International license needed for Florida

[Rob MacLennan]

For those of you who are thinking of going to Florida, perhaps for Daytona, both CAA and local news outlets are saying that you'll need an international drivers license if you aren't from the US. Florida passed a new law that came into force on Jan. 1, 2013, stating exactly that. The original intent was to make sure that drivers had licenses with English text on them but that's not how the law was written so even English speaking Canadians, with a license in English, will essentially be driving without a valid license there until they clarify the law (expected some time in June).

An international license application can be found at your local CAA outlet and costs $25.00, plus you'll need a set of passport style pictures for use on the license.

 

[Macs]

/slow clap

Thanks for the heads up Rob

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Another example of "the law of unintended consequences." It's not likely to be an issue in major areas but if you're travelling off the beaten path, in 'squeal like a pig boy!' territory, it could get messy when Sheriff Roscoe P. Coletrane figures he can make an extra buck.

 

[El Cockblock]

Yeah... because our English is so much different than theirs.

Stupid.

http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/idp.html

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Yeah... because our English is so much different than theirs.

Stupid.

http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/idp.html

Regardless of how it ultimately goes, I'm sure that there will be more than a few Quebecois, who are living down south, who will be rethinking their support of the French only law in Quebec.

 

[daisoman]

I rented a car in Miami with my Ontario license with no problems. This was on jan 19 2013.

 

[infernobuster]

What a joke. Such a cash grab.

The Canadian gov't should do the same for all Americans entering Canada, but sadly it would kill off our tourism dollars.

 

[ZX600]

For those of you who are thinking of going to Florida, perhaps for Daytona, both CAA and local news outlets are saying that you'll need an international drivers license if you aren't from the US. Florida passed a new law that came into force on Jan. 1, 2013, stating exactly that. The original intent was to make sure that drivers had licenses with English text on them but that's not how the law was written so even English speaking Canadians, with a license in English, will essentially be driving without a valid license there until they clarify the law (expected some time in June).

An international license application can be found at your local CAA outlet and costs $25.00, plus you'll need a set of passport style pictures for use on the license.

I got the email at work this morning and thought it was a spam email, wishful thinking I guess

 

[RockerGuy]

What a joke. Such a cash grab.

The Canadian gov't should do the same for all Americans entering Canada, but sadly it would kill off our tourism dollars.

Thats why Canadians should boycott that state. What a buncha baloney.

Sent from my tablet using my paws

 

[Rob MacLennan]

I rented a car in Miami with my Ontario license with no problems. This was on jan 19 2013.

I've heard the same. Seems that the Government of Florida didn't do a very good job of advertising this little gem, and rental car companies had no idea. As I mentioned previously it also isn't likely to be much of an issue in the major population centres.

 

[DownUnder]

Thats why Canadians should boycott that state. What a buncha baloney.

Sent from my tablet using my paws

Mind you, if your in Canada for more then 6 consecutive weeks you have to ditch your home countrys license and get a Canadian one, which is much more of a pain in the *** then getting a $25 piece of paper from CAA. Every country has retarded laws that make no sense.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Florida State Police are deferring enforcement of this law, until things get straightened out.

 

[Jayv]

Umm it's like $25.

If you have enough money to be partying, vacationing and driving around in a rented car it's not really a big deal.

Has this site gone RFD all of a sudden?

 

[Jampy00]

Umm it's like $25.

If you have enough money to be partying, vacationing and driving around in a rented car it's not really a big deal.

Has this site gone RFD all of a sudden?

I don't think the issue is the cost, it's the lack of planning and lack of information by government that get's people upset. What the heck is RFD ?

 

[nfq]

I don't think the issue is the cost, it's the lack of planning and lack of information by government that get's people upset. What the heck is RFD ?

Red Flag Deals.

Initially a 'deal' website, turned slowly into a 'how much cheaper can we go until we get stuff for free' website.

 

[Brian P]

680 News is saying that there was an emergency meeting of the silly servants in Florida late this morning, and they have agreed to revoke or re-word the law in question, and it isn't going to be enforced in the meantime.

 

[RockerGuy]

Mind you, if your in Canada for more then 6 consecutive weeks you have to ditch your home countrys license and get a Canadian one, which is much more of a pain in the *** then getting a $25 piece of paper from CAA. Every country has retarded laws that make no sense.

I know that feeling. I've been driving in another Commonwealth Nation before I came here. I had to do it all over. I wasn't too mad, after all we drive on a different side of the road. But Florida, not so much.

If you have an American License, u just swap it (I think).

I don't think the issue is the cost, it's the lack of planning and lack of information by government that get's people upset. What the heck is RFD ?

Normally when I'm going on vacation, its already stressful as it is. The packing, planning, flight, etc. Do u really think I want to drive around doing other things?

 

[Rob MacLennan]

680 News is saying that there was an emergency meeting of the silly servants in Florida late this morning, and they have agreed to revoke or re-word the law in question, and it isn't going to be enforced in the meantime.

Correction: The Florida Department of Public Safety (State Police) won't be enforcing it. That doesn't preclude some backwater Sheriff enforcing it and, as some people have voiced as a concern, it creates a loophole for insurance companies to refuse to pay out (no 'valid license' = no coverage).

As it will likely be months before this is ultimately put right, I'd still go the route of getting the International Permit.

 

[Jayv]

Edit Rob posted the same thing.

 

[AMAZIN-]

link on that 680 news update?