International Driving Permit

[steph_goodrum]

322.04(c)(1)Persons exempt from obtaining driver license-

(c) A nonresident who is at least 16 years of age operating a motor vehicle of the type for which a Class E driver license is required in this state if the nonresident has in his or her immediate possession:

(2) An International Driving Permit issued in his or her name in his or her country of residence and a valid license issued in that country.

Taking this to the letter, as I understand it, this is the Florida Drivers license as it only seems to apply ,therefore the Non-resident is anyone who doesn't live in Florida. So what about out of State drivers, do they also have to get an IDP despite driving in their own Country It doesn't say "non US resident"

I do know now that it also exempts anyone with a US license issued by another state having seen the exemptions properly.

[Laurel Oak]

Unless anything changes on this I'm afraid I shall err on the cautious side and get an IDP for both myself and my wife and advise any guests staying in my house to obtain one for themselves.

Another thing to make a trip to Florida a bit more complicated than it need be. Why can't things be simple and clear

[another]

This was just brought to my attention by some guests going to our villa next month. I have since emailed our next guests going this week. Better to be safe!

[syrup]

I found this on another website.

This is the reply I have received from the Florida department of Highways Safety and Motor Vehicles in reply to my email to them.

Response
Dear Mr. Xxxxxxx
Thank you for your recent inquiry.
As of January 1, 2013, all foreign vistors to Florida must have an International Driving Permit issued from their Country.
We hope this information will assist you.
02/12/13
For future references your customer number is xxxxx
If you need additional assistance, please email us from http://www.flhsmv.gov/html/contact2.html
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

[roger]

The daft thing is that even the car rental companies were not aware of this. As Steph says, the logical place to enforce this is at the point where customers collect the car and show their licenses. I spoke to Alamo yesterday and they expect to come back to me today with an answer. I'm pretty sure this is going to apply to all International drivers of rental cars from now. The hope is that some common sense will be applied in the short term by police that pull over drivers without an IDP, based on the policy being so new and lack of publicity.

[nordictat2]

I just read another forum that a person had called Alamo about their booking for next week and they told them that they would have been turned away if they didn't have the permit so it's best that everyone going to Florida best get one!
I just can't believe how poor this has been advertised. This should of went out in a Newsletter by the car hire companies...they should of been notified of this last year so people traveling in 2013 etc were aware. Tsk tsk.

[lorveney]

The daft thing is that even the car rental companies were not aware of this. As Steph says, the logical place to enforce this is at the point where customers collect the car and show their licenses. I spoke to Alamo yesterday and they expect to come back to me today with an answer. I'm pretty sure this is going to apply to all International drivers of rental cars from now. The hope is that some common sense will be applied in the short term by police that pull over drivers without an IDP, based on the policy being so new and lack of publicity.

Hi Roger,

Have you heard from Alamo yet? We are flying out to Orlando on the 27th February and have two cars booked with them.

[florida4sun]

I am sure Roger is onto this but getting everything 100% takes time. In the mean time for £5.50 its worth popping to the post office and getting an int permit to be on the safe side http://www.postoffice.co.uk/internat...driving-permit .

Hi Roger,

Have you heard from Alamo yet? We are flying out to Orlando on the 27th February and have two cars booked with them.

[Katys Grandad]

I am sure Roger is onto this but getting everything 100% takes time. In the mean time for £5.50 its worth popping to the post office and getting an int permit to be on the safe side http://www.postoffice.co.uk/internat...driving-permit .

Interestingly, even the information on that link doesn't yet reflect this change and classes the need for an IDP in the US as 'recommended'.

It is probably best to apply just in case but it's a bit of a pain having to renew every 12 months for a document that does no more than confirm you hold a driving licence in your home country.

[bargainqueen]

OMG we're flying out to Orlando on Friday and have just read this thread. My niece is going to be co-driver but I don't know if she'll be able to get to a post office as she works.

I thought I'd got every thing sorted, nightmare or what. Need a reply from Alamo pronto!!!!