Florida law says non-residents must carry extra driver's permit (not enforced and being repealed)

Another law not thought out.

Lots of Canadian Snowbirds in FL. Think they will consider somewhere else to go?

I just did.

In many parts of the world, international driving permit (IPD) is required to operate a motor vehicle. Simply because, driver license is issued in the language of issuing country, not the guest country. However, IPD is normally translated into many major languages of the world in one standard format booklet according to Vienna Convention on Road Traffic 1968.

I don't think reading/writing/speaking all type of foreign languages is a requirement for FL police officer, nor required to recognize every driver license issued by every single agencies of the world. How to you expect a police officer to verify a person's ability to drive if that officer can not understand the term/limitation defined in the license?

This is not a law against Canadian friends, but to treat all visiting guests equally.

Will be glad to have them.

It's put on hold, we'll see with time how this turns out.

http://windsor.ctvnews.ca/florida-deferring-international-dr...

The law quite likely violates one of the Geneva Conventions, thus it's on indefinite hold. Florida definitely did not think this through. But then again, thinking things through isn't a requirement in a world where knee-jerk reactions are the order of the day.

I think this is will apply to US citizens visiting Florida base on this:

the department said.

"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."

How about that.

Drove there on vacation last month and no-one bothered me. Yes, i did have Ontario plates.

That was the case before this law, to drive in most states you need a license, I'm from PA, according to this law my PA DL would be allowed to drive on in FL because it's issued by my home state in my name.

I am Canadian and I don't mind saying that I will not consider Florida for another three onth stay if Canadians are not exempted. I am from Ontario and I can say with authority that most all licenses in Canada are printed in English. I cannot speak to French speaking Quebec but believe it possible that theirs is bilingual.
I think the new Florida law was ill thought through and they are shooting themselves in the foot.
In 2010 there were 3.1 million Canadians that visited Florida. Most stay for three months and spend on average about $3,000 dollars US per month here. Do the math and see how that might be buoying the Floridian economy.
Never has any North American jurisdiction reqired any other North American jurisdiction to have an International Drivers Permit. I for one will not purchase one and I think Florida is putting themselves on the same level as European "foreien countries". What a sham

As a Canadian snowbird that has spent winters in Florida and now resides in Arizona for half the year, I'd say AZ would welcome any, and all, Canadians that want to move here from Florida. No extra costs, no humidity, no earthquakes, no hurricanes and no crazier state government than what you have in FL.

One thing not mentioned is that it is a worthless piece of paper.
For me to get an International Drivers License in Iowa I have to go to the local AAA office, pay $10 and a (any)secretary will stamp a page in a booklet and then I have one. I needed one because the car rental company would not rent a car without one and had nothing to do with the government. This is not a legal document for the AAA is not a government agency. The secretary is not a government employee so basically the booklet says that I paid my $10 and they gave me a stamped booklet.
I believe that the power to regulate commerce between countries is the sole power of the Federal government under Section 8 of the Constitution and the state of Florida has no power to tell Canadians how they can enter their state.

Cuba is a favorite for some Canadians and has been for quite some time.

...but it's not a very convenient driving destination....

Mount some pontoons to your vehicle and add a high HP outboard engine or 2 and voila - Cuba here you come!

After all, you are the VersitleGuy!

ML

Driving privileges are issued by the local state, so how is international permitting going to fit in?

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/02/15/florida-suspends-new-dr...

With the exception of words like "colour" & "color" I would hope that a Florida policeman would be able to figure it out.

Now put yourself in our position. Florida expects me to spend about $75-$100 to get an IDP for my wife and I. This has to be done every year. All other US states say we can read your license. Where do you think I feel more welcome and more inclined to visit?

It was just plain nuts on the part of Florida. 3 million Canadians spend a pile of money every year in Florida and I'm sure Alabama or Georgia would love to get a chunk of it.

In Ontario the IDP costs you $25 + 2 photos passport type and in the end goes up $10 more dollars. The license is $75 for 5 years.

What made Florida pass this law? Of all the states that welcome foreign visitors why did Florida think this was necessary? Did something happen, law suite maybe?

Another driving tax for out of state?

I am a Canadian French-speaking and my license is in French only. Did you know that your officers are bilingual.

Yes, they all managed to give us Tickets. Even if our license is in French.

Uh, no. They're not going to change their destination at all. They will comply with the law and enjoy themselves in Florida.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/florida-apologizes-...

Well, there is no profit if you actually obey the law and get the right papers before you come, just expense to you. The profit is on marks who don't know about the law or think they will not get caught paying big fines. Welcome tourists!

(Illegal Mexicans can still do whatever they want and if the Pres, has his way will get Florida drivers licenses, cheaper than the international paperwork!)

It is obvious that Florida lawmakers are complete idiots.

I spend my winter in Mexico and there is nothing that requires me to have an International driving licence!!!!!!!!!

Good thing, Florida voted against this law last week, ouffff

http://politics.heraldtribune.com/2013/03/12/florida-lawmake...

Drive safe and enjoy.Common sense prevail. It was not about the law but how it was brought up. One more for the books...lol.
http://news.ca.msn.com/canada/florida-repeals-international-...

How do they count the number of Canadians visiting Florida?

This was repealed before it even got implemented. Somebody in Tallahassee is probably job hunting by now.

If I recall correctly, my rental of an auto in Europe required an international drivers license several years ago. Seemed reasonable to me.

Fred

and divide by two.

No matter what the law turns out to be, Canada should be exempted. Just one U.S. citizen, FL residents opinion. I'd also exempt the EU.

Perhaps Canada can repeal its requirement to carry a Canadian insurance card. We don't require Canadians to carry a United States card. It is a real pain sometimes to get one.

I do not think it have the same impact.
An internationnal driving license as rather minor consequence.
We're talking about $ 50.

Not having insurance is a lot of money if you need to be hospitalized.

No one was talking about not having insurance, or even not having a piece of paper that shows you have it and gives your policy number. The complaint made, as I understood it, was that the hosers, who complained loudly when told that Florida wouldn't accept their Canadian drivers license, are requiring us to have special Canadian insurance cards rather than just accepting our Insurance cards that were issued in this country. Sounds like a pretty legitimate complaint to me.

Tourism is important to Florida, and state agencies want people to know that Florida’s doors and roadways are open as usual to all visitors.

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles indicates that the permit requirement is not being enforced:

http://flhsmv.gov/FLVisitorsFAQs.htm

And a bill to officially delete the requirement is working its way through Florida's state senate:

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/7022

(I've also added this note to the original post)

JM

Yes that is correct. I have valid New York State insurance cards but they are not valid in Canada. Yet a Canadian carrying a Canadian insurance card is valid in New York State. They do not need to get a New York State non-resident card or even a United States Proof of Insurance Card (which does not exist).

I should note that some insurance company's such as Allstate and USAA are claiming the Canadian card is no longer required in place of your existing U.S. cards. Others are claiming, including the U.S. Department of State travel advisory web site, they are. Go figure...

this is the result of "No Fault insurance"?

It is "no fault" only for those who pay into the system.

I think this is more important than an "english" driver's permit.......

I actually work for a major Auto Insurer in Canada. I believe you have been misinformed about the facts of Insurance. In Canada, you have to have insurance on the vehicle that you are driving. This ensures that all parties involved in an accident are protected. There is no legislation that says you have to have a CANADIAN Insurance card. If you have a valid US insurance card you are fine. Some states do not require your vehicle to be insured, this is why there is a requirement to have insurance. In that case a vehicle that you are driving may need to have an insurance card.

You have been misinformed.

From GPSgeeks daughter in law.

When my wife and I vacationed in Niagara Falls, Canada I had my American insurance company issue me a Canadian insurance card valid only for a few weeks to cover the time I was in Canada. I was told I didn't need one but since they did have them I took one to be safe.