V-Flyer

I was wondering if anyone has come across a change in legislation in Florida that from 1 January 2013, that visitors to Florida require an International Driver's Permit.

A homeowners magazine I subscribe to has published the relevant sections and also sought clarification.

Seemingly car hire companies have not caught up with this as yet and are not requesting this yet, but it becomes an issue if stopped by the police or have an accident.

The US Embassy website still states that our UK license is valid for up to one year.

Not heard of this coming in v( Thnks for the clarification Neil y)

Picked up my rental car from Alamo in Phoenix today, booked through the Virgin site, first time ever I have been asked for my passport ! Didn't have it on me as I was staying in an airport hotel.
The guy was very nice and thought I had an honest face ii) , got an upgrade and a brand new Buick Enclave. Rent cars over here several times a year, including in Florida, and so far have never been asked for even for the 'paper' part of my licence lat alone an international driving licence.
If the rumour turns out to be true the rental companies might as well consider halving their fleets as the loss of UK tourists will hit them hard! v(

Nope, am driving in Florida at the moment on my UK licence, so if it is a thing it hasn't filtered down to the rental companies.

Nothing on TheDibb either and they're usually on things like this in a shot.

I've managed to find that if an IDP is required, it costs £5.50
Available from some Post Offices, or via The AA.

For the minimal cost involved, I'm thinking of getting one just in case. I'd hate to have my holiday ruined by not having one.

tekcom wrote:I've managed to find that if an IDP is required, it costs £5.50
Available from some Post Offices, or via The AA.

For the minimal cost involved, I'm thinking of getting one just in case. I'd hate to have my holiday ruined by not having one.

I for one cannot see any need to panic. Further to what Neil says above, the US Embassy website advises that a full national driving license may be used for a period of up to one year in the USA. The Embassy site further advises that International Driving Permits are generally not required in the USA but if they are taken, they are only valid in conjunction with a full national driving license and won't be accepted on their own.

I was aware that they must be presented with Passport and Full UK Driving License in the US.

Further investigation has revealed that it does not apply to vehicles hired through the major rental companies.

It generally refers to "private" motor vehicles.

Given the vast amount of UK visitors to the US and specifically Florida anything so major as this would receive a lot of attention and news prior to and during the implementation of any new regulations. Can you imagine the uproar if pax were suddenly turned away at the car hire desks, I think The Dibb would explode :0

Darren Wheeler wrote:Nothing on TheDibb either and they're usually on things like this in a shot.

Darren I posted on the Dibb and got shot down

Usually the IDP is more of a "translation device" than anything else.

The Bill can be found at
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/ ... ONLINE.pdf

Search for section 322.04 on page 194.

My understanding is this became law on 1st January 2013.

Also here - this is the updated statute.
http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2012/322.04
Part 322.04 sub-section c-2 is pretty clear.

You can clearly see the change from the 2011 statute here -
http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2011/322.04

If true, it looks like yet another way to bleed tourists. I'd guess that we all have our breaking points - push us too far and you simply won't get our tourist $$$$...

catsilversword wrote:If true, it looks like yet another way to bleed tourists. I'd guess that we all have our breaking points - push us too far and you simply won't get our tourist $$$$...

But in this case the cash doesn't go to Florida. The IDP is acquired from the UK Post Office for £5.50 - so stays in the UK.

OK - but somehow, that helps not at all....

Just been emailed back by flhsmv.gov who confirm that an IDP IS required for UK visitors to Florida.
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FLHSMV are the state vehicle licensing authority.

wanna bet no car hire company enfoces it...I will call the guy I know at hertz later and see what he has been told

stevebrass wrote:Just been emailed back by flhsmv.gov who confirm that an IDP IS required for UK visitors to Florida.
?|
FLHSMV are the state vehicle licensing authority.

Wow that is seriously hot news :0

I had a quite look on the main car rental agency sites (including Alamo used by VH) and there is no mention anywhere of this new bit of legislation.

Wonder how its going to be enforced, especially as most of the visitors have not been informed in advance

flabound wrote:wanna bet no car hire company enfoces it...I will call the guy I know at hertz later and see what he has been told

Be very interested to hear his take on it!

flabound wrote:wanna bet no car hire company enfoces it...I will call the guy I know at hertz later and see what he has been told

Car hire companies wont care.

The issue is if you are stopped by the police or worse - have an accident. Insurance companies look for every get out and this gives them one on a plate - invalid documentation.

Spill wrote:

flabound wrote:wanna bet no car hire company enfoces it...I will call the guy I know at hertz later and see what he has been told

Car hire companies wont care.

The issue is if you are stopped by the police or worse - have an accident. Insurance companies look for every get out and this gives them one on a plate - invalid documentation.

And ignorance is not a valid defence.

Thanks for all the work done by you chaps.
Will get my permit just in case, as posted if you are unlucky and have an accident may not be covered by insurance

David

Just got this from the AA website about IDP
they say you should have a IDP for the USA

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/ov ... untry.html see USA and loook under J