Please share with your law enforcement staff, if applicable: A new law that went into effect January 1 requires non-U.S. residents who drive in Florida to carry an international driving permit. This law was passed during the 2012 legislative session. The intent of the law was to make sure that law enforcement would not be given documents in languages other than English.
This has caused concern to Canadian tourists who were afraid that they might go to jail or might not be covered in the event of an accident. It has given negative connotations about Florida.
Recently, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles released a statement that said this new law may violate the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. This is an international treaty to which the U.S. is a signatory and thus preempts state law that is in conflict with it. Florida is working on a proposal to change the language of the new law that would not require visitors with a license in English to have an international driving permit.
In the meantime, Florida Highway Patrol has stated it will defer enforcement while awaiting State action. Nonresidents wishing to drive in Florida must have a valid driver’s license issued from the country of origin/residence, and FHP will not require the IDP until State action occurs.
