Cargo loading and securement - Florida

In Florida, a vehicle must be constructed or loaded to prevent any of its load from dropping, shifting, leaking, blowing, or otherwise escaping from the vehicle.

This requirement does not apply to:

• The dropping of sand for traction, or
• The sprinkling of water or other substances to clean or maintain the road.

Drivers must prevent dirt, sand, lime rock, gravel, silica, or other similar aggregate or trash, garbage, any inanimate object or objects, or any similar material from falling, blowing, or escaping from the vehicle.

Drivers must cover and secure the load with a:

• Close-fitting tarpaulin or other appropriate cover,
• Load securing device meeting the requirements of 393.100, or
• Device designed to reasonably ensure that cargo will not shift upon or fall from the vehicle.

The covering and securing of the load with a close-fitting tarpaulin or other appropriate cover does not apply to vehicles carrying agricultural products locally from a harvest site or to or from a farm on roads where the posted speed limit is 65 miles per hour or less.