Motorists: Driving In Miami Can Be Tough, But So Are You

[UPDATED March 2023]
Miami has always been synonym for vacation, mojitos, parties, and Latin-led entertainment.
There’s no way you could escape Miami without checking out its fabulous beaches, shops, and the best restaurants in town.

Use eTags^© to Quickly Complete Your DMV Service. Renewals, Title Transfers and More, All Online!

No matter what brings you to Miami, you will need a car to get around. However, driving in Miami is associated with driving mistakes and negligence. And you must be prepared for the unexpected.

Miami is the seventh-most congested city in the nation.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Miami-Dade County had 62,530 traffic accidents in 2021. Of these, 22,196 crashes happened in the City of Miami. The rest happened in the surrounding metropolitan area. Preliminary numbers for 2022 from FLHSMV show the county had 42,022 car crashes. Distracted driving, speeding, and not using turning signals are responsible for a lot of accidents. Typically, Miami crashes happen between Friday night and Saturday morning.

Below you’ll find further information about driving in Miami. You no longer need to look clueless next time you explore this city.

Are you familiar with the traffic law in Miami?

If it’s your first time in Miami, you need to be informed about the federal driving laws before hitting the road.

Here are the basic driving laws you need to know to get started:

Remain on the right-hand side of the road.
Keep your driver’s license, car registration, and insurance documentation handy at all times.
You are allowed to turn right at a red light (unless otherwise prohibited)
Reduce your speed to 15 mph and 30 mph at school zones and residential areas respectively.
Buckle up for your safety at all times. Children under 5 years old must use state-approved car seats.
Use your windshield wipers and headlights in heavy rain and fog.
Go online for further information about federal driving laws in Florida.

Want to know more about highways and tollways?

When driving in Miami, you may need to use the highway or freeway to reach any destination faster unless there’s a traffic jam.

Some of them are free to access, while a few of them are toll roads that charge a fee.

For instance: You can use the Palmetto Expressway and Interstate 95 for free. But the Florida Turnpike, Dolphin Expressway, and the Airport Expressway are toll roads.

Tolls are going digital which means they are no longer accepting cash. That said, you will need to get an electronic SunPass to pay those charges.

Once you get a SunPass device, you’ll have to attach it to the windshield and you’ll be all set.

If you are renting a car in Miami, ask them about the toll payment policy and where you can get one.

Use the I-95 express lanes

I-95 does not charge drivers unless they use the express lanes. The paid express lane is useful for drivers who want to avoid traffic congestion.

Again, you will need to use your SunPass to pay the fees on display and you will need to comply with the carpool restrictions.

You will need to plan your journey before merging onto the express lane. You won’t be able to change your mind until you see an exit.

Not to mention that it’s illegal to stop in the lane and hit the poles.

Watch for available parking in Miami

Parking in Miami, like in any other city, could be either free or paid. It depends on where you want to park and how long you are planning to park your vehicle.

If you drive in Coconut Grove or Brickell, you could either park in garages, public lots, or metered local parking.

You are allowed to pay by cash, credit card, or simply download Pay by Phone app to do it online.

In other areas, such as Miami Beach or South Beach, you will need to watch for reserved parking. Unless you can afford getting your car towed, you don’t need to disturb residents.

Driving in Miami can be a predictable experience

You ask any local or tourist in town. Driving in Miami can be hellish owing to the number of people with different backgrounds and expectations.

To improve your safety, we grouped a list of habits you need to watch out for:

Miami drivers tend to neglect their signals, especially when switching lanes.
Some drivers may abruptly pass you on the right.
A yellow light usually encourages locals to speed up rather than slowing down.
Some drivers make a left turn at an intersection after the lights turned red.
Some locals honk their horns for no reason, especially when you are “blocking” them.
While texting and driving is against the law, you can still find lots of people sticking to this habit.
Expect language barriers in the event of an accident. Spanish, for example, is widely spoken and you may have a hard time getting across.