Is the ‘Carolina Squat’ Truck Trend Legal in Florida?

If you’re not familiar with the ‘Carolina Squat” trend going around on lifted trucks and SUVs, that might be a good thing.Across the United States, people are starting to lift the front end of their vehicle and lower the rear making it look like a squat. But, is the Carolina Squat legal in Florida? We’re here to tell you.

The headlights are one of the biggest concerns. Oncoming drivers face blinding headlights because of the angle of the trucks. Something I notice with the ‘Squat’ is that the driver often cannot fully see the road in front of them. The angle of the driver's seat is lower than the dash and hood making it hard for the drivers to actually see what’s happening in front of them.

Trooper Steve from the Orlando 6 News team said, “Some beaches have created ordinances that restrict this modification on the vehicle. But there are specific Florida laws that do govern the height of vehicles and placement of their headlights…Florida law states that a vehicle’s headlights shall be no lower than 24 inches and no higher than 54 inches. A violation of this would be a non-moving violation, punishable by a traffic citation.”

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood proposed to ban squatted trucks on the beaches. Back in August 2023, Volusia City Council voted to approve  the proposal. Any vehicle that is “raised or lowered four or more inches greater than the height of the rear fender” is included in the city ordinance.

In North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina, the Carolina Squat trend is completely banned. It is completely illegal to own a vehicle with this type of modification. In those states, you’ll face a fine of $100 for the first offense, $300 after the third offense and the driver will face a suspended license for a year. 

Vehicle owners that squat their trucks where it is still legal, face serious performance and handling issues. If you're thinking about the Carolina Squat, you might want to opt for a traditional lift instead. So, is the Carolina Squat legal in Florida? Yes, in most areas of the state.

Everybody always wants that 'Instagram-worthy' photo op whenever they're in town. Luckily, Tampa is packed full of 'Instagrammable' spots! Much like Nashville and other big cities, Tampa is becoming more and more of a mural city each week. It seems like every time we go downtown, there's new artwork to be admired and shared. We are including the best Instagram-worthy murals on this list and other perfect Tampa backdrops that are guaranteed to get you tons of likes.

There are lots of new things to see and do in Downtown Tampa. It seems like Water Street is constantly transforming with new restaurants, condos, and art fixtures. Recently there was a light show on Water Street that illuminated the entire street blue and gave you the feel of being "underwater".

Sure you could just point and shoot and let the editing apps do the rest. Or you can adjust these settings in your phone to help you get that perfect shot without relying on a bunch of editing.

There are plenty of rooftop bars in Tampa to get you that perfect skyline photo. M.Bird at Armature Works is one of the more popular ones. Beacon, the tallest rooftop bar just recently opened in Tampa. You can find breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline and the waterfront.

There are tons of photo opportunities at Sparkman Wharf. Whether you want to show your love for the 813 in front of the Tampa sign or by the neon heart and peace sign murals. Or you can hang in their open seating area for a more chilled vibe. Either way, Sparkman has the perfect backdrop for you.

Tampa's best-named hotel is a great spot for artsy photo-ops. The luminated staircase offers an appealing optical illusion, the Arts Club has plenty of seductive lighting, and the rooftop pool has so many options for a great backdrop!

Tampa postcard, Ray Charles, Tom Brady, Beyoncé, Tampa Bay Lightning. There are so many different themes for murals across Tampa. Visittampabay.com has a list of all the major ones you can check out here. 

It's especially great during championship boat parades, but any day will do! Take a stroll at sunset to get some gorgeous colors and the University of Tampa as your background!