15 March 2013

Florida repeals International Driving Permit law

Though it still has to pass through Senate, Florida moved a stage closer to dropping it's ill conceived International Driving Permit law this week.

Good news for visitor hiring cars in Florida. The Florida House has approved a bill repealing the law made last year that required foreign visitors to carry an International Driving Permit. The bill was passed unanimously and although it still needs to be passed by the Senate, it is expected to be passed there too.

The law came into force in January and was designed to help the Florida Highway Patrol who were being faced with licences written in foreign languages. However, the law conflicted with an international treaty so Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles was forced to suspend enforcement of the law from 14th February.

The law was not well publicised and caused chaos for tourists at car hire desks as the rental firms insisted on seeing the driving permits. Some of the larger car rental firms also changed their terms and conditions of hire to include the IDP.

In the meantime, it may still be worthwhile obtaining an International Driving Permit if only to save potential arguments at the rental desk. They are available from larger Post Offices and cost just £5.50. Hopefully the bill will be passed by Senate soon, rental companies can change their terms and conditions again and we can return to business as usual and save the £5.50.

If you want to save more than the cost of the International Driving Permit, we suggest you visit the MoneyMaxim combined car hire and car hire insurance comparison site for your car hire needs in Florida, or indeed anywhere else.