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No Need For Special Driving Permits

Posted By: Newstalk 1010 · 2/14/2013 4:53:00 PM

You can breathe a sigh of relief.

If you're heading to Florida, you don't need one of those International Driving Permits.

News broke on Thursday morning, that any driver who wanted to motor around the Sunshine State would need the special permits, sold in Canada only at CAA.

Lineups at outlets in Toronto stretched as long as two hours just to file the papers.

Early Thursday afternoon the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles sent an email:

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.

Still, some people waiting to get the special permits at CAA locations in the GTA, decided to stay. They claim they are worried about their insurance companies, if they get into an accident while in Florida.

Since this is still a law, but isn't being enforced, that could be a loophole.

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  1. Joe N posted on 02/14/2013 02:40 PM
    Good news for sure but until it has been officially repealed one is technically driving while unlicensed which would allow your Ontario insurer the right to deny or severely curtail any claim arising out of an accident. Standard wording in all Ontario auto policies provides that you must be otherwise authorized to drive in the jurisdiction where accident occurs. Better to be safe then sorry and get the IDP.alaorde
  2. Kuzyk John posted on 02/14/2013 04:06 PM
    Florida law states I D P required. Just because we see changes on the internet, TV or radio has not changed the law. Florida State Trooper "Jethro" would not be following the law if he did not ask for "all necesary documentation". Sure the majority of the law enforcement might not ask, how much is the fine for not adhering to Florida Law. Be safe follow the law, get a I D P! Who is researcing why CAA is the only supplier in Canada, why not passport office or government liceincing allowed? CAA sponsored mayheim?
  3. Ann posted on 02/14/2013 06:02 PM
    Why does the story read like it is Friday the15th already? Today 14th is not over yet.
    1. Tim posted on 02/15/2013 04:17 PM
      @Ann They say that the Florida State Police won't be checking or charging people.
      But what about the local police departments????
  4. Ray Price posted on 02/16/2013 09:16 AM
    I would like to know that since the Florida State passed this legisation Jan ,1 2013, why after 6 weeks this has now become a concern to the CAA. Is it because the March break is coming soon and the CAA need some type of monetary increase to their funds. Now of course the insurace companies are jumpng on the bandwagon. Florida has at least stated that they will not enforce the rule, why on earth are the insurance companie now sowing gloom and doom just for $$$$$$.
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