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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFlorida backs away from requiring 'international driving permit' from Canadians
Source: The Globe and Mail
Authorities in Florida say at least some police officers will not enforce a new law requiring foreigners to carry a special drivers licence.
The law, which quietly came into effect on Jan. 1, requires non-U.S. residents to have an international driving permit when operating a vehicle in the state.
On Thursday, the department of highway safety and motor vehicles said the Florida Highway Patrol would defer enforcing the legislation because the department had discovered that the legislation may violate the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. The U.S. is a signatory to the treaty, which pre-empts any conflicting state laws.
The climb-down comes amid an uproar over the new rules in Canada, which sends millions of tourists to the Sunshine State every year.
Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/florida-patrol-now-says-it-wont-demand-international-licence/article8666459/
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)riverbendviewgal
(4,253 posts)They do the stupidest laws...
Why can't they raise the wages minimum ?
How about improving voting registration?
no ..they do the stupid laws
LiberalFighter
(50,950 posts)riverbendviewgal
(4,253 posts)TiredOfMcGuinty
12:43 PM on February 14, 2013
Another reason to vacation in Cuba instead.
Dave in Ottawa 2013x1
12:14 PM on February 14, 2013
Florida Governor Rick Scott has become lost in the mad mad world that sees
a terrorist threat in anyone who is not a US citizen in Florida.
This new requirement is just another step by the mad world of conservative
American Politics to label anyone who is a citizen of another country as an inferior
member of humanity and promotes hatred and discrimination towards foreigners.
Those with a Florida Driver's license can drive in Canada, UK, New Zealand, Australia without a problem. No international driver's license required.
Florida is now the first US state to bring in this requirement and if it is allowed to stand we an expect all the other US states to follow.
It's also a direction to Law Enforcement that those on Foreign Licenses require
special attention and it suggests that foreigners, not just Canadians need to be
singled out for attention that is not given to US Citizens who reside in Florida.
Governor Rick Scott has just sent Canadian Tourists an invitation to Visit Cuba where Canadian Tourists are still welcome.
Joycee205
12:15 PM on February 14, 2013
I own a Florida Condo and leave a car here (bought here). Ican only get insurance with a Florida Drivers license which I must renew every year Because i am an ALIEN.
7 replies
Gunga Jim
12:01 PM on February 14, 2013
Interesting that AAA provides them to Americans at $15 a pop. CAA takes the border premium and charges Canadians $25, plus it's a government-sanctioned monopoly. I'll bet it's not a volume issue either!!
zepcom
12:31 PM on February 14, 2013
It's ridiculous, given that the international driver's permits are basically available from gumball dispensers. When I needed one in the caribbean, the rental agency just brought one to us -- nothing was needed to obtain it.
Dave in Ottawa 2013x1
12:20 PM on February 14, 2013
The Canadian Solution is to include International Driver's License privileges
into every driver's license that includes passport information.
Governor Rick Scott's reality is the mad world of tea party political
correctness that lacks logical or legal reasoning.
RoadSlicks
12:53 PM on February 14, 2013
I've rented numerous vehicles in FL with my BC drivers licence; the rental agencies don't seem to care.
Lela Gary
1:55 PM on February 14, 2013
If everybody who feels this is a folly and an injustice to Canadians, better spread to all social media and travel agencies the idea of Boycotting Florida !
Florida deserves to be Boycotted.
JimmieB
2:12 PM on February 14, 2013
The US is one of the most violent and paranoid countries in the world. I'm surprised that they don't require international licenses for anyone from other states.
Jax wrds
12:32 PM on February 14, 2013
I have spoke wih several authorities in Florida about the IDP and they tell me this is just a language translation of one's drivers licence; it is not another licence.
2:59 PM on February 14, 2013
Crazy republicans in Florida forgot that their economy depends on Canadian money.
Then they remembered.......
Donniebrook
2:30 PM on February 14, 2013
Good!!! Another great reason to avoid God's waiting room completely. It's better in the Bahamas anyway...
egdusa
11:56 AM on February 14, 2013
I'm sure the law was intended towards international travelers from places other than Canada who fly in, rent a car, and wreak havoc on Florida's roads.
Now if only they'd do something about those seniors with non-Florida licenses who drive on the sidewalks...
The layabout
1:58 PM on February 14, 2013
Whatta load !
"International "drivers are the least of this state's problems
Better for the state to chase some of their own.
Florida drivers can be just as ignorant as Mexicans.
Refusing to give way ,passing on right,turning right on red without stopping,speeding and more.
Trouble is most are probably armed .
I look forward to getting out of the state and NOT ever returning.
Wanna buy a house ?
Dave in Ottawa 2013x1
1:05 PM on February 14, 2013
Florida Governor Rick Scott can be emailed at Rick.Scott@eog.myflorida.com
Be warned. Governor Rick Scott has a habit of removing any email that don't agree with his narrow view of the world.
Don't use the On-Line Form, all those messages are posted for the public to view providing of course that agree with him.
Don't bother using his Twitter, its a One-Way Twitter account, that only posts tweets that promote him.
jdrove
12:01 PM on February 14, 2013
Another paranoid tax grab. How do you get one when already here ? Not going back just for that. The fine would be less.
Apu1
1:07 PM on February 14, 2013
I guess the dimwits in Florida have never heard of EDL's; which satisfy WHTI requirements as an acceptable citizenship document.
islandpapa
1:34 PM on February 14, 2013
great news for arizona and california
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dirtyduck
1:21 PM on February 14, 2013
what a joke. I know someone who was about to lose their license, and got an international one. They're like getting a license in a box of cereal.
BuckSaver
1:51 PM on February 14, 2013
I called the CAA this morning and one can print out the PDF application online (although it's buried in their website), and if your Spouse needs one too but doesn't want to make the trip to their office, just take the completed and signed application forms, passport photos and drivers licenses to their office and walk out the same day at $25/driver/year no tax on the permit.
Still between pictures, forms and driving to the nearest CAA office (gas, depreciation) and obtaining the permit, the better part of a day plus realistically over $100 in cost.
That being said, this past weekend I watched the golfers at Pebble Beach and a few weeks ago at Torrey Pines with the Pacific waves crashing on the adjacent beaches and I'm thinking it's time to revisit Central and Southern California...not quite as warm temperature wise but perhaps with a sunnier less fearful, more intelligent disposition towards tourists.
They certainly don't tax hotels rooms and other tourist related amenities as rigorously as Florida does and their geography whether coastal, mountains, central plain or desert is far more interesting and many of their beaches far less commercial and far more accessible, and the wine...
lpbk2713
(42,759 posts)I didn't know they had that kind of latitude.
"Shot a guy? Hmmm. Let's see. Do I feel like making an arrest today?"
I guess it worked for Zimmy.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)Florida says sorry to British drivers after passing law forcing visitors to carry international licence
Authorities in Florida say a new law requiring British, Canadian and other English-speaking drivers to carry an International Driving Permit has been put on hold.
Embarrassed officials were forced to apologise over the blunder which would have meant Brits and Canadians driving in the Sunshine State would have had to buy the permit at the cost of 25 Canadian dollars.
The legislation was passed largely unnoticed last year and was originally intended to make sure all drivers in Florida held a licence printed in English.
But The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has issued a statement which says the law would have been a violation of the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2281776/Florida-says-sorry-British-drivers-passing-law-forcing-visitors-carry-international-licence.html#ixzz2LXCOO7IR
MineralMan
(146,317 posts)depends heavily on tourism. I hereby award them the 2013 Spite Your Face award.