International Driver Permit requirement in Florida

So is it, as the name suggests, truly international, or international, but only valdez in some countries???

You say tomato, I say tomato. Let's call the whole thing off.

Picked mine up today, 5 mins in the post office and £5.50 lighter, the lady said it was the 3rd one she'd done today

Picked mine up today, 5 mins in the post office and £5.50 lighter, the lady said it was the 3rd one she'd done today

I think the POs are about to be overwhelmed with applications.

Tried to get one today at the post office, told they have never had any IDP's and know nothing about them!!!!

Tried to get one today at the post office, told they have never had any IDP's and know nothing about them!!!!

This is not unique to 'your' PO diamon4. Not every PO issues - if you read back on this forum you will see that posters have travelled 20+ miles to get their IDP. There is a list of POs which issue these docs on the AA website (other websites are available ): ) but if you are not prepared to travel you can apply by post through the AA or RAC. However, this will cost an extra £2.50, making the total cost £8.

[Neil]

There is a search facility on this pages on the Post Office Website where you can find the nearest PO branch to you that issues the IDP's

Anyone here from Liverpool who handed in their application to the post office WH Smiths today? If you're from L36 with the initials IL please contact me as I have been handed your completed form when I went in and requested a form to complete at home.

While not mine, it's good to know that the Post office in Smiths in Liverpool does these, it's just round the corner from my office.
There are 5 of us going out in may, think we'll need at least 4. :/

According to the Toronto Star, Canadians have been advised that, from 1 Jan 13, they require an IDP to drive in Florida. The article added that the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is looking to “clarify the law” so that English-language licences would be acceptable. However, the next legislative session begins in March, and the soonest any change might happen would be July.
As the whole point of an IDP is to translate licences into English, perhaps this is a glimmer of logic in the whole non-sensical business?

Live in America for a while. Nothing makes sense after a while.

[Darren Wheeler]

Is it because there is something in law in Florida that prevents discrimination on language etc? Therefore it's aimed at licences in Spanish (Mexico/Cuba) but they have to apply it all rather than selectively to certain languages.

[Neil]

Just to add further confusion to the subject

Looks like its been suspended according to flhsmv.gov
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.
As clear as mud now!

So looks like one isn't needed now?

[Darren Wheeler]

But, what about insurance companies? Just because FHP won't enforce, for now, as long as the stature remains active, it's still a requirement.

Until the State Senate amends/repeals/revokes the statute, I'd suggest err on the side of caution for the sake of £5.50.

But, what about insurance companies? Just because FHP won't enforce, for now, as long as the stature remains active, it's still a requirement.

Until the State Senate amends/repeals/revokes the statute, I'd suggest err on the side of caution for the sake of £5.50.

Quite so Mr W.

But what a muddle!

Oh dear, please let us go back to the good old days

We used to book our holiday to Florida and enjoy the build up with excitement.

Now it's so stressful. If its not bad enough to have to pay a fortune for the flight which may or may not be up to the standards we came to expect - these days we have to worry ESTAs, then we can't request seats when we book the expensive flight, we also all the worries about a packed immigration hall which can mean sitting on the tarmac before we disembark, and now there's horror stories about not having the proper car license documents which could put us on the wrong side of the law.

Good grief I'm beginning to wonder if its worth going to Florida these days ii) ii)

[Darren Wheeler]

But, what about insurance companies? Just because FHP won't enforce, for now, as long as the stature remains active, it's still a requirement.

Until the State Senate amends/repeals/revokes the statute, I'd suggest err on the side of caution for the sake of £5.50.

Quite so Mr W.

But what a muddle!

Indeed. One thing about the whole affair that has slightly riled me is the assumption that the Senate haven't told anyone. To be honest I just don't see that being the case. More likely the notification is on someones desk in FHP, Alamo, Herts etc. and they haven't read it fully.

[Neil]

Regarding the insurance, most UK travellers will hire their car that includes insurance from the hire car company. Now if the hire car company hasn't informed you that you a IDP, and it isn't in their rental T&C's how can they not validate any insurance claim? As long as you fully conform to the insurance companies T&C's then you aren't doing anything wrong.

The issue for me was being stopped by a law enforcement officer and not having the necessary documents. If they believe there is some issue and aren't going to enforce this law then that now isn't an issue.

Regarding the insurance, most UK travellers will hire their car that includes insurance from the hire car company. Now if the hire car company hasn't informed you that you a IDP, and it isn't in their rental T&C's how can they not validate any insurance claim? As long as you fully conform to the insurance companies T&C's then you aren't doing anything wrong.

The issue for me was being stopped by a law enforcement officer and not having the necessary documents. If they believe there is some issue and aren't going to enforce this law then that now isn't an issue.

Neil,

I agree with your hypothesis on the insurance issue. Also it was good to read in your previous post that the FHP do not intend to enforce the IDP issue. BUT, what about the seemingly endless number of other law enforcement agencies, what's their stance?
I am tending to agree with stevebrass' view that, for the sake of £5.50........

Regarding the insurance, most UK travellers will hire their car that includes insurance from the hire car company. Now if the hire car company hasn't informed you that you a IDP, and it isn't in their rental T&C's how can they not validate any insurance claim? As long as you fully conform to the insurance companies T&C's then you aren't doing anything wrong.

The issue for me was being stopped by a law enforcement officer and not having the necessary documents. If they believe there is some issue and aren't going to enforce this law then that now isn't an issue.

Because the insurance underwriters will specify that the car hire companies must ensure drivers have an appropriate licence.

So if you do not have anIDP you are not complying with the insurance underwriters terms. Not your fault of course, and you might have an action against the car hire company.

But you know my view - pay £5.50 and your are bullet proof

I agree with you Stevebrass
Off to get ours tomorrow, best to be safe than sorry. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

David

96 days until Orlando

[Neil]

BBC breakfast talking about it just now...

IDP is still officially required, FHP aren't going to enforce it..

Some rental companies have been refusing to hire cars without them??!!

Ah yes, Simon Calder ii) trying to clarify the situation !!!

I haven't read or seen anything about anyone being refused one, and nearly all the hire companies don't have anything on their website regarding it so think that might not have been the truth.

I guess we will find out more in the coming days/weeks but think anyone travelling soon should get one just to be on the safe side.

Live in America for a while. Nothing makes sense after a while.

oh so true. for 'the greatest country in the world' read 'quite often the biggest **** ups in the world'

it certainly opens your eyes living rather than holidaying here

[Neil]

According to many sources and car hire firms, this law has now been deferred so there is currently no requirement for an IDP

Here is the statement on the TCD website

and here is the statement from the Florida Department of Motor vehicles

According to many sources and car hire firms, this law has now been deferred so there is currently no requirement for an IDP

Here is the statement on the TCD website

and here is the statement from the Florida Department of Motor vehicles

The statute still stands. The situation is that the Florida HSMV are deferring enforcing any violations.

The AA are currently strongly recommending an IDP.