A new law this year in Florida requires that all visitors from foreign countries must carry an international driving permit in addition to their local driver's license when driving a car in Florida. In the past, Canadian drivers had not needed the international permit and were allowed to drive in the US while carrying just their Canadian licenses. (For what it's worth, when we visited Canada two summers ago, we drove around British Columbia on our US licenses. We didn't need an international permit, either.)
Why the change? "Security," of course. An international driving permit translates license information into 10 languages, helping local authorities understand the personal information on licenses issued by foreign countries. Of course, one wonders why Florida police officers would need a translation of the English-language licenses from all those Canadian provinces that aren't spelled "Quebec." [Let's try this as an easy way to translate Canadian English to Floridian English: Swap the "eh" for "y'all" and we're good to go, okay?]
Theme Park Insider reader Kathy McPherson alerted me to the change, emailing me a Toronto Star article about Canadians' reaction to the new law.
"Our local CAA [Canadian auto club] offices are going crazy because this is the only place you can get them," McPherson wrote. "We are heading to Florida in a couple weeks and will have to line up and get ours before we go."
Today, the Florida Highway Patrol reacted to the uproar in Canada by announcing that it won't enforce the new law against Canadian drivers with English-language licenses, at least for the time being. But that doesn't apply to local law enforcement, and some car rental companies are continuing to insist on the international permit to rent to Canadian visitors. So many Canadians who want to visit Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando will need to keep queuing for the permits, or else risk not being pulled over when they drive in Florida (assuming they're bringing their own cars down or can rent one in Florida despite not having the international permit).
Florida tourism officials told The Star that they're hoping to convince Florida lawmakers to change the law when the legislature meets again next month.
Tweet
NO ONE IS GOING TO BE ARRESTED!!!!!!!
http://www.wtsp.com/news/topstories/article/298359/250/Snowbirds-happy-intl-driving-permit-not-enforced
See above news report.
On the bright side, this law might uninentionally save some Canadian lives by pushing them to fly instead of driving :-).
I mean, who wants visitors from a neighboring country anyway… Spending their monies here in the USA… Let’s make it harder for them…
Why enact a State law for this, when the Federal Law says they can drive in the USA.
And I never called Republican's backwards.. Even if they are, I never said it…Even if they tried to steal the Floridians vote by not having early voting… And limiting voting places and hours… Creating 8 hour lines… I can go on but I digress...
Every time I am in a Theme park and I met a visitor in line from another country, I thank them for visiting the USA. Why not embrace the visitors here spending their monies and not make it harder for them to drive.. We are not talking about a visitor from China… It’s Friggin Canada..
I never thought we'll be talking about voting irregularities, but maybe they learned something from the Democrats. Really!!!
It is not a standard – It’s a New State law… New….
Let’s regulate really stupid things and forget about the important things… Like voting rights…
I was making a point about where priorities are in a badly run state.
Why not have Canada update their policies to match what Florida is doing? You know they will respond. That's the way it works, but you're already stupid. Florida already indicated they will change the law. The law as passed will be changed.
A state law is their standard. I don't know what is really important over other more important things. Driving happens every day. Voting happens once in a few months or years depending on the election.
What's the point? I still don't get your argument.
Yes, typical republican response – shove our opinions down other’s throats…
My point is simple - why make it more difficult for Canadians to spend their monies in Florida? Wouldn’t you want and encourage tourism? Again it’s Canada where we can drive freely with a US license – It’s a handshake between friendly countries.
And the voting thing is just an example of more BS Florida republican efforts to keep those subservient.
Now, because of the massive freak-out by the Canadians, there will be no required licence translations for those licences written in French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), German, Polish, Swedish... you get the point. All this just makes it harder for the police when they arrive at the scene of the 1000s of accidents that happen every tourist season.
No, they don't have to do a thing. I said they could respond if they wish; however, this is unnecessary as I already said Florida will change their law in response to the freakout from Canada. Idiot.
Typical Democrat response.... freakout over nothing.
Canadians can drive freely. Again, what's wrong with the International Driving Permit? Absolutely nothing. It's just a permit, not a driving test or anything else.
Yes Typical… GOP (Group of Old People)… Wait one moment so I can swig down some Poland Springs.. hahahha
BRIAN (Brain Retard In Actual Need).
Fails to see public safety need. Only wants money.
Marco Rubio is no old guy. Brian, open your eyes. Your bad eyesight is failing you.
I want money for what? I work full time, US Navy Vet (6 years of service), college graduate, Paid off every penny of my student loans, never got 1 penny of grants…
And no I never called you any name. Just made a reference to an outdated shrinking political group with no ideas except going to war with countries where there are so many weapons of mass destruction.
Is this John McCain I talking to? Is that you?
If you said Chris Christie I might respect you – but Marco.. hahahha Thx. I needed the laugh..
I spent many years driving all over the world and never had a problem. The need for an international drivers licence was not an issue. It is just another stupid rule in the name of security. Florida is not alone. Europe is now pushing the same thing.
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
Great, less money to spent in the US for me then.
Florida law is made by scared little idiots. Grow up and deal with terrorism in an adult way like the rest of the world does.
Home of the brave, my ass.