Fla. Stat. 601.731
Transporting citrus on highways; name and dealer designation on vehicles; load identification; penalty

(1)(a)

It is unlawful to operate any truck, tractor, trailer, or other motor vehicle hauling citrus fruit in bulk or in unclosed containers for commercial purposes on the highways of this state unless such truck, tractor, trailer, or other motor vehicle is:
Designated by a number assigned or permitted for use in the way and manner and to the extent prescribed by department rule.
Identified by lettering plainly showing the name of the person owning same, or the name of any lessee or other person operating same. The lettering shall not be less than 3 inches in height on both sides of the vehicle or on the front end and the rear end of the vehicle, except that lettering on flatbed semitrailers shall not be less than 11/2 inches in height on the rear end of the trailer.
If the truck, tractor, trailer, or other motor vehicle is owned by a licensed fruit dealer under this chapter, there shall also appear, except on the rear end of a flatbed semitrailer or similar truck trailer, the words “Licensed Citrus Fruit Dealer” by lettering of not less than 3 inches minimum in height under the name of the owner of such vehicle. When both a tractor and trailer or when two units are used in the operation of hauling, both of such units shall be so marked.The designations aforesaid shall be painted or affixed by decal upon the vehicle or units so as to be of a permanent character, except that where vehicles are leased for a period of not more than 30 days, it shall be sufficient if the designations provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) are clearly legible and affixed by temporary means.A motor vehicle which is not so marked that is so hauling such citrus fruit on the highways of this state shall prima facie be considered to be hauling commercial fruit with intent to violate this section. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to any such fruit being hauled from the farm or grove by the producer of such fruit in her or his own vehicle to market or place of first commercial handling unless such producer is also a licensed citrus fruit dealer.

(1)(a)

It is unlawful to operate any truck, tractor, trailer, or other motor vehicle hauling citrus fruit in bulk or in unclosed containers for commercial purposes on the highways of this state unless such truck, tractor, trailer, or other motor vehicle is:Designated by a number assigned or permitted for use in the way and manner and to the extent prescribed by department rule.Identified by lettering plainly showing the name of the person owning same, or the name of any lessee or other person operating same. The lettering shall not be less than 3 inches in height on both sides of the vehicle or on the front end and the rear end of the vehicle, except that lettering on flatbed semitrailers shall not be less than 11/2 inches in height on the rear end of the trailer.
1. Designated by a number assigned or permitted for use in the way and manner and to the extent prescribed by department rule.
2. Identified by lettering plainly showing the name of the person owning same, or the name of any lessee or other person operating same. The lettering shall not be less than 3 inches in height on both sides of the vehicle or on the front end and the rear end of the vehicle, except that lettering on flatbed semitrailers shall not be less than 11/2 inches in height on the rear end of the trailer.

(b)

If the truck, tractor, trailer, or other motor vehicle is owned by a licensed fruit dealer under this chapter, there shall also appear, except on the rear end of a flatbed semitrailer or similar truck trailer, the words “Licensed Citrus Fruit Dealer” by lettering of not less than 3 inches minimum in height under the name of the owner of such vehicle. When both a tractor and trailer or when two units are used in the operation of hauling, both of such units shall be so marked.

(c)

The designations aforesaid shall be painted or affixed by decal upon the vehicle or units so as to be of a permanent character, except that where vehicles are leased for a period of not more than 30 days, it shall be sufficient if the designations provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) are clearly legible and affixed by temporary means.

(d)

A motor vehicle which is not so marked that is so hauling such citrus fruit on the highways of this state shall prima facie be considered to be hauling commercial fruit with intent to violate this section. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to any such fruit being hauled from the farm or grove by the producer of such fruit in her or his own vehicle to market or place of first commercial handling unless such producer is also a licensed citrus fruit dealer.

(2)

Any person driving any truck, tractor, trailer, or other motor vehicle hauling citrus fruit in bulk or in unclosed containers for commercial purposes on the highways of the state must have on her or his person while driving such vehicle a certificate or other paper showing the approximate amount of fruit being hauled; the name of the owner and the grove or other origin of such fruit; the number painted or affixed by decal, as well as the number of the motor vehicle license tag, on the vehicle in which such fruit is being hauled; and such other information and data as may be prescribed by department rule, and it is unlawful to drive any such vehicle on the highways of this state without having such certificate or other paper. The failure of any such person to have such certificate or other paper on her or his person while driving such vehicle is prima facie evidence of intent to violate and of the violation of this section.

(3)(a)

A person who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.A person who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of subsection (2) is, upon the first conviction, guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, and upon any subsequent conviction, guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(3)(a)

A person who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b)

A person who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of subsection (2) is, upon the first conviction, guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, and upon any subsequent conviction, guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

Source: Section 601.731 — Transporting citrus on highways; name and dealer designation on vehicles; load identification; penalty, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0601.­731 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

601.01
Short title 601.02
Purposes 601.03
Definitions 601.04
Florida Citrus Commission 601.05
Department of Citrus a body corporate 601.06
Compensation and expenses of commission members 601.07
Location of executive offices 601.08
Authenticated copies of commission records as evidence 601.09
Citrus districts 601.10
Powers of the Department of Citrus 601.11
Department of Citrus 601.13
Citrus research 601.15
Advertising campaign 601.24
Department of Citrus to prescribe methods of testing and grading 601.25
Determination of soluble solids and acid 601.27
Department of Agriculture 601.28
Inspection fees 601.29
Powers of Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 601.31
Citrus inspectors 601.32
Compensation of inspectors 601.33
Interference with inspectors 601.34
Duties of law enforcement officers 601.35
Disputes as to quality, etc. 601.36
Inspection information required when two or more lots of fruit run simultaneously 601.37
Unlawful acts of inspectors 601.38
Citrus inspectors 601.39
Special inspectors 601.40
Registration of citrus packinghouses, processing plants with Department of Agriculture 601.41
Operation without registration unlawful 601.041
The Friends of Florida Citrus Program 601.42
Revocation of registration 601.43
Immature and unfit citrus fruit 601.44
Destruction of immature fruit 601.45
Grading of fresh citrus fruit 601.045
Commission meetings 601.46
Condition precedent to sale of citrus fruit 601.47
Condition precedent to processing citrus 601.48
Grading processed citrus products 601.49
Condition precedent to selling processed citrus products 601.50
Exemptions 601.51
Certification required for shipment of citrus fruit or products 601.52
Carriers not to accept fruit without evidence of payment of assessments and fees 601.53
Unlawful to process unwholesome citrus 601.54
Seizure of unwholesome fruit by Department of Agriculture’s agents 601.55
Citrus fruit dealer 601.56
Application for dealers’ licenses 601.57
Examination of application 601.58
Application approval or disapproval 601.59
Dealer’s license fee 601.60
Issuance of dealers’ licenses 601.61
Bond requirements of citrus fruit dealers 601.64
Citrus fruit dealers 601.65
Liability of citrus fruit dealers 601.66
Complaints of violations by citrus fruit dealers 601.67
Disciplinary action by Department of Agriculture against citrus fruit dealers 601.68
Investigation of violations 601.69
Records to be kept by citrus fruit dealers 601.70
Inspection of records by Department of Agriculture 601.72
Penalties for violations 601.73
Additional methods of enforcement 601.74
Fees for licensing and analysis of processing materials 601.79
To color grapefruit and tangerines prohibited 601.80
Unlawful to use uncertified coloring matter 601.85
Standard shipping box for fresh fruit 601.86
Standard field boxes for fresh citrus fruit 601.88
Oversized boxes to be stamped 601.89
Citrus fruit 601.91
Unlawful to sell, transport, prepare, receive, or deliver freeze-damaged citrus 601.091
Florida SunRidge, Indian River, and Gulf production areas, boundaries and designation 601.92
Use of arsenic in connection with citrus 601.93
Sale of citrus containing arsenic 601.94
Fruit containing arsenic 601.95
Seizure of citrus fruit containing arsenic 601.96
Seized fruit 601.97
Destruction of certain fruit containing arsenic 601.98
Shipment, sale, or offer of imported citrus fruit or citrus products 601.99
Unlawful to misbrand wrappers or packages containing citrus fruit 601.101
Ownership of rights under patent and trademark laws developed or acquired under this chapter 601.111
Maturity standards 601.152
Special marketing orders 601.155
Equalizing assessment 601.281
Road guard fees 601.461
Falsification of weights 601.471
Definition of “canned or concentrated citrus fruit products” expanded 601.501
Charitable shipments exempt from assessments 601.601
Registration of dealers’ agents 601.611
Applicable law in event ch. 61-389 held invalid 601.641
Fraudulent representations, penalties 601.671
Appropriation of fines collected 601.701
Penalty for failure to keep records 601.731
Transporting citrus on highways 601.992
Collection of dues and other payments on behalf of certain nonprofit corporations engaged in market news and grower education 601.9901
Certificates of inspection 601.9902
Payment of salaries and expenses 601.9903
Annual report of Department of Citrus 601.9904
Frozen citrus juices 601.9908
Canned tangerine juice 601.9910
Legislative findings of fact 601.9911
Fruit may be sold or transported direct from producer 601.9912
Penalties 601.9918
Rules related to issuance and use of symbols 601.99035
Annual travel report of Department of Citrus 601.99036
Approval of specified salary changes

Current through Fall 2025

§ 601.731. Transporting citrus on highways; name & dealer designation on vehicles; load identification; penalty's source at flsenate​.gov