International Driver Permit requirement in Florida

I'll be very surprised if the Florida state department of driver and vehicle licensing come back with anything other than a quote of the relevant statute.

Anything else is leaving them wide open in any future legal proceedings.

I agree. But hopefully will they update their website to reflect the new law!

[Darren Wheeler]

and tell the rental companies

While I am not totally convinced of the need to get an IDP for Florida driving, at least this site (and the DIBB) have informed me of the potential requirement. BUT, how does your average once-in-a-lifetime WDW visitor from the UK know about this - nothing is being pedalled by travel agents. Is it not about time that some responsible ( ?| ) agency, FCO perhaps, gave some definitive guidance?

While I am not totally convinced of the need to get an IDP for Florida driving, at least this site (and the DIBB) have informed me of the potential requirement. BUT, how does your average once-in-a-lifetime WDW visitor from the UK know about this - nothing is being pedalled by travel agents. Is it not about time that some responsible ( ?| ) agency, FCO perhaps, gave some definitive guidance?

Well put.

While I am not totally convinced of the need to get an IDP for Florida driving, at least this site (and the DIBB) have informed me of the potential requirement. BUT, how does your average once-in-a-lifetime WDW visitor from the UK know about this - nothing is being pedalled by travel agents. Is it not about time that some responsible ( ?| ) agency, FCO perhaps, gave some definitive guidance?

Well put.

Sorry but you can't expect the FCO to keep up with every piece of legislation that is enacted around the world in 200 odd countries and especially for a country like the USA where there can be 50 separate state laws that can differ wildly from each other even though they are on the same subject.

I bet even the UK Dept of Transport aren't aware of every specific piece of transport legislation around the world either.

From what was said earlier even the US Embassy doesn't know about it.

While I am not totally convinced of the need to get an IDP for Florida driving, at least this site (and the DIBB) have informed me of the potential requirement. BUT, how does your average once-in-a-lifetime WDW visitor from the UK know about this - nothing is being pedalled by travel agents. Is it not about time that some responsible ( ?| ) agency, FCO perhaps, gave some definitive guidance?

Well put.

Sorry but you can't expect the FCO to keep up with every piece of legislation that is enacted around the world in 200 odd countries and especially for a country like the USA where there can be 50 separate state laws that can differ wildly from each other even though they are on the same subject.

I bet even the UK Dept of Transport aren't aware of every specific piece of transport legislation around the world either.

From what was said earlier even the US Embassy doesn't know about it.

Tontybear, I wasn't holding up the FCO as the ultimate guru on this subject, it was merely a suggestion. However, is it beyond the realms of expectation for some organisation (ABTA, ATOL, Tufty Club) to be able to offer advice to citizens of the country in which they operate? My POV only, but surely one I am entitled to put forward.

The problem with Florida (and I have a Florida driving licence) is that the whole state is full of weapons of mass destruction, better known as snowbirds with blue rinses driving around In those big ld Cadillacs.

We could start an entire forum on how bad the driving is in the USA, state by state.

The problem with Florida (and I have a Florida driving licence) is that the whole state is full of weapons of mass destruction, better known as snowbirds with blue rinses driving around In those big ld Cadillacs.

OMG, how true. Don't you just love the ones looking for a parking spot in a car park. At first they miss it but suddenly brakes go on and they put their car in reverse, in total oblivion of anyone behind ii)

Just a thought re the IDP. The Americans do not understand the UK driving license. Many times I was asked for the 'photo' bit before I got one of those. I think this is why the legislation has come in, especially in Florida. Photo ID is an issue in the US and the little one year IDP with a photo will show that the 'renter' is the one holding the licence, open the fraud of course but what isn't
Immediate clear clarification of the law is necessary.

[Darren Wheeler]

It's not just UK licences. Florida must get the highest number of licences from different countries than any other state. In French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese etc.

How many low-paid car rental clerks or how many state troopers can understand there languages. It's far easier to legislate against everyone than to have clauses for this or any other country. IPD mandatory - one size fits all.

It appears the IDP isn't particularly well known even with the police/sheriff's department. I have asked a neighbour of mine in Florida who is a deputy and he has no knowledge of it! Nevertheless, I will hopefully obtain one this week - just erring on the side of caution!!

I will post my how my application goes.

From a friend who is a loooootenant in the police "A what?".

Silver Fox, ????

Silver Fox, ????

IDP

I've checked the FHP website and it stares you don't need one unless your licence is not in English and is not mandatory that you obtain one to drive in Florida however if u don't have one a recognisable form of ID can be beneficial the issue is some counties don't have photo licences and I suspect having the IDP would help in these circumstances

I've checked the FHP website and it stares you don't need one unless your licence is not in English and is not mandatory that you obtain one to drive in Florida however if u don't have one a recognisable form of ID can be beneficial the issue is some counties don't have photo licences and I suspect having the IDP would help in these circumstances

When was that site last updated? Wouldn't it be great if all authorities were on the same page? Or even on the same book? ii)

The Dibb has had confirmation from the Florida State Motor Vehicle agency that an IDP is needed.

A driver found driving without one could be arrested/jailed/fined.

Still nothing of else on the websites of Car Hire firms etc about this.

Having checked the Florida State Motor Vehicle web site here it confirms that UK drivers DO need an IDP as of Jan 1st 2013

Having checked the Florida State Motor Vehicle web site here it confirms that UK drivers DO need an IDP as of Jan 1st 2013

Well this link certainly seems to give conclusive evidence of the IDP requirement when visiting Florida.

However this sentence seems a contradiction if your license is already written in English v(

"The IDP serves to translate the information from your existing license into English
prior to visiting Florida"


So glad we are heading to the West coast in a few weeks, rather than our usual trip to Florida ii)

[Darren Wheeler]

The Dibb has had confirmation from the Florida State Motor Vehicle agency that an IDP is needed.

A driver found driving without one could be arrested/jailed/fined.

Still nothing of else on the websites of Car Hire firms etc about this.

Give a week or so and I'll put good money on their sites being updated. Likewise. City, county and state law enforcement being up to speed.

Mind you, some wont believe it even if the Govenor of Florida turned up on their doorstep.

Today I got my IDP - with Passport, UK Driving License, completed application form, £5.50 fee and 5 minute wait in a queue at the Post Office! y)

For such a small amount of time and money it's worth having it to cover one's self. (Being a British car owner in Florida I don't want the risk, in the event of an accident, not having all the documentation and my insurance company not covering any loss).

On the AA website there is list of Post Offices that will process an IDP while you wait.

What odds that with the many thousands now needing an IDP that the price suddenly goes up from£5.50

It's not just UK licences. Florida must get the highest number of licences from different countries than any other state. In French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese etc.

How many low-paid car rental clerks or how many state troopers can understand there languages. It's far easier to legislate against everyone than to have clauses for this or any other country. IPD mandatory - one size fits all.

The Wyoming State Trooper who stopped us appeared to have difficulty understanding DH's UK photocard licence ii)
He also couldn't understand that we had rented the car in Washington State, were now in Wyoming, headed to Colorado. He seemed convinced we'd stolen the vehicle!

DH will be getting an IDP just in case this particular chap has transferred to Florida. :w

The Wyoming State Trooper who stopped us appeared to have difficulty understanding DH's UK photocard licence ii)
He also couldn't understand that we had rented the car in Washington State, were now in Wyoming, headed to Colorado. He seemed convinced we'd stolen the vehicle

Let's face it without wishing to be rude they are not the most worldly wise folk. Everyone laughed at Georg W Bush for being a fool and he was Ivy League educated. The average American doesn't have a clue about thing that don't concern the good old USA.

Trying hard to understand the reasoning behind this new law but at the end of the day it comes down to this.....

I need to translate my Engligh written driving license onto an International Driver Permit so it can be read in the American language