Posted on 02/14/2013 7:41:12 AM PST by Squawk 8888
Canadians now require an international driving permit in addition to their provincial licences while driving in Florida after a state law quietly went into effect on New Year’s Day.
With March break just weeks away, CAA is alerting motorists about the change as it lobbies Florida state lawmakers to exclude Canadians from the rule, which applies to all non-U.S. residents. It is estimated that millions of Canadians visit Florida each year.
Florida passed the law so that its law-enforcement officials would not encounter driver’s licence documents in languages they could not read, according to CAA.
Despite its position on the law, CAA is urging Canadians to acquire an IDP if they plan to drive in Florida, be it in their own vehicle or a rental vehicle.
An IDP is a special driver’s licence that allows licensed motorists to drive in other countries without additional road tests or applications, and is proof that the holder possesses a valid licence in his or her home country, according to the Canadian government.
The IDP, which is translated into multiple languages, must be accompanied by a valid driver’s licence. The document is valid in all countries that have signed the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic and is recognized in many other countries.
Motorists can obtain an IDP at any CAA office for $25. CAA is the only organization in Canada that is authorized to issue the document.
100km/h = 60mph. The most severe penalty kicks in at 50k (30mph) over the limit which will get your car impounded.
Aussies do NOT exceed the speed limit. For this lead-footed Yank, it took a bit of getting used to.
Can you imagine having to do the same if you visited Canada and wanted to rent a car (let’s say in Calgary). It would really be a pain. I can see the requirement for visitors (including illegal Aliens), but for Canadians who speak English and are strictly visiting?
That's not exactly true.IIRC Canada only requires proof of US citizenship to enter and they accept birth certificates as proof.The reason you need a passport is because of *US* law.My understanding is that *nobody's* allowed to enter the US without a passport...even US citizens.I recall having driven to Canada in the '70s and,IIRC,all I had to show was a US driver's license...both to the Canadian *and* US border officials.
Is that the “Motor Law” Rush refers to in “Red Barchetta”.
Guess Obama won't be visiting Canada anytime soon. ;)
It’s pretty F’d up that they require French signs all throughout Canada, even in the provinces where very few French people live, yet in Quebec, they do not have to have anything in English.
Then the law should address non-English permits, not foreign permits in general. Wouldn’t be surprised if some US state starts issuing permits in Spanish. Heck, I’m wondering what language some US territories use...
Yes,I do recall that having your vehicle impounded was also mentioned.But is that the only penalty? I could swear that the sign also mentioned a $10,000 fine.I remember it because I just about dropped my dentures after having seen it.I was driving from Detroit to Buffalo so maybe it was another highway...but it was a major one,the equivalent of one of our Interstates.
Go to Miami-Dade County, and English IS a foreign language.
You are correct that the passport is needed to re-enter the USA but there are a couple of other documents that will do the trick. I have an Ontario “Enhanced Drivers’ Licence” that can be used to enter the USA, and there is also the NEXUS card.
French signs are required only required in Quebec, New Brunswick, parts of Ontario and areas under federal jurisdiction (highways are provincial). IIRC the only officially bilingual provinces are New Brunswick and Ontario.
Yep, the impound is in addition to the $10,000 fine. That law was passed to address racing and stunt driving.
As a general rule, most people in Ontario drive 10-20k (5-15mph) over the limit because demerit points start at 16k. Most drivers on the 401, a 100k zone, do 120-130k. On two-lane highways posted 80k most traffic is 90-100k.
You only have to get a passport to go to Canada because WE require passports for Canadians to come here. You REALLY think this is a good law? sheeesh
even if the same language, you should have the IDL (viena treaty).
BTW local constabulary are generally in shock when you tell them the USA does not have a national ID card.
I'll certainly grant that the Quebec driver license is a lot easier to read than these.
Yep. No way.
I have always wanted to learn a little of an Oriental language, Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, like enough to read a menu, find the train station or bathroom, and to say “hello,” “goodbye” and “Delicious!” politely. But all those darn squiggles look the same to me... Like on line two, those first two characters in the field are darn near identical!
Certainly couldn't hurt ... the advice I got from both UK and AUS authorities prior to travel was that my English language, USA State issued DL was all they wanted.
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