Florida’s 2025 Super Speeder law makes extreme speeding a crime. See what qualifies, the penalties, and how it impacts drivers statewide.
Being pulled over for speeding has always been a stressful experience. But beginning July 1, 2025, certain speeding violations in Florida no longer result in just a traffic ticket. Under a new statute known as the “Super Speeder” law, some cases now carry criminal consequences, including fines, mandatory court appearances, possible jail time, and even driver’s license suspension.
The law, passed as House Bill 351, is Florida’s response to the rise in deadly crashes caused by extreme speeding. The lawmakers worked on this new category of offense to close a gap in the law. In the past, many drivers traveling at excessive speeds faced only civil fines unless prosecutors could prove reckless driving. Now, the most extreme speeding conduct is defined as its own criminal offense.
In this article, we explain what qualifies as “dangerous excessive speeding,” what penalties drivers face under HB 351, and how this law differs from an ordinary speeding ticket.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Effective date: July 1, 2025
- Who is covered: Any driver who meets the thresholds below
- Penalties: Criminal misdemeanor, fines that can reach 1,000 dollars, potential jail, and license revocation for repeat convictions
- Court: Mandatory appearance when the allegation is more than 50 miles per hour over the limit
- Purpose: Reduce serious crashes by deterring extreme speed
The bottom line is simple. At these speeds, you are not dealing with a simple ticket. You are entering the criminal justice system.
What Actually Counts as a “Super Speeder” in Florida?
The law does not use the term “Super Speeder.” Instead, Florida law now refers to this conduct as “Dangerous Excessive Speeding.” The media and public have adopted the nickname because it mirrors Georgia’s long-standing “Super Speeder” law.
Under Florida Statute §316.1922, dangerous excessive speeding can be charged in two situations.
- First, when a driver is going 50 miles per hour or more above the posted limit. If the limit is 45 and you’re clocked at 95 or higher, the charge applies. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on a local road, a rural stretch, or the interstate.
- Second, when a driver is traveling at 100 miles per hour or more in a way that puts others in danger or disrupts traffic, hitting 100 alone is not always enough. The manner of driving has to create risk. Weaving between cars or tailgating at that speed are examples that will bring the law into play.
This distinction is very important. Not every instance of traveling above 100 mph is automatically a criminal offense, but combining that speed with unsafe driving behaviors will trigger the statute.
Penalties, Court, and License Consequences
Florida’s Super Speeder law carries real criminal penalties, not just higher fines. The consequences depend on whether it is a first conviction or a repeat offense.
First conviction
- Classified as a second-degree misdemeanor
- Up to 30 days in jail
- Up to a $500 fine
- Court costs and fees in addition to the fine
Second or subsequent conviction
- Up to 90 days in jail
- Up to a $1,000 fine
- A conviction within five years of a prior offense requires the court to revoke the driver’s license for at least 180 days and up to one year.
Mandatory court appearances
Drivers cited for speeding more than 50 mph over the limit must appear at a court hearing. This is not optional. Unlike a regular speeding ticket that can often be resolved by paying online or by mail, these cases go directly through the criminal court system.
Officer discretion on citations
The statute also allows, though does not require, officers to indicate certain high-speed thresholds on the ticket. This is important because it shows the driver and the court that the case is being treated under the new law.
All this makes it clear: repeat offenders face harsher consequences, and no one cited under this law can avoid the courtroom.
How This Differs from Standard Speeding or Reckless Driving
Florida law already had penalties for both speeding and reckless driving. The Super Speeder law is distinct and should not be confused with either.
Standard speeding tickets
- Treated as noncriminal civil violations
- Penalties are fines and driver’s license points, but no jail time
- Can often be resolved without appearing in court
Reckless driving
- Defined as driving with willful or wanton disregard for safety
- A criminal offense but requires proof of intent beyond just speeding
- Courts have consistently ruled that speed alone is not enough to prove reckless driving
Dangerous excessive speeding (Super Speeder law)
- Fills the gap between ordinary speeding and reckless driving
- Criminalizes the most extreme cases of speeding, even if there is not enough evidence to prove willful disregard for safety
- Focused on measurable thresholds: 50 mph over the limit or 100 mph with dangerous conduct
In other words, a driver does not need to be weaving, tailgating, or showing intent to endanger for the law to apply in the “50 mph over” scenario. That speed alone is enough for a criminal charge
What to Expect if You Are Stopped at Very High Speeds
Being stopped for excessive speeding under this law is not the same as receiving a traffic ticket. Drivers should be prepared for a much more serious encounter with law enforcement and the courts.
On the roadside
Law enforcement may issue a notice to appear in criminal court or may take a driver into custody, depending on the circumstances. Cooperation is critical. Refusing to provide a license, registration, or proof of insurance can lead to additional charges.
In the courtroom
These cases are handled in criminal court. That means there is a judge, prosecutor, and potentially a criminal record if convicted. Jail time is possible, especially for repeat offenders. Even if jail is not imposed, the mandatory fines and license consequences can be significant.
Collateral consequences
A conviction for dangerous excessive speeding creates a criminal record. This can affect job applications, security clearances, professional licensing, and car insurance rates. For commercial drivers, the impact may be career-ending.
Enforcement focus
The Florida Highway Patrol has publicly stated that they will be prioritizing enforcement of this new law. Early reports after July 1 showed arrests of drivers traveling at 120 mph or more on interstates. The goal is deterrence through high-visibility enforcement.
For drivers, the takeaway is straightforward: a moment of extreme speed can lead to consequences far beyond a traffic ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida’s Super Speeder Law
Does driving 100 mph automatically mean I will be charged?
No. Under the statute, driving 100 mph or more must also be in a manner that threatens safety or interferes with traffic. In practice, this often includes weaving between cars, tailgating, or aggressive lane changes.
Is driving 50 mph over the limit always a criminal offense?
Yes. Once a driver exceeds the posted limit by 50 mph, the statute applies automatically. No additional proof of dangerous driving is required.
Do I have to go to court for this type of speeding?
Yes. Anyone cited for going more than 50 mph over the limit must appear in court. There is no option to simply pay the fine by mail or online.
Can I lose my license?
Yes. A second or subsequent conviction within five years carries a mandatory license revocation of at least 180 days and up to one year.
Is Florida’s law the same as Georgia’s Super Speeder law?
Not exactly. While both laws target extreme speeding and use the “Super Speeder” nickname, Florida’s law is distinct. It sets clear thresholds at 50 mph over the limit or 100 mph with dangerous conduct, while Georgia’s law imposes surcharges for certain high-speed violations.
Practical Tips to Avoid Becoming a “Super Speeder”
Florida’s highways are long and often crowded, and many drivers feel pressured to keep up with fast-moving traffic. But the new law makes it more important than ever to manage your speed carefully.
- Use cruise control. On long stretches of interstate, cruise control can help prevent your speed from creeping upward.
- Leave early. Many drivers speed most when they are running late. Giving yourself extra time reduces the temptation to push limits.
- Set real-time alerts. Many newer vehicles and phone apps can provide speed warnings. Adjust settings to alert you if you are nearing dangerous thresholds.
- Resist pacing other drivers. Just because traffic around you is moving quickly does not protect you from a criminal citation.
- Never combine high speed with aggressive driving. Tailgating, weaving, or cutting across lanes at or above 100 mph is exactly the type of conduct this law was written to stop.
These common-sense measures are often enough to keep a driver out of the danger zone created by HB 351.
Why This Law Matters if You or a Loved One Has Been Injured
Florida’s new Super Speeder law punishes drivers who push their cars far beyond safe limits. But criminal charges don’t pay hospital bills or replace lost income. For families hurt in a high-speed crash, the real challenge is recovery.
Civil law gives you the chance to hold a reckless driver financially responsible. A claim can cover medical care, lost wages, future treatment, and the pain these crashes leave behind. That’s where our work begins.
Protect Your Rights After a High-Speed Crash in Florida
This law makes one thing clear. Driving 50 miles per hour over the limit or racing at 100 miles per hour dangerously is no longer just a ticket. It’s a crime. But even when a driver faces criminal penalties, victims still need help putting their lives back together.
