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.
What a ridiculous law.
Via simple deduction and elementary reasoning, as well as a rudimentary understanding of ‘how’ the English language relates to French and other Romance languages should allow just about anyone with a brain to be able to decipher a Quebecois driver’s license.
After Quebec goes adrift...I think we should just absorb Anglo-Canada. Would help to dilute the nonsense flowing over our southern border.
Not while Obama’s in charge!
I think that speaks to the level of education these days. There was a time when grade-school and high-school English classes included the origin of words and the relationship between English and other languages. Growing up in Canada I also had the advantage of French lessons from kindergarten on- not adequate to speak the language but it helps.
When Texas Secedes from the Union, we’ll ask Alberta to join us.
Does the international permit for Canadians have a section where they have to acknowledge that turn blinkers have an “off” position?
And they drive REALLY slowly !
LOL. Living here in the Coachella Valley (think Palm Springs area) of California, our population increases by about 35% each winter when the “snowbirds” arrive from British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, Oregon, etc. The biggest complaint of us locals is that these folks drive well below the speed limits and usually in the left lanes. Then they write to the local newspaper that we Californians should lower our speed limits.
Canadians...just tell them you sneaked across the Mexican border and they’ll give you a chauffeur and sign you up for Medicaid. Might even get a ‘key’ to several cities. You can be a hero!
Canadians should be easy to spot in Florida.
They are the ones driving between the lines, signaling their turns and driving below the posted speed limit.
Let's see now...it's January.Calgary or Phoenix? Montreal or Tampa? Canadians may be a lot of things but they *ain't* stupid!
The Federal Reserve can just print up some more American Pesos.
You are correct. You do not need a passport to enter Canada from the US, a birth certificate is sufficient. You need the passport to reenter the US. As a parent of a student attending McGill University in Montreal, you can take this information to the bank.
Yup. It’s in the same place where Americans have to acknowledge that every modern vehicle HAS turn signals... ;)
Illegal aliens are untouchable
Illegal aliens are untouchable
Clearly a Canadian license can be read by a Florida police man. The big problem could be at the car rental kiosks. I’ve rented cars in Canada and the UK without any problem using a Massachusetts drivers license.
Canadian drivers’ licences are issued by the provincial ministry of transport as well as auto regisration.
Its not that much different from American state drivers’ licensing and Canadian drivers’ licences are valid in the US.
A US law enforcement officer would still recognize a Quebec permis du conduire as a valid drivers' license.
In border states, a US passport is unnecessary for travel to Canada. A state drivers’ license, will for an additional fee, serve as a passport card too. Just show it at Canada Border Agency and you’ll be waved through.
ON freeway speed limit is 100 kph = 62 mph.
Its less in built-up urban areas. Since American motor vehicles have both km/m markers in their speedometer, complying with Canadian provincial traffic laws is seldom an issue.
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