The Florida Highway Patrol will not enforce a state law that required Canadian and non-U.S. resident drivers to carry an international driver’s permit.
Officials in the Sunshine State said the law requires further review because it may violate an international treaty and enforcement was being deferred.
According to the rules introduced quietly Jan. 1, all visitors with foreign licences must have an international permit issued by their country of residence as well as a valid licence from home.
Many Canadians were caught off guard by the regulations, which also apply to any vehicle, including rentals.
Pete Karageorgos of the Insurance Bureau of Canada told 680News that Canadians should expect to be covered by insurance as usual.
“We’ve asked insurance companies to operate on the status quo that if you do have a client in the United States or in Florida specifically that your insurer does in fact cover your claim.”
However, he advises that to err on the side of caution to obtain the permit until the law is clarified.
“To be on the safe side, get the International Driving Permit,” he said.
“They’re not that difficult to get. Although I understand that there is a great deal of interest and large line-ups to get them.”
“They’re fairly inexpensive, fairly easy to get, it’s good to have.”
Officials said the law was passed so police officers do not encounter foreign licence documents in languages they cannot read.
The IDP translates existing driver licence information in 10 languages, is valid for one year and accompanies a valid driver’s licence.
In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, however, the department said it learned its new requirement might violate the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, an international treaty to which the U.S. is a signatory.
“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,” the department said.
“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.”
The Canadian Automobile Association — which issues international driving permits — called on Florida to amend the law to exempt Canadians.
“No North American jurisdiction has ever asked for an IDP before from another North American jurisdiction. This is a first,” CAA spokesman Ian Jack told The Canadian Press.
“They’ve subsequently told us that they’ve recognized that it was a mistake to include Canada and that they will be moving to exempt Canada, but on the other hand, because it’s legislation and their legislature doesn’t sit till mid-March, it’s going to take some time for that to happen.”
How to obtain a permit
- The permits can be obtained through CAA offices
- Canadians currently in Florida can apply for one through via mail
- The IDP costs $25
- Applicants must be 18 years of age and have a valid Canadian driver’s licence
- Applicants need two passport-sized photographs
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Article 46, section 3 of the convention reads; 3. Domestic legislation may limit the period of validity of a domestic driving permit. The period of validity of an international permit shall be either no more than three years after the date of issue or until the date of expiry of the domestic driving permit, whichever is earlier.
So , why is the CAA limiting the validity to one year. Seems they are part of the cash grab?
The International Driving Permit (IDP) is a matter of international treaty and therefore falls under the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada. CAA merely sells the IDP to the public and is not responsible for the rules that surround its issue. In other words the Feds create the rules and the CAA is merely the vendor.
Not sure where your cash grab comes in. Florida makes the law (which no one in Canada has any control of), but all the money collected for the IDPs stays in Canada. Some of that money is paid to CAA on a commission basis and the rest to whatever government agency looks after the whole thing to cover their administration costs. I would highly doubt anyone makes any money on the things, as issuing is a fairly lengthy process for the amount collected. To compare, a BC Driver’s licence costs $75 and typically takes under 5 minutes to renew, where an IDP cost $25 and typically takes 10-15 minutes to issue – they’re still handwritten.
does anyone realize how this law came about. it was because the florida state police that can”t read some drivers licence. this is where all this c**p started. im getting ready to go to florida for a month and i dont see all the hype about this law. the state of florida highway traffic has already announced a standdown per say on this idiotic law. so i will continue to get ready to go to florida for the month and all you snowbirds who are ready to go should do the same without a worry,
Be VERY careful. My parents are down there right now and in their local paper it said that although the State Police will not enfore it, the Local Police MIGHT, and COULD.
And if the cite you for not having a “Valid” licence your insurance might try to say you are no longer covered.
rented form alamo mid january , they never asked for it !
Does this law applies to brazilian drivers? What do I have to do?
The cops in Florida can read? ………wow!
Memo to Gov. Rick Scott
You created lineups at the polling stations during the last Presidential election, with a dumb law,..now you’re creating lineups in Canada at the CAA offices, as a result of a totally asinine , and illigal piece of legislation. I’m taking my tourist dollars elsewhere,..someplace where sanity resides.
You are missing the point, no enforcement of new law, wonderful, but called my insurance company today, they will not confirm or deny that my insurance will be valid if I have accident, can’t decide, because technically law is on the books and you are violating it without the added permit. We leave for Florida tomorrow, all CAA store out of permits. Might reroute to South Carolina,
Heard the news from a colleague that knew I was hitting to Florida next week. Saw it on the news so went to closest CAA to obtain an international license. 2 hour wait with folks standing in the snow outside. A lot of frustrated folks young and old. After I got home turned on the news and they said it wasn’t needed. Geeze. Even Rental Companies in Florida wasn’t aware of this new rule. Before causing a frenzy somebody should of said hold on were confirming with Florida Authorities. Every CAA was jammed with folks. Government (on both sides) should re-imburse folks for this mess up. Money grab for sure. I lost 2 hours of work and $25 for the piece of paper and $10 for the pictures.
Who do you think is grabbing this money? It’s a Florida law that does not benefit Florida financially in any way. The CAA and Canadian government, who collect this money, do not remit any of it to Florida. If anything, they lose money on each transaction – see my explanation above, under the first comment.
If the state of Florida is really concerned about “reading” and “interpreting” even English Language drivers license such as most of the provinces of Canada, then, fine. To avoid any re-consideration of this law, we should be pro-active. WHATEVER CODE there is in the International Drivers License (IDL), and not in the regular drivers license, let the Ontario Government legislate THAT special CODE to be on the Ontario Drivers License AS WELL, so these “FLORIDIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT” will have no “problem” reading our already ENGLISH drivers license. It should also make IDL in Canada obsolete if all our license has this special CODE. Simple. One license that has all the information these AMERICANS need.
There’s no special code on the IDP – it’s just a translation of pertinent information in multiple languages to assist authorities who don’t read the language of the main (Ontario) license. It was an oversight on Florida’s part that they didn’t exempt licenses that are already in English.
Got here six weeks ago, just found out about this today. Returning April 10, so really don’t have time to order by mail. I figured that I would get a Florida drivers license. Well, easier said than done. Before 2010, if you had a valid Canadian driver’s license and owned property in Florida, you could automatically get a Florida license. Now, you can still have one BUT you must take the written exam as well as the driving exam. Don’t feel like “hitting the books”, but might reconsider at a later date. While I was at the drivers license bureau, I talked to a state trooper who assured me that this law did not exist…..go figure! How can I be breaking a law that state troopers never heard of?! Even the AAA representative (US equivalent of CAA) was adamant that the law did not exist! So, for now, I will wait and see until further clarifications. I will, however, double chech with my car insurance company to make sure that I am covered in the event of an accident. After all, I pay extra for coverage while vacationing in Florida, so, if such a law was in force, they would know…..right?
Do your research BEFORE you switch your licence over to FL. You may have to do those same tests all over again (or others) if you decided to switch back to a Canadian licence when you get home. Check with your local licencing office (Canadian) to confirm what the requirements are for getting that province’s licence when licenced in another Canada/US jurisdiction. Requirements vary from province to province.
Verbatim direct from the Florida Official Website ( http://flhsmv.gov/IDP.htm ) :
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.
In other words…. They realized just how dumb and poorly written this law really is and the millions in tourist dollars they are about to lose in the backlash.
What happens if you are in an accident in a rental car. Do you have coverage because you technically do not have a valid dirver license?
Everybody is forgetting the Commercial Drivers. Now Canadian Drivers moving freight in and out of Florida are in violation and will require an IDL.
Looks like Florida is not enforcing the law:
http://www.flhsmv.gov/IDP.htm
We were stopped by highway patrol yesterday for a routine check, in Orlando. We showed him the Canadian driver’s license and he let us go, no mention of requiring an IDP.
I have booked a rental car in Florida and the rental company told me I won’t be able to pick the car up without my IDL. I don’t have time to go to CAA before I fly. Any suggestion?
Yup — find another rental company. I’m in Florida now, and when I heard the story via internet on 680 I called a few rental companies just out of curiosity. Not one of them had heard about this and not one of them requires anything more than an Ontario license.
The law has been repealed – it won’t be enforced. It’ll be repealed formally in the spring.
I just phone the rental company again, and they insist that I needed an IDL if I want to pick up the car. I am going to try to leave work early to get my IDL. I really don’t need this kind of stress. Thanks, Florida!
@Jenn — rent from a different company. I read that only one rental car agency is taking this IDL seriously. Plus, I’m sure that when they start to lose business they will change their tune.
Already on the road.We will have to pay the fine???c
The law has been repealed – it won’t be enforced. It’ll be repealed formally in the spring.
Big deal,no time left to get one,on the road again
Hey Heads Up,
CAA is not a ‘rinky dink’ company. I am in IT and looked into this. They are a PCI compliant organization which means that your data on their system is as secure as it gets. Look it up.
We Brits will be hit by this too. I have driven all over the world without a problem, so why is Florida being so daft in making criminals of people bringing money into the state. In the Uk the cost is only £5.50. So what is the point!
And just try to get into a CAA office today. They were lined up out the door at the office on Lawrence at Don Mills. We were planning to leave for Florida tomorrow. Now what????
It’s expected the law will be formally repealed by the spring. In the interim, the law will not be enforced.
This is posted on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Site:
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.
I am suggest that Canadians don’t bother visiting Florida anymore, because this is just a money-grab excuse.
The law is being repealed now, Luis. In the interim, the law will not be enforced.
in my opinion people from florida should be treated the same they must have idp when in canada very simple
dead right! Floridians should have to have Canadian IDP if they come here. IF, the problem still exists
Canadians driver’s licenses should be exempt (unless they are not in English – i.e. Quebec).
We have just been told at CAA that they only had 65 IDL left and don’t know when or if they will be getting any more. We leave in a few days but many there were leaving tonight. If we weren’t already booked and paid we would boycott Florida. As it is we will not be buying anything but the basics and no more. I would recommend that you email or call the Governor of Florida, the US Embassy, your MP and make our anger known.
Go to FLHSMV.GOV After just talking with the Governors office we were told they will NOT ticket anyone with English licenses who were unable to get a card! I personally have a hard time believing them when Florida needs money.
I am Canadian and the $25 does not bother me in the least. What does concern me is the logic of the legislators that passed the law and then made it retroactive to January 1, 2013. Surely they must have realized that there are probably 200,000 Canadian drivers and how may foreign nationals that are now entrapped and in breach of the law. Anyone with a rental car was unknowingly rented that car by an agency that had no idea this was coming. How difficult would it have been to pass this law, dumb as it is, and make it effective, say March 1, 2013 so that there was some warning.
It would be interesting to hear the reason for it in the first place. Probably the police had problems with licenses from some countries such as Albania or Croatia (just examples) where they could not recognize them as authentic. All developed countries have standardized drivers licenses where the information is obvious regardless of the language. This legal process does not meet the standard of even developing countries and you really must question the capacity of Florida’s legislators to craft and pass laws. The “stand your ground law” is another example of badly written law that is very difficult to administer.
There will no doubt now be a knee jerk reaction to patch the dumbness of this legislation. In the meantime thousands are in limbo and in contravention of the law. It seems by the wording in this piece that any Florida non resident must have an International license, that would include other US states. Let the games begin.
Am I the only one who is extremely uncomfortable with the amount of personal info
which is required to be given to some ‘rinky dink’ CAA office in exchange for this
international permit ???
you suggest that if we rent property in Florida we do not pay taxes in that state. I contend that the rental of the property assists the supposedly Florida resident owner to pay the taxes. Therefore the renter is paying taxes. I think this law is ridiculous for English speaking non-residence, that is those that hold a licence in English. The law is supposedly put in place to make it possible for police to read it. \Hopefully they can read English.
They could not appear to discriminate against Quebec drivers who have DLs in French, so they require all Canadians to have an IDL. Yes, CAA charges $10 more. Maybe their expenses are spread out over a smaller client base (10 provinces & 2 territories) which may require higher fees & premiums than AAA (50 states). Meanwhile, Florida may end up making a lot of money in fines or let them off with warnings. IDLs can be obtained online with CAA (filling out a form, mailing it along with 2 passport-sized photos).
All Canadians should contact their own insurance company. Mine just had the notification this a.m. my agent assured me that my insurance is valid and only if stopped by a police officer could I get a ticket for this infraction ( and that any reasonable intelligent Police Officer would not issue a ticket for this offense unless the license was not in English and/or the person with the infraction was belligerent or rude) CAA does issue these credentials but, by mail it takes 3 weeks to get them back at an extra charge for international Registered mail. That does not include the time to get 2 passport photos fill in the application and mail it. By that time most of us Canadian’s will be back home in more suitable weather. And I might add spending money in Canada to support are own economy. I have also been informed that this law may be rewritten so that all persons with non-English licenses will require additional documentation to validate licenses not in English. Any more info on this would be appreciated.
Legislators are reportedly working on revising the law to exempt people with English-language licences; but proposed changes wouldn’t come into effect until the summer.
CAA is getting bombarded today. All the phone lines are busy, and every location has a line up 40+ deep!
If you are going away in March, wait a week or so before getting the permit.
Maybe Canadians should offer our comments directly to Florida’s Travel and Tourism, let them know how we feel.
While this may not stop people going to Florida, it will certainly reduce the # of trips. Be interesting to see how the other southern states across the US do tourist wise in the coming years. If they do not implement similar legislation, they will likely benefit as people divert to other states. Was planning on a trip next fall, but now Vegas is looking much better! Wonder if some of the cruise lines will move their departure ports if they see #’s dropping off.
Americans can purchase the IDP at AAA for $15 while Canadians pay $25 at CAA ……CAA really …..so $ 15 vs $ 25 …Perhaps CAA can explain the difference win price ……..
The term “resident” in this article refers to US resident. HInt: “International license”. Florida must honour the other states’ licences or they would be in violation of the US Constutution “Interstate Commerce Clause”, which prevents the states from hindering interstate travel or business.
I suspect this is an effort to prevent some horrendous accidents caused by unskilled Mexican and other third world drivers. (Something we have experience with here in the GTA) My prediction is that Canada will be exempt soon, unless the Florida government is afraid of insulting Mexico. Which is possible I guess.
Well if you can afford a vacation then you can afford the little extra $ for this license. Stop whining or help build our own economy and travel within Canada. Buy a really warm parka & arctic boots and enjoy Canadian winters !!!
How much did the CAA pay Florida to get this passed?????
CAA doesn’t even make any money on the IDPs. The money all goes to the governments.
Good question. This is a hoax according to the Sarasota Tax Collectors office which administers drivers licences for the state. They have been getting calls about it but advise they have no such law. Bad journalism here.
According to CAA and Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, International Driver’s Permits are now required for Canadians driving in Florida.
CAA: http://www.caa.ca/travel-documents/idp/
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/idp.html
Do any of you realize just how much Canadian’s and other visitors to your State spend. All we really are using is your sunshine and warm weather. If there were a mass exodus from Florida this State would go broke. If we started selling the real estate your house market would be gutted again. This is seriously a money grab. This law will invalidate our car insurance. Why is this law just now being advertised? As for paying taxes, most of us who own property DO pay taxes and I might add a LOT more than American’s. and I don’t have a problem with that, But really $25.00 is a drop in the bucket. It is the principle of the thing and one thing Canadians do have is principle. We also know how to drive. Florida needs to start checking Floridian’s who turn left without looking. Believe me Texas is just as warm and it is a viable alternative. Disney will feel the pinch, and so will all Floridians.
Are Florida police proud that they are being labelled as stupider than any other police force? They are the only ones that have trouble with our license. They should be refusing to give tickets since this reflects so badly on how the State of Florida regards their basic reading skills.
The “International Driver’s license” is not really a license per say. It is a document from a registered authority with your picture that makes a statment in multiple languages the the bearer has a valid valid driving license.
This is meant for travel to countries where people can’t read the English on your license. Unfortunately Florida only understands American, and even the International license does not have an “American” translation, so they might have trouble with that too.
Having just returned to Canada after living overseas for a number of years I understand the use and need of IDL. The thing I find funny here is the police in Florida need it to understand driver’s licenses that aren’t in English, at least according to the article above. As 9 of the 10 provinces the DL are in English, does this mean they don’t understand (Canadian) English? I’m sure that’s not the case and that the legislation has been written forgetting that Canada is mostly English, however, even after coming to Florida for over 20 years it still amazes me when I meet someone who will still ask – where’s Canada again (not a joke)? People we met in Russia, Africa, Europe, Middle East…knew all kinds of things about Canada. Even though half of our family is Americans, they will say things such as – do we need different money for Canada? I think this also is what is included with people’s frustration with this new requirement. I like Florida and will continue to travel there – yes for the weather – it is not the cost of the IDL that annoys me, it is the fact that it appears they haven’t thought this out completely – if the goal is to have a license in English (Texas, or California don’t require IDLs for Canadians). However we have to remember this is a state that has not been able to organize and simplify their voting procedures for their own past two Presidential elections. I don’t believe the IDL requirement was done to insult Canadians, it was done simply out of forgetting we are their English speaking neighbours to the north.
Might I suggest that turnabout is fair play? & we in Billions of debt do this to our Southern friends..especially the ones that think the 407 is free.
Funny, so what does the State of Florida consider drivers from other US states? Residents of Florida. I don’t think so… Based on this news bulletin – then other US drivers should also have to get an IDL id.
I Just found out today. I guess my Canadian in English with picture bar coded Ontario Driver’s License is not readable by the English speaking Florida Police or do I need it to accommodate Spanish speaking only Florida police officers? I have had Two International driver’s licenses. All you do is fill out a few spaces an pay your money. And that qualifies you to drive in Australia-Ya-
Right or is it Left??
Your International Driver’s Permit does not qualify you to drive in Australia. Your regular driver’s licence does that. The IDP allows an Aussie cop to understand what an Ontario class G or BC Class 5 licence actually allows you to drive. It also assures the Aussie cop to confirm the licence’s validity. And if you were in a non-English speaking country, it translates the licence.
You know you might want to consider the source of this information. The media is quick to jump on things without verification. Please check the florida state licencing webpage as i did as a canadian and there is nothing posted or in forms that state we canadians are required to do this.
Reading the various comments leads me to wonder if there are 20 different versions of the article being read. The law is aimed at non-residents of the United States. The legislature is currently trying to “rectify” their mistake by exempting non-residents with English-language DLs.
The state of FL is run by a collection of xenophobic and racist jerks. FL has an “English is the official language of the state” amendment to its constitution; it is not surprising that it has passed yet another law penalizing people who have a DL in French or German.
By comparison: “You may drive [in France] with a valid U.S. driver’s license. In addition to that, it is recommended (not required) to carry an International Driving Permit or attach a French translation to your US driver’s license. ” [French Embassy, Wash. DC] Of course, in EU countries, if you’re not multilingual, you’re dead.
Keep in mind that FL has one of the worst school systems in the United States. People who live there may not be dumbclucks, but they’re not particularly well educated. They can’t figure out that 13/12/12 is the same as 12/12/13.
You can obtain a FL state drivers license if you have a residence.
Sounds great but in Canada it is illegal to have more than 1 valid drivers Licence in your possession, but I’m not sure if that means just Canadian Licences. Something to look into maybe.
Inter-provincial/state treaties require any jurisdiction issuing a Driver’s Licence (DL) must collect the DL from the previous jurisdiction. This means you must give up your Canadian DL when you get a FL DL. And vice versa if you want to re-swap when you get home.
Local CAA just heard of it, and confirmed it is correct…. no joke.
How many of you go to CUBA?
Do you not have to pay $25 CUC just to leave the country in CASH at the airport?
How many times have you gone or plan to go?
Whats the difference??
It’s $25 lasts a whole year.
Is it dumb yes, can we afford to give more cash then we already do, no not really.
Do you love going to florida? I know I do.
this is a joke, like you rick my inlaws don’t own property, but a place that they own in a park down there and spend the winters there. ridiculious. the state just needs money.
Why is this a joke? More complaining over a trivial amount of money for people who are VACATIONING IN FLORIDA. THAT’S a joke!
These comments are funny because
1) Florida couldn’t care less about Canada, the state is broke and needs money from non-residents
2) They will selectively enforce it, so watch out if you have Cdn plates
3) The money goes to the state, CAA is just selling them
4) In the US, things like this are done at a state level, not a federal level. Even if it was, Canada is not on their radar.
If you really don’t like the law, don’t go there. There are many other, more interesting places to visit. Canadians are to quick to default to the US as their vacation destination.
Agreed. Canadians feel smug and privlideged, as if someone owes them something.
It’s their state, their law. If people are screwed up over $25, then go to Arizona, California or somewhere in the Caribbean.
You are not automatically entitled to break Florida’s laws. Just like Canucks always tell foreigners about Canada’s laws and how they have to follow them – well here’s the other side of that coin. Don’t preach unless you also want to be told what to do.
John McGrath,
Where can I verify being exempted by owning Florida property which is the case for me. As it turns out, we are leaving Friday to drive to Florida.
Suggestion
I know that Florida isn’t making any money off the issuance of a licence, but this is still a stupid idea. I suggest that everyone travelling to Florida look at a way to spend atleast $100 less than they would have otherwise as a form of protest. Florida wil feel the pinch.
Plenty of other places to go besides Florida… I’d say just don’t go at all and they will see tourist numbers are down, empty hotel rooms and no tourist money coming in… That would give them a bigger pinch.
Why wasn’t I informed when I went to my CAA office to get travel insurance for the winter? They were more than happy to give me the deluxe travel plan. Why not add the 25.00 bucks for the license. Sounds like a joke to me. I never even heard it on TV in the fall. Something this big would have gone global before the law went into effect. Driving now in Florida illegal.
I would suspect that they did not know about the law either. There are over 60 jurisdictions in Canada/USA. It’s a bit too much to ask CAA to keep track of them all on every action they make every day.
OK…. Crossing Florida off my vacation place list and I’ll be spending my money someplace else…. It will be Florida’s loss of tourist dollars that will increase their IQ and repeal the law.
It says non-resident, so what about the guys from New York , Verginia and anywhere else in the states ?? Do you think for a min that the good ol’ boys are gonna git one of these thing!! ?
I agree
This is probably just April fool’s early….
There are really stupid people making stupid laws such as this example…. Where do they put their head?
Did you read the article?? It says ‘all non-resident drivers in Florida’, it doesn’t say only Canadians need it. Absolutely nothing discriminatory about it. And I don’t know how much cash Florida will grab since we pay the CAA. I wouldn’t object to a similar law here. In fact, its a good idea and we SHOULD have it here. How can the police read your license if its in a different language. How can they tell if its even valid? Anything that helps the police do their job is a good thing. It all sounds reasonable and sensible to me.
The laws are the same here – usually referring to non-Canadian/USA licences. Anyone coming to Canada, wishing to drive here, must have a valid Driver’s Licence issued by a recognized authority. It must be accompanied by an IDP if they come from anywhere OTHER than the US or Canada. There used to be a multi-state/province treaty on such things. It may or may not still exist.
You really “trust” the police and think “we” should be trying to make their life easier? Remember…it’s Florida we’re talking about. They shoot first there and ask questions later. Must be an AAA scam. They probably get 50% of all monies collected for these “international permits”. Why not a different permit for every state? The notion is so ridiculous, even for Florida, doesn’t seem worth the conversation. I’m sure 95% of Florida police don’t even know this “law” exists, unless they want a reason to hassle you. Just nuts!
AAA gets nothing from IDPs sold in Canada. The money goes to the Federal Government to go against the cost of maintaining the program. CAA gets a commission per IDP sold to cover the time it takes their agents to issue them.
I already have a temporary FL. Drivers licence( $75.00 yr ) required by my Fl auto insurance co. Now I require an additional licence? Next we will all have to get a gun permit as well .When is Canada going to Stand Up????
If you have a FL licence you should not need an IDP. The IDP is not a licence, but a universal translation that can help police from other jurisdictions interpret each others licences. This way a cop in Singapore doesn’t have to know what any of the hundreds to thousands of other drivers licences in the world look like, how to read them, or how to tell if they’re valid. If you have a valid FL licence, I’m sure the FL authorities know how to read them. As for Canada standing up, what does Canada have to do with it? It’s not Canadian soil. You are subject to their laws in all ways and are also subject to the penalties if you break them. Besides, why would the Canadian government want to make it easier for you to spend your money in Florida instead of in Canada?
If you want to come to the USA as a non resident you need to pay the fees. You drive our roads, you need to follow the laws we have. I would expect to do the same in your country if I were a non resident. In the winter most Canadian’s and foreigner’s in general stay here for 6 months. If you rent property you are not paying any taxes for the upkeep of our roads and the officers that patrol them. Do you feel it is fair to spend half your life here and not contribute and pay the taxes that I do. Even if you own property you still are not paying road taxes. What would it cost me to be in your country for 6 months a year as a vacationer? Hmmm, it should go both ways.
Geez Laura! You are about as bright as the bureaucrat that made up this dumb policy, You seem to forget the piles of cash Canadians spend in Florida each winter. Of course we pay no income taxes taxes but the owners of the condos we rent certainly do plus state sales taxes on other purchases add to the economic health of Florida. Any reduction in the number of Canadians coming to Florida will have a very detrimental effect on Florida. I guess you will have to pay more taxes to make up the difference!
I agree with abiding by the laws, even if they’re nonsensical, but your comment has no point.
You’re saying all tourists should pay taxes to use your infrastructure even when the entire purpose of visiting is to spend money? Wow. Wait for the day when us overtaxed “foreigners” forego Florida (or the USA altogether) for greener pastures, and your state/country is left to rot.
Also, regardless of how we foreigners choose to stay, even if we rent private property, tax IS paid by the property owner – so don’t say we’re not contributing.
I’ll be heading down this March to catch some spring ball, but the increasingly hostile (and downright ignorant) attitude I’ve experienced in Florida by people like you over the years has really made me think twice.
Pretty sure the amount of money that Canadians spend in Florida each year keeps up your standard of life. I’m not saying that $25 is unreasonable. Trust me, as a Canadian I am used to paying taxes, levees, fees.. etc. But please don’t come on here and start saying that we need to do our share to keep the roads paved??? Our family’s $1000/day Disney vacation that is coming up will more than do our share of keeping your infrastructure in place. I’m thinking most everyone you know know, if not yourself, works for the tourism industry or indirectly reaping the benefits of our travel dollars. Maybe that should be considered before you suggest we should do more for your economy.
Requiring an International Driving Permit for Canadian visitors to Florida is totally ridiculous!
The police will be stopping every car with a Canadian tag, and issueing a fine for driving without a license.
Who was the genius who came up with that idea?
The statute requiring an International drivers licence refers to non-residents. If you are a Canadian who owns residential property in Florida are you exempt?
so if you were to be pulled over, what do you show them if you are canadian but own property in florida. Can giving them your florida address suffice or do you have to show something with your name and florida address.
You guys are forgetting that Quebec is “technically” still a part of Canada. Their drivers licenses are in French only. If an officer in Florida stops someone with a Quebec drivers license, I don’t think it’s unreasonable that they should be able to read the information on it. It’s $25… not that big of a deal.
Then it should be up to Quebec to either put English on their drivers licenses (ain’t gonna happen) or pay the $25 for a separate paper with English on it. Why penalize us because of their laws? If I went to France I could see having French on my license, but in Florida as long as the license is in English a separate form should not be needed.
It’s really more than $25 since you would also have to take out an annual CAA membership if you don’t have one.
You do not need to be a CAA member to get an IDP.
Nice to know! Been here two months and never heard a word about it. I am a CAA member but had no notification from them via snail or e!
Is this also necessary for someone renting a vehicle in Florida just for a couple of week’s vacation?
It applies to all visitors Peggy. Non discriminatory.
I believe this to be a cash grab. However if Florida needs these funds and I know their economy is not good, I believe we can afford $25 dollars for this fee.
Everyone was up in arms when Canadians had to pay for luggage flying into the United States.
If this is the least we can do to assist Florida with a road tax then I think we can step up to the plate, do our duty and help pay for the road repairs that we drive on!
Come on people!
Not a cash grab by the Floridians. You need to get the international drivers permit BEFORE you show up. The CAA here would get that money for the administration but they’re fighting it so obviously not a cash grab for them either.
I don’t believe it was a tax grab on anyones part. It is just a piece of poorly thought out legislation. I don’t even have a problem with that. It is their country and they get to make the rules. The lack of notice is what I find unforgiveable. I book my flights, cruise, universal tickets, hotel and rental car over a period of months begin in September. None of the companies sent me notice of this as a travel advisory. I’m days away from leaving and the nearest CAA office is a 5 hour drive way.
Yes, I know they have now made a statement that this will not be enforced. That is fine from a ticketing and impoundment of vehicle point a view, but it does nothing to protect me from issues of insurance should I get in an accident. At this point I can only hope the CAA office can respond in time. If not I will have to cancel my rental car and take alternate transportation. Am I happy, no I not and I will be letting every business that takes my money know I’m not happy with the way this was implemented. I only hope is those business people let their state legislature know the potential impact this type of decision and the total lack of communication on this or any additional change they may make will have on the bottom line.
Once again it is their state, their rules and our chioce whether we come back or not.
” all non-resident drivers in Florida”? Which would mean that drivers from Georgia, Alabama, New Jersey, etc. require IDLs. Not gonna work in a state that runs on tourism. Disney, Miami, Orlando – doing without all those visitors? Don’t think so.
Jan 01 2013 and now we are in Feb. why we were not told this a year ago? It’s a money grab, shame on you Fla. shame, shame shame.
What about South Americans, Europeans, etc requiring International Drivers Licenses for driving in Florida?
This new law is discriminatory against Canadians and nothing more than a cash grab
Whichever politician conceived this law should be fired.
Why isn’t our government speaking up for us canadians. will they require an international drivers permit when they come here. Who is getting the revenue for this ? It seems like another money grab. It will not be long before you pay everytime you pass gas.
Can anyone answer the following questions…
As I am already in the US can I pick up the permit at a ‘driving licence office’?
Will car rental companies in Fl require the permit in order to rent a car?
What is the offense? (Driving without a valid licence?)
What is the punishment?
While the $25 seems small, you have to add another $15 for a personal picture, Every year. There is also an inconvenience factor to get that done.
I have made several of those International driving license before, they say nothing except that I am licensed to drive, but in different languages, If I have a driving license in English, I do not see why I need an English translations for my English language driving license to drive in Florida!
A) It is a different country / state, they can legislate what they wanted. B) It doesn’t sounds like a cash grab since you can get this through the CAA (CANADIAN Automobile Association) and C) I am guessing since they say it says this traslates the license into 10 different languages, it’s mainly for the french on the licenses or for Spanish speaking officers. It’s $@5 bucks, yes it’s stupid, but not the end of the world.
The United States IS a separate country but Florida itself IS NOT.
These type of things should be determined at a federal level.
CAA is the only place to get a IDL, that seems a little fishy to me.
What are the specifics to this law, Ontario requires foreign drivers to obtain one if they are here longer than 3 months, is something specific like this in the new Florida rules? Or is it anyone on any road at any time?
Renting a car or driving to Florida? The Sunshine State isn’t shining so brightly now that they require Canadians to have an International Driver’s Permit, which is valid for one year only (available from CAA for $25 + two passport photos, another $10 or so). We may complain that many with Ontario driver’s licences ‘can’t drive (well)’, which is true. How often do you see people in the passing lane, at or below the speed limit, blocking traffic or idiots who think the green light means hit the gas whether someone’s trying to complete a left turn or he can’t clear the crosswalk on the far side.
Whether car rental agencies will direct you to a local AAA office or a police officer will ticket you, is not yet known. Presumably, if you’re involved in an accident, this will make it worse as you might be deemed to be driving without valid credentials. Snowbirds, in particular, should contact their assemblymen (State elected officials). We should all write to newspapers like the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald, Palm Beach Post. Canadians account for a great percent of the tourists and our voices should be heard and opinions respected.
I guess this means less revenue for the FLorida Car Rental places…BTW an international driver license is simply a translation of a driver license….from Canadian English to USA English…
This is a joke, obviously. A little early for April Fools, but rather late for a “new” law to apply as of January 1, 2013. And this would apply to all “non-residents”? People in the other US states are non-residents of Florida. As stated, the IDL is a translation of your licence. Spanish is big in Florida, but pretty much all cops speak English.
Nice try.
uhhh the US is another country. just like having a passport or using different currency they dont have to accept our licence. we are fortunate that is only $25 and not requiring re-testing. all part of homeland security and a society of fear.
What happens to all of us truck drivers that are in Florida weekly?
If i were you, I’d get the permit now. It’s only $25 a year.
Lets have Ontario try this for all US drivers coming into the province and see how they feel….
Ontario could use the money too!
What money would Ontario get? Money spent on the Permits go to the issuing country.
i agree.
Shame this wasn’t big news before all the snowbirds left Canada for Florida…I guess that means e have all been driving here without a valid permit!!!!!
WOW How Crazy…. well I will redirect my travel plans and as a CAA Member I would hope they are our side CAA needs to speak up, this is not good. If they endorse the International Driving Permit it may very well affect their membership and I would be disappointed in their approval of such action.
Tell Us Who is to benefit here the … State of Florida / Ontario / CAA looks and smells like another rip off .. the working class people getting beat up again the corporates and governments smiling all the way to the bank … this will be a sad day for the Canadian Traveller heading to Flordia.
Stop whining, the US is a foreign country and it’s only 25 bucks for piece of mind. I’m assuming you consider out of country travel insurance a rip-off as well !!
It is about 25 bucks + $10 for cost of pictures. It is about time wasted to get the permit. All for no good reason. I am staring at my Ontario driving license – it is in English and I do not see what needs to be translated for an English speaking Florida officer. Perhaps they may be confused that 2015/12/17 is different from the American nomenclature of 12/17/15? or perhaps 175cm should be translated to 5’9″? This is sheer madness. BTW I am sure any charity will welcome the $35 if we can spare it.
I’m hoping that it was just an oversight by the law makers, and they realize their error and quickly change the law so that Canadians are exempt from it. If not, l think a lot of us will not be traveling their just to avoid the hassle of having to get an International drivers licence.
Perhaps if less Quebec drivers were in FL we wouldn’t have a hard time getting the legislation changed for Canadians
Excuse me I am from Québec….what gives you the right to say something like that…I am from Québec but I am first of all a Canadian..just like you my dear……and i have the right to go down to the sunshine state and buy something down there if i want to
A Canadian International Driving Permit is only valid outside Canada and is valid for only one year from the date of issue. You must reapply if you need another one. $25.00 for every time you apply. What a rip off.
This is so absurd,
You can now go through customs on the US-Can border with the new quebec ”drivers licence plus” but cannot use the privilege of driving with it in the state of Florida….????? This state legislation needs to be changed for canadians!!!
Are you kidding me? Isn’t the Florida economy hurting enough without turning away millions of Canadians and their hard earned dollars. I think the Caribbean is looking better by the second.
So you would change your plans to not pay $25… Give your head a shake. This is nothing more than a cash grab even tho it goes through our CAA, you can bet that the state gets a large portion of this…
Florida gets none of Canadian IDP money. Not one red cent. There is no cash grab here.
The state makes the money when they pull you over and give you a big ticket for driving without a licence!!