Heads up for Canadian drivers in Florida

[mamabear0222]

It isn't a license, it is a "permit". BIG difference.

Yes but they are permitting you to drive outside of the country thus VALIDATING your license. They did not issue my license so why can they make money from this and charge whatever fee they feel like?

A PP stated that if you did not have an IDP, it would be treated as if you were driving without a licence. Therefore this permit is pretty much the same thing IMO.

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[Jennny]

Ted, you bring up a very good point (and excellent sluething) all of these says that the IDP is *only valid outside of North America. It sounds like a case of the left not knowing what the right is saying. I would assume that this law would be valid for UK residents and any of those outside of North America..and those in Quebec as one of your links states that drivers from Quebec going to Florida would need one.

I would think that the news outlets are jumping on this, but do they fully understand what it really is? I would assume that we are ok if in fact the IDP is not valid in Florida for us anyways....has anyone contacted CAA about that point?

Jen

 

[myasmum]

Just heard this on the news crazy and our dance studio owner forward is this
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/201...s_carry_an_international_driving_permit.html#

As we are going for a dance competition during March break it's crazy

I think Canada should do this to the US also as a lot of Americans come up here why would Florida start this truly horrible

 

[mamabear0222]

I agree, great find on "only valid outside of north america."

The main site doesnt say this though .. so maybe they are all changing slowly?

http://www.caa.ca/travel-documents/idp/

 

[damo]

Yes but they are permitting you to drive outside of the country thus VALIDATING your license. They did not issue my license so why can they make money from this and charge whatever fee they feel like?

A PP stated that if you did not have an IDP, it would be treated as if you were driving without a licence. Therefore this permit is pretty much the same thing IMO.

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I'm not disagreeing with you. I was being sarcastic. I also don't understand how a piece of paper from a CAA clerk suddenly can make everything just fine. It is beyond ridiculous.

 

[mamabear0222]

I'm not disagreeing with you. I was being sarcastic. I also don't understand how a piece of paper from a CAA clerk suddenly can make everything just fine. It is beyond ridiculous.

Ohhhh sorry I missed the boat on the sarcasm!!!!!

 

[pigletto]

I was looking at a document from 2008 regarding French Canadians and the IDP and it had the "only valid outside North America" wording and then a small addition at the bottom saying French Canadians did need it to drive in the United States.
It is safe to assume that you are looking at the old wording when seeing "Only valid outside of North America". Posters in this thread called CAA last night and were told they didn't need it.
Doesn't change the fact that the law has indeed changed and is in fact listed on the Florida tourism website. I think what we're seeing is a delay in the new law becoming known to travel agencies and rental car places etc. Expect website wording and information to change in the upcoming weeks.

 

[suezieq4u]

Was on the news today here locally...www(dot)cfra(dot)com
Sure alot of people are planning road trips 4 March Break

 

[pigletto]

The CAAs will all be busy today!!!

Yep
Just texted my husband to try to get into one and have his done today. We're completely booked all weekend and all day tomorrow and I don't want to cut it to close to our departure next Friday.

 

[blairjen]

Just picked up my permit this morning at CAA. Whole process took 10 minutes. The actual permit lists the USA as one of the countries it is valid in.

CAA stated they were swamped with calls today and they just found out late yesterday.

Without one you would be in legal limbo if you had a fender bender

 

[greenclan67]

Just picked up my permit this morning at CAA. Whole process took 10 minutes. The actual permit lists the USA as one of the countries it is valid in.

CAA stated they were swamped with calls today and they just found out late yesterday.

Without one you would be in legal limbo if you had a fender bender

Thanks for reporting back. We leave 2 weeks from today. We live in a rural community and the nearest CAA is 1.5 hours from us. So my hubby is going to have to run over and take a couple of hours off of work. Nuts...but I would rather spend $40 get it and be done with it, then have to worry about it. If I spend money that I didn't need to spend, oh well, it is done.

 

[damo]

Interesting little tidbit from the Florida DMV website:

In the U.S., there is no national requirement for non-citizens to obtain an IDP.


http://www.dmv.org/international-driver-permits.php#tz_FL

 

[tigger2on]

So if one is leaving in a week.... How long does it take to get it in your hand? Is it done right then and there?

 

[blairjen]

CAA will take your passport photo and do everything while you wait. 10 minutes this morning in Dartmouth NS

 

[mamabear0222]

So if one is leaving in a week.... How long does it take to get it in your hand? Is it done right then and there?

The website says 15 mins if you go in person. You get it on the spot.

 

[petbren]

The website says 15 mins if you go in person. You get it on the spot.

Took tomorrow off work. No big plans. I have Mondays off so thought I would treat myself to a day of shopping for stuff for our upcoming cruise. Guess I now have plans to go to CAA tomorrow!

 

[Lisa Anne Colling]

My snow bird parents have seen this on the news down there today as well. Florida news is reporting that this was worded wrong and that it was meant for non english lisence and that it will not be enforced. When thier state government gathers again after march they will be rewording this so called law. We had friends there last week, who were in an accident and obviously had to show a DL and they were not charged for not having a IDL. At this moment 99% of snowbirds do not have this, not to mention the Spring breakers leaving soon. The snowbird association is pretty busy today as all these snowbirds are worried! My parents concern was if you are considered driving without a valid DL, how does that effect your insurance if you are in a wreck? I wouldn't rush out today and get an IDL in a panic. Florida officials will say something in concrete by tonight with all these news stations breaking this story. I'm sure once the snowbird association gets wind, they will be mighty mad and you don't want to mess with those birds! LOL!!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Lisa Anne, that's what I suspected.

This is getting bigger and bigger and bigger up here .... the faster Florida corrects this, the better things will get. I hear people suggesting that a neighbouring state might be better to travel to. People overreact .... and let's face it .... February couldn't be a worse time for this

 

[pigletto]

Well I will hold tight then. But we leave next Friday and have a jam packed weekend, Monday is a holiday and we work Tues, Wed, Thurs so hopefully they say something soon.

ETA) I also have friends leaving Wednesday. This leaves them a little stuck.

 

[KRFillion]

And what do you do if you are leaving on Sunday? I have 2 co-workers heading down to Florda this Sunday. They are headed to CAA this morning to get the license. Should they hold off until tomorrow?