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Thread: International Driving Permit not required for holders of English driving licenses

  1. #1
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    International Driving Permit not required for holders of English driving licenses

    THIS LAW HAS NOW BEEN CHANGED AND AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT IS NOT REQUIRED IF YOUR LICENSE IS IN ENGLISH


    A new law has just been announced in Florida requiring all International drivers to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) with them at all times. You need to carry this along with your regular driving license. Until now, only non-English language license holders had to obtain an IDP, but this now applies to ALL non US license holders.

    All drivers must carry an IDP. These can easily be obtained from your local post office (for UK customers) or from your licensing authority for other nationalities. The local post office issues the IDP on the spot, by filling in a form. To check which UK post offices issue IDPs you can use the link below

    http://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder

    The car rental companies are allowing customers to collect their car without an IDP if arriving within the next 1-2 weeks. This new regulation is not a rental car supplier requirement, but a legal requirement, so we strongly urge you to obtain an IDP even if travelling within 1-2 weeks.
    Last edited by caroline; 03-04-2013 at 13:50.


  2. #2
    Florida Chatterbox maisie's Avatar
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    Roger
    We are in Florida at the moment been here a while ,we did not get a DLP as it was not needed at the time, we are picking up a car from you but not until 27th feb ,will we still be able to get the car, (we also have a US drivers licence) but generally use or uk licence when getting a car from you
    Maisie



  3. #3
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    I've just had an e-mail alert about this as well.

    I actually don't even have a photo driving licence, still have an old fashioned one that is dropping to bits as i begrudge paying to get a photo one if it isn't compulsorary.

    http://www.ttgdigital.com/news/flori...686698.article


  4. #4
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    The old style paper driving license is fine provided you also have a photo ID with you (e.g. Passport).


  5. #5
    Florida Chatterbox maisie's Avatar
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    Roger
    sorry to ask again but are we ok when we go to collect the car on the 27th feb with not having a Dlp my husband is a bit worried that as we are picking it up in Florida there might be a problem or the fact we have a florida licence as well as uk ones that will do
    Maisie



  6. #6
    Gold 5 Star Member SDJ's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by maisie View Post
    Roger
    sorry to ask again but are we ok when we go to collect the car on the 27th feb with not having a Dlp my husband is a bit worried that as we are picking it up in Florida there might be a problem or the fact we have a florida licence as well as uk ones that will do

    Maisie, why would you have a problem. Just give them your US Licence.


  7. #7
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    Statement from DHSMV on International Driving Permits

    During the 2012 legislative session, the Florida Legislature amended section 322.04, Florida Statutes, to require visitors from outside the United States to have an International Driving Permit in order to drive lawfully in Florida. This change took effect Jan. 1, 2013.
    It has come to the Department’s attention that this requirement may violate the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949), an international treaty to which the United States is a signatory. Treaties to which the United States is a party preempt state laws in conflict with them.
    Therefore, the Florida Highway Patrol will defer enforcement of violations of the amended statutory section until a final determination of the alignment of the amendment with the treaty can be made. Non-resident visitors to Florida who wish to drive while here will be required to have in their immediate possession a valid driver license issued in his or her name from another state or territory of the U.S. or from their country of residence. However, the FHP will not take enforcement action based solely on the lack of an International Driving Permit.

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


  8. #8
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    Roger, I have heard this has been put on hold. See below:-

    Update from Florida's DHSMV posted online 14/02/13:

    During the 2012 legislative session, the Florida Legislature amended section 322.04, Florida Statutes, to require visitors from outside the United States to have an International Driving Permit in order to drive lawfully in Florida. This change took effect Jan. 1, 2013.

    It has come to the Department's attention that this requirement may violate the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949), an international treaty to which the United States is a signatory. Treaties to which the United States is a party preempt state laws in conflict with them.

    Therefore, the Florida Highway Patrol will defer enforcement of violations of the amended statutory section until a final determination of the alignment of the amendment with the treaty can be made. Non-resident visitors to Florida who wish to drive while here will be required to have in their immediate possession a valid driver license issued in his or her name from another state or territory of the U.S. or from their country of residence. However, the FHP will not take enforcement action based solely on the lack of an International Driving Permit.


  9. #9
    Site Owner and Admin floridadreamvilla.co.uk's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone. We've updated the page on our website with the new news and will continue to post news as we hear it there: http://www.uscarhire.com/internation...t-florida.aspx


  10. #10
    Site Owner and Admin floridadreamvilla.co.uk's Avatar
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    I've just posted this to our website:

    15 February 2013: Further update: It's confirmed an IDP is NOT required for car rentals in Florida

    As per the news and advise from both the FCO and ABTA, the new law introduced in Florida has now been deferred, and customers no longer need to purchase an international drivers permit in order to drive a car in Florida. Please see below information as per the FCO website today.

    "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."

    We will continue to closely monitor the situation, and in the event that this law is re-introduced at a further date, will again advise accordingly with as much notice as possible.


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