NO IDP NEEDED FOR CANADIANS About This Page:

[cdnmickeyfan]

You do not need to get an IDP for driving in Florida. No Florida law enforcement agency will be enforcing it. It's all over the news up here. Even the insurance bureau of Canada is saying that its not needed as well as car rental agencies. I feel sorry for all of those people who went out and got one. What a cash grab its been for CAA up here!! The law was originally instated because officers couldn't read drivers licences that weren't in English.

[chezp]

I hope the information about this is right, as I've just found this on the AA (Automobile Association for the UK) website, which appears to contradict this:

R – USA (Florida) compulsory IDP – 1 January 2013
A law introduced in Florida, USA, on 1 January 2013 requires all persons who hold a licence issued outside of the US to carry an International Driving Permit along with their national driving licence. Without an IDP, a driver is therefore driving without a valid licence. If stopped, law enforcement has the options of:

• Arresting the driver and taking them to jail
• Or giving the driver a citation with a mandatory court appearance

[cdnmickeyfan]

I think they didn't really think this one through. The law was intended for non-English drivers licenses so that officers would be able to verify the licence. It was never intended for English written drivers licences. Plus they are now saying that the law is against the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. Several if not all Florida police agencies have said they will not enforce this law and the law itself is being reviewed. Yes if you have a non-English drivers licence I would get an IDP but if your drivers licence is in English I wouldn't get an IDP. We are going in may and won't be getting one.

[shazza]

Does anyone know if the rental agencies are enforcing this new law? That could be a determining factor in whether people with licenses in English really need to get the IDP.

[cdnmickeyfan]

According to the news up here , they will not be asking for an IDP.

[Thomhazel]

To me it is too confusing and I'm just not going to take the risk

[Tishypops]

I am advising all of my clients to get it anyway. For the sake of a couple of pounds it is worth not having the hassle


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[Dave Marx]

There's an awful lot of Canadian "sunbirds" driving down to South Florida every year. They definitely did not think this through. It's easy to see how a "Canadian exception" is a business necessity (presuming the rest of the law stands).

Not only are there international conventions to consider, but the treaties between the US and Canada. Those trump anything a state or province might try to do.

[chezp]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

There's an awful lot of Canadian "sunbirds" driving down to South Florida every year. They definitely did not think this through. It's easy to see how a "Canadian exception" is a business necessity (presuming the rest of the law stands).

Not only are there international conventions to consider, but the treaties between the US and Canada. Those trump anything a state or province might try to do.

From something I was reading earlier (the Orlando Sentinel), they're also saying that this law may feel in the face of various international treaties. Visit Orlando are reportedly concerned about the impact this could have on international tourism to the state, particularly from Canada and the UK.

[cdnmickeyfan]

It seems this law that quietly went into effect is now totally backfiring on them. They have so confused everyone with this. I can't believe that they seriously did not think this through. I have no doubt that either the law will be restated to exclude English written drivers licences or just repeal the law entirely.

This is such a mess!!!

[BlueCinderellaEyes]

I heard about this yeasterday. Wow crazy. I did hear that they along with 2-3 other states will not be inforcing it. Thank heavens

[Dave Marx]

Originally Posted by cdnmickeyfan

It seems this law that quietly went into effect is now totally backfiring on them. They have so confused everyone with this. I can't believe that they seriously did not think this through. I have no doubt that either the law will be restated to exclude English written drivers licences or just repeal the law entirely.

This is such a mess!!!

The legislature probably doesn't get a chance to either repeal or amend. The state simply has no jurisdiction, English-language exception or not. If someone gets this before a judge before the legislature reconvenes, it's gone.

[Sue M.]

I left for Florida Jan 18, hadn't even heard about this "law" then, and I had no problem renting a car from Alamo. I wasn't asked about IDL, and didn't even hear about this law, until a few days ago when it was on the BCTV news hour!

I'm glad I hadn't heard about it before my trip, I'd have been a nervous wreck, I need a car rental because I fly into Ft. Lauderdale first to visit family, then drive up to WDW. I never use a car rental at WDW, we return it after check in.

[Tim Sullivan]

Originally Posted by cdnmickeyfan

You do not need to get an IDP for driving in Florida. No Florida law enforcement agency will be enforcing it. It's all over the news up here. Even the insurance bureau of Canada is saying that its not needed as well as car rental agencies. I feel sorry for all of those people who went out and got one. What a cash grab its been for CAA up here!! The law was originally instated because officers couldn't read drivers licences that weren't in English.

Cash grab for CAA?? Really? That would infer that the CAA has anything to do with this law. They are the ones that supply the IDP, so don't shoot the messenger here, it isn't their fault some Florida politician baked their head a bit too much in the hot sun

My Dad just got a message back from the Governor's office as both he and my Mom winter in Fla, and was told that Canadians (or at the very least Ontarioans) will not need the license. It seems like this has been a huge mis communication, probably a case of some bureaucrat coming up with a "great idea" that is going to cause more trouble than it's worth

Tim

[Papa Mouse]

Here's the latest info on foreign driving in Florida.

HSMV: New Law Impacts International Drivers