Find out who needs to stop at an agricultural inspection station, where the stations are located, and what officers are looking for.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is entrusted with wide-ranging responsibilities to protect Florida’s agriculture, natural resources and consumers.

Chapter 570, Florida Statutes, provides that FDACS’s Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) has the primary responsibility to enforce laws involving livestock, poultry, aquaculture, and other animals and animal products; farms and farm equipment; citrus, horticultural and other agricultural goods; and issues like trespassing, littering, forest fires, and the theft or damage of forest products. OALE also enforces laws related to the enforcement of a marketing order, consumer protection, civil traffic offenses, drug or alcohol use on department-managed property, and emergency situations where a person’s life, safety or property is in immediate danger.

Additionally, under Section 570.15, Florida Statues, FDACS has the authority to inspect vehicles that are — or could be — used in the production, storage, sale or transportation of food, agricultural, horticultural or livestock products, or any item under the department’s legal authority.

Roadside Inspections

On August 1, 2025, FDACS published a Notice of Proposed Rule updating existing rule that pertains to procedures for conducting vehicle inspections. The updates include inspection procedures for agricultural inspection pads and paved side pads located parallel to state roads without a fixed inspection station — which are used to establish temporary agricultural inspection sites. Additionally, the rule includes inspection procedures for mobile or roving OALE officers assigned to patrol the roadways of the state whose primary purpose is the interdiction of any food product; any agricultural, horticultural or livestock product; or any item under the department’s legal authority.

What Is an Agricultural Inspection Station?

OALE operates 23 agricultural inspection stations strategically located on 19 major highways at Florida's entry and exit points. These stations aim to protect Florida’s agriculture and ensure a safe food supply. Currently, an expansion is underway for Agricultural Inspection Station 20 on Highway 231 near the Florida/Alabama border.

The stations are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are staffed by law enforcement officers whose main duty is to prevent plant and animal pests and diseases and unsafe food from entering Florida.

Who Has to Stop at an Inspection Station?

The following vehicles must stop and submit to inspection:

• Trucks,
• Rental trucks,
• Vans,
• Trailers AND
• Any vehicles carrying agricultural, horticultural or livestock products

Who Does NOT Have to Stop?

The following vehicles can bypass inspection:

• Private passenger automobiles with no trailer in tow,
• Travel trailers,
• Camping vehicles,
• Van conversions,
• Motor homes AND
• Pickup trucks that have visible access to the entire cargo area and are not carrying agricultural, horticultural or livestock products

What Are Officers Looking For?

• Agricultural products that are not in compliance with state and federal plant quarantine regulations
• Agricultural products that have not been inspected
• Agricultural pests
• Plants and animals that are carrying diseases
• Unsafe food products
• Food products that are improperly stored

What Do I Need to Bring Horses Into Florida?

When you stop at an inspection station, officers will ask to see a health certificate and negative Coggins test results for each animal. Read more about bringing horses into Florida.

What Do I Need to Bring Other Livestock Into Florida?

Learn about Florida’s animal movement requirements.

Where Are the Inspection Stations?

Agricultural inspection stations located in Florida: