 10 hp or more in Florida.

Florida has no statute that bans switchblade, automatic, out-the-front (OTF) or gravity knives: a code-wide search of the 2026 Florida Statutes for "switchblade" returns nothing, and an adult may own and openly carry these knives. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.