Canadian need international driving permit in Florida

[hikergirl 277]

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/02/14/canadians-need-international-driving-permit-in-florida

Canadians technically now need an international driving permit to get behind the wheel in Florida.

Legislators in the Sunshine State passed a law that requires non-U.S. motorists to have an international permit in addition to their regular driver's licence as of Jan. 1, said Ian Jack, spokesman for the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).

But lawmakers there said they are scrambling to modify the rules to allow drivers with English-language licences to operate a vehicle in the state without the permit. Unfortunately that will likely take until the summer to close the loophole, as the next legislative session isn't until March. So, until then, the permit will technically, by law, be required for the many Canadian spring breakers and snowbirds who head south over the winter months.

"At CAA, we're reluctantly recommending to be better safe than sorry," Jack said.

Florida officials said police won't be actively enforcing the law for Canadian-licenced motorists, but the decision will be at the discretion of officers and the courts.

More in the article linked above.

[hikergirl 277]

Oops, noticed the spelling error in the headline after I published the topic

[bsd058 296]

Ya I just saw this elsewhere. It's so stupid. But you gotta do what you gotta do. CAA/AAA is trying to get Florida at least make an exception for English speaking countries like Canada, Australia, the UK, etc., since the only purpose of the permit is to translate the overseas driving permit into English. It's not like they will make any money off of this legislation.

Edited February 14, 2013 by bsd058

[Flames9_RN 358]

Not so quick: http://o.canada.com/2013/02/14/canadians-not-expected-to-spend-25-on-international-driving-permit-despite-new-florida-rules/

[hikergirl 277]

I was thinking of getting one anyways. I always go for caution…

I don’t want anything jeopardizing my future in the US.

[hikergirl 277]

Okay, another news source makes it perfectly clear that it’s not at all necessary: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2013/02/15/20582221.html

One less thing to concern myself about

[bsd058 296]

http://www.ilstv.com/florida-wont-enforce-law-requiring-canadians-to-have-international-drivers-licenses/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyNewsletter

And another one.