Foreign Citizens Visiting Florida
#1
Foreign Citizens Visiting Florida
Foreign Citizens Visiting Florida
If you will be visiting Florida and driving on a foreign driver license, as of January 1, 2013 you must have in your possession an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by your country of residence and a valid license from that country. This applies to any vehicle, including rental vehicles. The IDP must be in the customer's name and from their country of residence. Again, this permit is only to be shown in conjunction with a valid driver license issued from your country, not as a substitute. You will need to contact the authorities in your country who issued your driver's license, or the motoring association there, to find out how to obtain an IDP. A listing of associations in foreign countries authorized to issue an IDP is provided for your reference, courtesy of the American Automobile Assn (AAA).
http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/idp.html
If you will be visiting Florida and driving on a foreign driver license, as of January 1, 2013 you must have in your possession an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by your country of residence and a valid license from that country. This applies to any vehicle, including rental vehicles. The IDP must be in the customer's name and from their country of residence. Again, this permit is only to be shown in conjunction with a valid driver license issued from your country, not as a substitute. You will need to contact the authorities in your country who issued your driver's license, or the motoring association there, to find out how to obtain an IDP. A listing of associations in foreign countries authorized to issue an IDP is provided for your reference, courtesy of the American Automobile Assn (AAA).
http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/idp.html
#2
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: Foreign Citizens Visiting Florida
I'd be really interested to see if this is actually upheld and whether the hire car companies insist on it at the point of booking.
They look like they've been made by a 5 year old as part of a class project. They're quite bulky and really fragile. Complete waste of time in my opinion and seldom used.
They look like they've been made by a 5 year old as part of a class project. They're quite bulky and really fragile. Complete waste of time in my opinion and seldom used.
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,886
Re: Foreign Citizens Visiting Florida
I also wonder whether this is a legal move by Florida. I thought that IDPs were governed by some international treaty, which would be the remit of the federal government.
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2010
Location: GA
Posts: 656
Re: Foreign Citizens Visiting Florida
We got those, no one ever wanted to see them.
#6
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: Foreign Citizens Visiting Florida
Anyone else think this just sounds like a way for Florida to make more money?!
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2010
Location: GA
Posts: 656
Re: Foreign Citizens Visiting Florida
Don't think so. You get the international driving license before you leave... I can't remember if it's free or not but we certainly didn't pay any money to Florida for them.
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2010
Location: GA
Posts: 656
Re: Foreign Citizens Visiting Florida
Oh... very clever.
#11
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: Foreign Citizens Visiting Florida
#13
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: Foreign Citizens Visiting Florida
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2010
Location: GA
Posts: 656
Re: Foreign Citizens Visiting Florida
Just remembered. I was stopped by police for speeding in a school zone. (It was in Miami, I don't live there so I was slightly confused, did not do it on purpose...) Anyway, I showed my foreign license and said I was really sorry. He let me off. No request for international driving license and no fine.
But of course you might be right and some officers would fine you.
But of course you might be right and some officers would fine you.