Bink

Point #3 on the previous link

Suppose I do not want to spend the extra $15, what could happen?

If you are asked to show proof of driving eligibility, the potential fines or bond charges could be costly, and may be required in local currency. The $15 permit charge is a small amount to pay for the security a permit provides through identification.

And from the AA link:

USA (Florida) compulsory IDP – 1 January 2013

A law introduced in Florida, USA, on 1 January 2013 requires all persons who hold a licence issued outside of the US to carry an International Driving Permit along with their national driving licence.

Without an IDP, a driver is therefore driving without a valid licence. If stopped, law enforcement has the options of:
Arresting the driver and taking them to jail
Or giving the driver a citation with a mandatory court appearance

Both of these are money making devices far in excess of the fee for the IDP.

slummymummy

Oh interesting. I was stopped before 1 jan 2013. Now I have a FL licence anyway. Will tell my dad, who will be visiting, about this. Thanks.

jeffreyhy

OK, I yield.

Regards, JEff

MarylandNed

Yeah, I heard about this yesterday. It hasn't been thought through very well. The idea was to help cops who were being presented with foreign licenses that were not in English. However, they should have thought about an exemption for licenses that are in English. For example, about 3 million Canadians vacation in Florida each year and they are not going to want to purchase an IDP that is valid for 1 year. This was a dumb move. Apparently even the staff at the major car rental agencies don't know about the new law.

Wibblypig

I thought it was just for licenses that weren't in English?

I doubt they are doing it to earn money, they earn enough catching everyone who doesn't stop properly at stop signs. TBH the tourists are better drivers than the locals

Nutmegger

Interesting -- my reaction when I read Ray's post was that it might be at the rental agencies that this would be "policed" with the companies not renting to someone who can't produce the international permit.

Bink

It's an interesting one though as I really wonder how they'll police it. Unless they convince the rental companies to check for it I just can't see the point in it. It's not like they can see that you don't have an IDP as you're driving down the road.

Unless they fine the rental companies for not checking, the rental companies aren't going to give two hoots if someone has an IDP or not if they have a valid foriegn license. It's only likely to lose them business.

jeffreyhy

I think Wp hit on it in post #20 - the purpose is so that when police officers stop someone from a country where the language is not English, or worse the written language doesn't use the Roman alphabet, the officer will have a chance of knowing whether or not the person's drivers license is really a drivers license.

Regards, JEff

Giantaxe

Looks like my supposition is correct and that this may be illegal:

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/02...n_2686709.html

Bob

Of course it is. It's easy for cops to spot a rental and chances are, it'll be a Brit or Canadian, so it's a easy ticket.

They were talking about this in the Canadian forums a couple days ago.

RICH

You nailed it

http://www.flhsmv.gov/IDP.htm

Florida strikes again

slummymummy

Brilliant stuff! I just told my dad to get one, now I will tell him not to worry... lol.

robin1234

Are those people in Florida stupid? isn't it normal to give legislation a quick check-over before introducing it and passing it into law.. you know, to make sure it makes sense etc.?

RICH

Maybe it was meant to be for international gun permits.

lansbury

This is on the F&CO web site. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-.../united-states

The State of Florida has suspended enforcement of a recently introduced driving law requiring non-resident drivers to be in possession of an International Driving Permit and a UK driving licence. Following the change, a valid UK driving licence, or licence issued by another foreign government or US State, is the only requirement for driving a car in Florida.