kingsgirl Posted February 14, 2013 #1 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Canadians (and other foreigners) need to have a special international drivers license to be able to legally drive in the state of Florida. The ban went into effect in January but it's just making the news now, apparently. This article is out of Toronto: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/02/14/floridas_international_drivers_licence_rule_leaves_canadians_fuming.html Just thought others would like to know in case you were planning on renting a car or are driving down from Canada that you need this license. I apologize if this has been posted before - I did not find any searches for it. This affects our cruise drive for us, so I wanted to get the word out to others to make sure they make it safely to port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare S.A.M.J.R. Posted February 14, 2013 #2 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Posted on another message board about the same topic: I looked this up on the FL DMV website and this is what it said: New Law Impacts International Drivers During the 2012 legislative session, the Florida Legislature amended section 322.04, Florida Statutes, to require visitors from outside the United States to have an International Driving Permit in order to drive lawfully in Florida. This change took effect Jan. 1, 2013. It has come to the Department’s attention that this requirement may violate the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949), an international treaty to which the United States is a signatory. Treaties to which the United States is a party preempt state laws in conflict with them. Therefore, the Florida Highway Patrol will defer enforcement of violations of the amended statutory section until a final determination of the alignment of the amendment with the treaty can be made. Non-resident visitors to Florida who wish to drive while here will be required to have in their immediate possession a valid driver license issued in his or her name from another state or territory of the U.S. or from their country of residence. However, the FHP will not take enforcement action based solely on the lack of an International Driving Permit. http://www.flhsmv.gov/IDP.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsgirl Posted February 14, 2013 Author #3 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I don't understand then? Why is it being reported that you need one if you don't? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare S.A.M.J.R. Posted February 14, 2013 #4 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I don't understand then? Why is it being reported that you need one if you don't? Because "thestar.com" doesn't have the newest information maybe? If I understand correctly, this law SHOULD have gone into effect Jan. 1. However, because someone pointed out to the Florida Department of Highways that the law is basically "illegal", they're not going to enforce it until things get sorted out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1cat4jan Posted February 14, 2013 #5 Share Posted February 14, 2013 It's another case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing. Typical government behavior. I suggest printing out the government issued disclaimer from that website and keep it with your Driver's License. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missus Makkem Posted February 14, 2013 #6 Share Posted February 14, 2013 if it is confirmed as law in Florida it will apply to us Brits too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted February 14, 2013 #7 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Something tells me that little nugget of brilliance will never be enforced. I don't think tourists are even the target of it. I won't go any further than that, for fear of sparking a much larger debate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zekekelso Posted February 14, 2013 #8 Share Posted February 14, 2013 However, because someone pointed out to the Florida Department of Highways that the law is basically "illegal", they're not going to enforce it until things get sorted out. Not just illegal, but idiotic. The point of the law is to deal with licenses in foreign language. Apparently, the folks drafting the law didn't realize there are foreign countries that issue documents in English. Foreign country = foreign language, no? Nobody has ever accused the Florida legislature of being the brightest bulbs in the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare orville99 Posted February 14, 2013 #9 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I don't understand then? Why is it being reported that you need one if you don't? When has following up and fact-checking ever gotten in the way of a juicy "news" story:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsgirl Posted February 14, 2013 Author #10 Share Posted February 14, 2013 This is only hitting Canadian news agencies today and they are ALL reporting that we Canadians have to have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baby girl Posted February 14, 2013 #11 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Something tells me that little nugget of brilliance will never be enforced. I don't think tourists are even the target of it. I won't go any further than that, for fear of sparking a much larger debate. I agree with you. I know what you're saying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
north29 Posted February 14, 2013 #12 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I got a international license for Europe and Rental car but never needed it or ask for it. I live in Florida and yes the thinking of some of our politicians seem to be limited. I bet they never in force it or even ask for it at a rental agency, but the only problem I see, may be if you have an accident, no matter how serious, the law could be a problem. Funny we in Florida, maybe just me, never heard of this law. I can see it now, Driver license wars between the rest of the world and Florida LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyiam Posted February 14, 2013 #13 Share Posted February 14, 2013 From the CAA in Canada, posted today: "Effective January 1, 2013, section 322.04, Florida Statutes were amended to require foreign visitors who drive in Florida to obtain an International Driving Permit in addition to their valid home country driver licence. “The intent of the change in Florida law regarding the International Driving Permit was to aid law enforcement in Florida when interacting with drivers holding a licence in a foreign language. The Department of Highway Safety will seek to clarify the law in the upcoming Legislative session, which begins next month, to make it clear that a licence already written in English would be acceptable. Until the law is clarified, drivers should obtain an IDP,” said Kirsten Olsen-Doolan, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles spokesperson. International Driving Permits should be obtained before arriving in the U.S. Individuals should contact their home country agency for assistance. “" I believe this will still impact drivers from Quebec as they have French on their drivers license. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsgirl Posted February 14, 2013 Author #14 Share Posted February 14, 2013 CTV News is now reporting that it will not be enforced at least until March. http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/florida-won-t-immediately-enforce-international-driver-s-licence-rule-officials-1.1156483 Doesn't help us as we leave on March 8 for a March 11 cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare S.A.M.J.R. Posted February 14, 2013 #15 Share Posted February 14, 2013 From the CAA in Canada, posted today: "Effective January 1, 2013, section 322.04, Florida Statutes were amended to require foreign visitors who drive in Florida to obtain an International Driving Permit in addition to their valid home country driver licence. “The intent of the change in Florida law regarding the International Driving Permit was to aid law enforcement in Florida when interacting with drivers holding a licence in a foreign language. The Department of Highway Safety will seek to clarify the law in the upcoming Legislative session, which begins next month, to make it clear that a licence already written in English would be acceptable. Until the law is clarified, drivers should obtain an IDP,” said Kirsten Olsen-Doolan, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles spokesperson. International Driving Permits should be obtained before arriving in the U.S. Individuals should contact their home country agency for assistance. “" I believe this will still impact drivers from Quebec as they have French on their drivers license. Please read post #2 above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyiam Posted February 14, 2013 #16 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I just saw the update on the news. I guess, like many decisions made, this will be a work in progress. I will probably get one just in case before my drive down in March. They may change their minds a couple of more times by then. Thanks also for the quick pick up S.A.M.J.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wscott52 Posted February 14, 2013 #17 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Something tells me that little nugget of brilliance will never be enforced. I don't think tourists are even the target of it. I won't go any further than that, for fear of sparking a much larger debate. ¿Por qué no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc cruiser Posted February 14, 2013 #18 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I am a native floridian and when we drive in Canada, we have to get a special insurance card from our automobile insurance co. in order to drive in their country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMESCC Posted February 14, 2013 #19 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Welcome to the great state of Florida, they have an absolute dope for a Governor. I'm not saying because of what party he is in, he is just plainly a dope. This law is absolutely ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandmandan Posted February 14, 2013 #20 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I have to agree. This is just one of many bonehead decisions this governor has made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoosh21 Posted February 14, 2013 #21 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Something tells me that little nugget of brilliance will never be enforced. I don't think tourists are even the target of it. I won't go any further than that, for fear of sparking a much larger debate. Yep, targeted one group and didnt even realize they were hurting their bread and butter. I am surprised that Disney and Universal havent already gotten this law overturned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsgirl Posted February 14, 2013 Author #22 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I'm more frustrated over the fact that the law wasn't more publicized. I mean, how were people supposed to ever find out about this decision unless they got pulled over by a cop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topo Gigio Posted February 14, 2013 #23 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Just rented last week at MIA with my non us/international drivers license! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapleleafforever Posted February 14, 2013 #24 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Nice cash grab. Anything to help the economy down there I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathep Posted February 14, 2013 #25 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I thought for sure this was going to warn about the speed traps in South Georgia. Oh well.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.