On November 30, 2000, at about 1000 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N617FT, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collided with a taxiway sign while clearing the active runway at Melbourne International Airport, Melbourne, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Pahokee, Florida, about 1 hour before the accident. The student pilot stated he landed on runway 4, and was instructed to turn off on taxiway "R" and to contact ground. He applied brakes to slow down and to initiate his turn to the taxiway. As he proceeded further in the turn he realized he was approaching the grass medium in-between runway 4 and "c" taxiway. He applied full brakes and the left wing collided with the taxiway sign located in the grass median.