FL S0266

Children under 16 years of age must wear a properly fitted helmet meeting federal safety standards (16 C.F.R. part 1203) when riding skateboards, scooters, or similar foot-propelled wheeled vehicles; helmets purchased before October 1, 2017 meeting ANSI or Snell standards are acceptable until January 1, 2021.

Law enforcement officers or school crossing guards may issue a safety brochure and verbal warning for helmet violations; first-time violations for children under 16 are dismissed upon proof of helmet purchase.

Persons riding skateboards or scooters may not attach themselves or the vehicle to any vehicle on a roadway; violations are noncriminal traffic infractions punishable as pedestrian violations.

Rental or leasing of skateboards or scooters to children under 16 is prohibited unless the child possesses a helmet or the rental provider supplies one.

Courts may waive, reduce, or suspend fines and may require community service or safety seminar attendance instead; helmet non-compliance cannot be used as evidence of negligence.