International Driving Permit for Florida

[Magic Megadegs]

They are fairly clear about the need to have one on the RAC and AA websites too. As many have said it probably would never be checked but for the sake of £5.50 why take the risk. America is the one country I would not want to be without 100% cast iron insurance x

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/internat...driving-permit

[iHEARTflorida]

does any one know what an IDP looks like?

is it similiar as a UK Driving license? a photocard with a photo?

[wilma-bride]

Originally Posted by Magic Megadegs

They are fairly clear about the need to have one on the RAC and AA websites too.

Admittedly, I haven't look at the RAC website but the AA website only says it is recommended. It does not say that you legally have to have one. And it only says that insurance companies might need to see one. However, if you are renting a car, the insurance is through the rental agency and, unless they say you need one, I stand by my original statement.

As you said, it is not expensive so might be worth getting if you want peace of mind.

[scoobydooby]

I've been reading about this (original source) and while its about as clear as mud (!) it seems the main purpose of these licences is to translate the information on your licence into English. That said is probably why UK people seem to have no experience of been asked for them. However, for an extra £5.50 on a 9k holiday I will now get them just in case.

[chmurf]

Originally Posted by iHEARTflorida

does any one know what an IDP looks like?

it comes in different shapes and forms depending on the country.

here is an example :



UK might follow a different rule, since English is the official language. But here in France we are advised to get an IDP to drive in the USA

On our Embassy's website, there are accounts of French Drivers who have been arrested and charged with driving without a valid license when they only could produce their national license.

At the end of the day, it all depends on the cop checking your license.
The fact that UK licenses are in English sure makes things smoother.
99.9% of the time, you'll be fine without an IDP.
The question remains, do you think it's wise to risk being stopped by the odd .1% of the cops who will frown upon your "local" license ?

You may argue all you want and come up with many theories on the DIS. It's easy. But I wouldn't want to risk having to talk about those theories in a US Court ... especially for £5.50 ...

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

The only countries where I have had to have an IDP have been countries where English is not their first language, I.e. Japan for example. If you have a non English driving licence you have always needed an IDP in the USA.

[wayneg]

I have been reading about this all weekend, didn't start a thread because 99% off what I have read is utter rubbish.
Hopefully more info will come out to clear this up.
As it stands now I go on 1st April and have no intentions of buying one but will be reading lots more about it.

[chmurf]

Originally Posted by wayneg

I have been reading about this all weekend, didn't start a thread because 99% off what I have read is utter rubbish.
Hopefully more info will come out to clear this up.
As it stands now I go on 1st April and have no intentions of buying one but will be reading lots more about it.

I've been reading a lot too. But IMO the link provided by the OP ( http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2012/322.04 ) from the Florida Senate (which should be as legit as it gets) makes things rather clear :

quoted for reference :

322.04 Persons exempt from obtaining driver license.—
(1) The following persons are exempt from obtaining a driver license:
(a) Any employee of the United States Government, while operating a noncommercial motor vehicle owned by or leased to the United States Government and being operated on official business.
(b) Any person while driving or operating any road machine, farm tractor, or implement of husbandry temporarily operated or moved on a highway.
(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:
1. A valid noncommercial driver license issued in his or her name from another state or territory of the United States; or
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.
(d) Any person operating a golf cart, as defined in s. 320.01, which is operated in accordance with the provisions of s. 316.212.
(2) This section does not apply to any person to whom s. 322.031 applies.
(3) Any person working for a firm under contract to the United States Government whose residence is outside this state and whose main point of employment is outside this state may drive a noncommercial vehicle on the public roads of this state for periods up to 60 days while in this state on temporary duty, if the person has a valid driver license from the state of the person’s residence.
History.—s. 16, ch. 19551, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4151(630); s. 16, ch. 20451, 1941; s. 1, ch. 21949, 1943; s. 3, ch. 29721, 1955; s. 1, ch. 59-315; s. 1, ch. 61-124; s. 1, ch. 69-186; s. 5, ch. 78-394; s. 2, ch. 84-111; s. 45, ch. 87-198; s. 34, ch. 89-282; s. 5, ch. 91-243; s. 395, ch. 95-148; s. 32, ch. 95-333; s. 45, ch. 2012-181.

This text can be interpreted to charge any "alien" without an IDP with driving without a license.

This text states that you are allowed to drive a car in Florida (as a visitor) without a proper Florida license, if you have either a License from another state of the US, OR if you have a national license AND an IDP

The text is crystal clear and put in another term : if you don't have a national driver's license AND an IDP, you are required to get a Florida driver's license to operate a car on Florida's roads.

It is not clearly stated that YOU MUST have an IDP, but it is clearly implied that if you don't have an IDP you're NOT EXEMPT from obtaining a Florida Driver's License. In other words if you have neither a FL Driver's licence nor an IDP you are considered to be driving without a valid license

[wilma-bride]

chmurf, I am afraid I disagree with you as I see the Florida statute as being the law that applies to those people required to hold a driver's licence in Flroida. I honestly don't believe that it applies to International visitors to the US who have a rental car. If it did, the rental companies would be aware (and they aren't) and there would be far more checks in place to make sure you had a valid IDP before you were allowed to drive a car.

In fact, the previous chapter to that quoted states when a non-resident is required to obtain a FL driving licence. As we would not be required to obtain a FL licence (as visitors to the state) then the exemptions actually would not apply either since we are not required to be licenced in the state (that made sense in my head but doesn't read so well when reading it back).

In other words, we don't need to meet the requirements to be exempt from obtaining a licence since we are not required to obtain a FL licence in the first place. Hope that makes more sense

[chmurf]

Originally Posted by wilma-bride

In other words, we don't need to meet the requirements to be exempt from obtaining a licence since we are not required to obtain a FL licence in the first place. Hope that makes more sense

I understand what you say, but you are required to get a FL License to be allowed to drive on FL roads, UNLESS you are exempt as per the statute quoted above (including the need for an IDP)

here is the relevant statute

322.03 Drivers must be licensed; penalties.—
(1) Except as otherwise authorized in this chapter, a person may not drive any motor vehicle upon a highway in this state unless such person has a valid driver’s license issued under this chapter.
(a) A person who drives a commercial motor vehicle may not receive a driver’s license unless and until he or she surrenders to the department all driver’s licenses in his or her possession issued to him or her by any other jurisdiction or makes an affidavit that he or she does not possess a driver’s license. Any such person who fails to surrender such licenses commits a noncriminal infraction, punishable as a moving violation as set forth in chapter 318. Any such person who makes a false affidavit concerning such licenses commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(b) All surrendered licenses may be returned by the department to the issuing jurisdiction together with information that the licensee is now licensed in a new jurisdiction or may be destroyed by the department, which shall notify the issuing jurisdiction of such destruction. A person may not have more than one valid driver’s license at any time.
(c) Part-time residents of this state issued a license that is valid within this state only under paragraph (b) as that paragraph existed before November 1, 2009, may continue to hold such license until the next issuance of a Florida driver’s license or identification card. Licenses that are identified as “Valid in Florida Only” may not be issued or renewed effective November 1, 2009. This paragraph expires June 30, 2017.
(2) Prior to issuing a driver’s license, the department shall require any person who has been convicted two or more times of a violation of s. 316.193 or of a substantially similar alcohol-related or drug-related offense outside this state within the preceding 5 years, or who has been convicted of three or more such offenses within the preceding 10 years, to present proof of successful completion of or enrollment in a department-approved substance abuse education course. If the person fails to complete such education course within 90 days after issuance, the department shall cancel the license. Further, prior to issuing the driver’s license the department shall require such person to present proof of financial responsibility as provided in s. 324.031. For the purposes of this paragraph, a previous conviction for violation of former s. 316.028, former s. 316.1931, or former s. 860.01 shall be considered a previous conviction for violation of s. 316.193.
(3)(a) The department may not issue a commercial driver’s license to any person who is not a resident of this state.
(b) A resident of this state who is required by the laws of this state to possess a commercial driver’s license may not operate a commercial motor vehicle in this state unless he or she possesses a valid commercial driver’s license issued by this state. Except as provided in paragraph (c), any person who violates this paragraph is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(c) Any person whose commercial driver’s license has been expired for a period of 30 days or less and who drives a commercial motor vehicle within this state is guilty of a nonmoving violation, punishable as provided in s. 318.18.
(4) A person may not operate a motorcycle unless he or she holds a driver’s license that authorizes such operation, subject to the appropriate restrictions and endorsements.
(5) It is a violation of this section for any person whose driver’s license has been expired for more than 6 months to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of this state.
(6) A person who is charged with a violation of this section, other than a violation of paragraph (a) of subsection (1), may not be convicted if, prior to or at the time of his or her court or hearing appearance, the person produces in court or to the clerk of the court in which the charge is pending a driver’s license issued to him or her and valid at the time of his or her arrest. The clerk of the court is authorized to dismiss such case at any time prior to the defendant’s appearance in court. The clerk of the court may assess a fee of $5 for dismissing the case under this subsection.
History.—s. 15, ch. 19551, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4151(629); s. 15, ch. 20451, 1941; s. 2, ch. 29721, 1955; s. 2, ch. 61-457; s. 1, ch. 63-156; s. 2, ch. 65-496; s. 24, ch. 73-334; s. 3, ch. 78-394; s. 2, ch. 80-308; s. 1, ch. 84-139; s. 10, ch. 86-185; s. 3, ch. 86-296; s. 17, ch. 87-161; s. 3, ch. 88-50; s. 16, ch. 89-282; s. 11, ch. 91-255; s. 73, ch. 94-306; s. 927, ch. 95-148; s. 10, ch. 2009-183; s. 27, ch. 2010-162.

as per (1) a person (US Citizen, alien, you, me) may not drive in Florida unless they have a valid FL license (except if they are exempt from getting one)

so we are required to get a FL license in the first place, unless we meet the exemption criteria mentionnend in statute 322.04

let me put it yet another way : statute 322.03 requires that a person is required to get a Florida License to operate a motor vehicle on FL roads, unless they are authorized by another article in chapter 322, and that relevant article for us is 322.04 indicating that visitors should both have a national license and an IDP.

[orangetiggs]

Has anyone actually asked the rental car companies?

Lots of dis members in fl at the moment, they all might have cars, do they have one?

[Elise79]

Originally Posted by chmurf

I understand what you say, but you are required to get a FL License to be allowed to drive on FL roads, UNLESS you are exempt as per the statute quoted above (including the need for an IDP)

here is the relevant statute



as per (1) a person (US Citizen, alien, you, me) may not drive in Florida unless they have a valid FL license (except if they are exempt from getting one)

so we are required to get a FL license in the first place, unless we meet the exemption criteria mentionnend in statute 322.04

let me put it yet another way : statute 322.03 requires that a person is required to get a Florida License to operate a motor vehicle on FL roads, unless they are authorized by another article in chapter 322, and that relevant article for us is 322.04 indicating that visitors should both have a national license and an IDP.

Playing devils advocate here - but how I can be exempt for getting something that I can not actually apply for? I can not apply for a FL as I am not resident in FL

[wayneg]

Originally Posted by orangetiggs

Has anyone actually asked the rental car companies?

Lots of dis members in fl at the moment, they all might have cars, do they have one?

Someone has had a reply from USrentacar on the Dibb

"We are aware of an ambiguous alteration to Florida driving laws, however when speaking to the suppliers none of them have confirmed that this is relevant to car rental.
We have asked them if it would effect insurances, which they have verbally stated it would not.
Of course, we would never withhold information from our customers, I think I should make it clear that over 2000 customers have collected vehicles this year without any problems, a small minority of these have been involved in accidents and remain fully insured."


They are currently putting together a blog post which will hopefully go live this week detailing confirmation from each supplier.

[orangetiggs]

Thanks wayne, not on the dibb so didnt see that :-)

[wilma-bride]

Originally Posted by chmurf

I understand what you say, but you are required to get a FL License to be allowed to drive on FL roads, UNLESS you are exempt as per the statute quoted above (including the need for an IDP)

here is the relevant statute



as per (1) a person (US Citizen, alien, you, me) may not drive in Florida unless they have a valid FL license (except if they are exempt from getting one)

so we are required to get a FL license in the first place, unless we meet the exemption criteria mentionnend in statute 322.04
let me put it yet another way : statute 322.03 requires that a person is required to get a Florida License to operate a motor vehicle on FL roads, unless they are authorized by another article in chapter 322, and that relevant article for us is 322.04 indicating that visitors should both have a national license and an IDP.

Or unless you are a non-resident as per the link above (and extract below)...

322.031 Nonresident; when license required.—

(1) In every case in which a nonresident, except a nonresident migrant or seasonal farm worker as defined in s. 316.003(61), accepts employment or engages in any trade, profession, or occupation in this state or enters his or her children to be educated in the public schools of this state, such nonresident shall, within 30 days after the commencement of such employment or education, be required to obtain a Florida driver’s license if such nonresident operates a motor vehicle on the highways of this state. The spouse or dependent child of such nonresident shall also be required to obtain a Florida driver’s license within that 30-day period prior to operating a motor vehicle on the highways of this state.
(2) A member of the United States Armed Forces on active duty in this state shall not be required to obtain a Florida driver’s license under this section solely because he or she enters his or her children to be educated in the public schools of this state if he or she has a valid military driving permit or a valid driver’s license issued by another state.
(3) A nonresident who is domiciled in another state and who commutes into this state in order to work shall not be required to obtain a Florida driver’s license under this section solely because he or she has accepted employment or engages in any trade, profession, or occupation in this state if he or she has a valid driver’s license issued by another state. Further, any person who is enrolled as a student in a college or university and who is a nonresident but is in this state for a period of up to 6 months engaged in a work-study program for which academic credits are earned from a college whose credits or degrees are accepted for credit by at least three accredited institutions of higher learning, as defined in s. 1005.02, shall not be required to obtain a Florida driver’s license for the duration of the work-study program if such person has a valid driver’s license issued by another state. Any nonresident who is enrolled as a full-time student in any such institution of higher learning is also exempt from the requirement of obtaining a Florida driver’s license for the duration of such enrollment.
(4) A nonresident who is at least 21 years of age and who has in his or her immediate possession a valid commercial driver’s license issued in substantial compliance with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 may operate a motor vehicle of the type permitted by his or her license to be operated in this state.

I read that as stating that, unless you are included in the examples above, if you are a non-resident you do not have to have a FL licence.