International Driving Permit not required for holders of English driving licenses

[Gerry Reed]

We got ours today and the post office said that we did need it for Florida now ! We are going to Oz in the autumn and need it for that so one less thing to do then !

Sue

[GrahamC]

You would like to think that as Florida is so dependant on tourists, the law makers would actually think through what they are doing, but it does not appear so.

[bargainqueen]

We thought the same but maybe this has come about because of the amount of visitors the state has.

Have the Insurance companies asked for more checks to be made to ensure that all visitors are legally entitled to drive a car in US, or was it the FHP.

We thought it strange that the car hire companies were unaware of this new requirement.

[seanchai]

On Thursday we went into the post office and asked for two IDP forms for florida .....we were told by the main post office manager that there are no forms for IDP for America....They had just received a note from the bosses that no forms should be given out for IDP for America as they were not required . The post office manager added that if we really wanted an international driving permit then we should ask the RAC or AA for one, as most people already do for countries where they require international driving permits .

[Gerry Reed]

They are not specific to the country you are going to. We need them for Oz later in the year, so just got them early so that we also have them for Florida in a couple of weeks time.

Sue

[thornton]

They are not specific to the country you are going to. We need them for Oz later in the year, so just got them early so that we also have them for Florida in a couple of weeks time.

Sue

As far as I understand they are only valid for three months so you will need new ones for Oz.

[steph_goodrum]

As far as I understand they are only valid for three months so you will need new ones for Oz.

Thye are valid for a year but you can post date them to start up to 3 months later than when you apply. So for example if you apply now you can ask for start date up to 1st July and they will be valid till July 2014.

[Lyn]

I thought that the need for these had been revoked.

[msmiff]

The need for an IDP has been "suspended" NOT revoked & is currently Florida law........
Although the local Sheriffs are unlikely to ask for one, in the case of an accident, the insurance company could well argue that any out-of-state driver without one is not legally licenced to drive & could thus refuse cover !!!!
It's a very grey area &, until the IDP requirement is revoked & signed into law by the Governer (which is very likely to happen...) legally, an IDP is required for a "foreigner" to drive in Florida.

[steph_goodrum]

It's going through process at the moment and should be signed off shortly. As it stands it is still law (it hasnt been suspended) but the enforcement agencies have said they will not enforce if you do not have one, as said though as it is still current law, the insurance company could say you were driving illegally if you couldnt produce one if asked. Technically though the hire car company would aslo be at fault for not checking you have the correct licence to drive in the US as well.