Brace yourselves, fellow Floridians. Once again, we are susceptible to hearing the term "Flori-DUH" tossed about. This time, a combination of very little research along with a great deal of confusion is to blame. So much so, in fact, that even Florida lawmakers have found themselves apologizing, not only to Canadians but also to British and other English-speaking countries, for being "unintentionally targeted." The only thing that appears crystal clear here is that the resulting debacle was surely not the intention of Florida State Rep. Ben Albritton upon introducing the bill last year.
In an attempt to ease numerous translation complexities often experienced by police and motor vehicle employees alike when dealing with identification issues from foreign lands, a "largely unnoticed" state law (part of a large transportation bill) was passed last year, taking effect January 1, 2013. Legally known as Florida Statute section 322.04, the amended statute now requires visitors from outside the United States to obtain International Driving Permits in order to drive lawfully in the State of Florida. In other words, a foreign visitor wanting to drive in Florida must now have in his/her possession (i) a valid driver's license issued from his/her home country and (ii) an International Driving Permit (also issued from his/her country), representing the English translation of the driver's license. International Driving Permits are documents that translate driver's licenses into ten (10) different languages so that police and other necessary personnel may interpret foreign licenses with accuracy. Sounds reasonable enough, you may conclude, but what about Canada and other English-speaking countries whose licenses are already issued in the English language?
First and foremost, it is interesting to note that Florida is the only state in the nation requiring foreign drivers to maintain International Driving Permits. Secondly, keep in mind that Canadians account for the majority of Florida's international visitors, with numbers totaling 3.3 million in 2011 (followed by 1.3 million Brazilians and 1.3 million British tourists). Furthermore, more than a million Canadian snowbirds are already here in Florida for the winter season. And since the law "quietly" came into effect on January 1-without even so much as the tourism industry appearing to notice until a British journalist recently questioned the same, it is reported-the bedlam has begun.
According to reports, Florida's tourism website Visit Florida posted an article just last week warning foreign travelers that International Driving Permits are now the law in Florida, and that the law's impact on their personal auto insurance and ability to rent a car is "uncertain". The Canadian Automobile Association, in turn, immediately followed suit, alerting its Canadian citizens through websites and the like, warning its members that insurers may not pay claims for any accident they have while driving without an International Driver's Permit. "Every single time someone drives without an International Driver's Permit, it's a risk," said Kristine Simpson, public relations manager of the Ottowa Division of the Canadian Automobile Association. Resultingly, more than 20,000 permits were issued last week, with Canadians jamming CAA offices upon learning of the new law. In addition, Canadian citizens already here in Florida are turning to rush mail delivery to obtain a permit. According to Ian Jack, the CAA's government relations director, Canadians are "stupefied, frustrated and concerned." And that's only half of the story.
Adding to the confusion is Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' recent release on their website, as follows:
"It has come to the Department's attention that this requirement [Florida Legislature amended section 322.045, Florida Statutes] 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 part 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."
Florida's DHSMV spokeswoman Kirsten Olsen-Doolan indicated that as the next legislative session begins in March, "the soonest any change might happen would be July 1." However, state officials insist there is nothing to worry about. Although the law is on the books, because it may violate a portion of the Geneva Convention, it isn't being enforce4d. "We love our Canadians. They contribute to our economy. We don't want to discourage them from coming here."
Meanwhile, this matter has indeed frightened many long-term Canadian snowbirds who are now apprehensive to go anywhere in their cars right now. "My family members were panicking that I would go to jail or my insurance wouldn't cover me in the event of an accident," said Bryan Cleveland, a Toronto-area native and part-time Naples resident. "It was giving them negative connotations about the State of Florida."
Although it remains unclear when the law will officially be amended, Florida Rep. Ben Albritton was quoted as saying "This one I just missed. I want to tell the people in Canada I am sorry. If I messed something up, I am man enough to fix it."
johns Dorsan has been actively involved in Auto Insurance and Car Insurance services . He loves to pen down his experiences and thoughts related to the industry in his spare time.
