Florida Driving Permit Law Put on Hold in Response to Tourist Confusion
Friday, February 15, 2013
By: Matthew Peddie

February 15th, 2012 | WMFE - A new Florida law requiring all foreign drivers to have an international driving permit was put on hold after an outcry from Canadian and UK visitors.

The new law which came into effect January 1st, requires foreign drivers to hold an International Driving Permit-a standardized translation of their driver’s license into 10 different languages- as well as a valid license. But Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles spokesperson Kirsten Olson-Doolan says tourists who visit Florida a lot from Canada and the UK, weren’t happy. 

“That just created a bit of an uproar so we’re going to look at changing the language, so that folks who have their documents in a language that’s able to be read by law enforcement here don’t have to go through additional regulations and come visit like they always have.” 

Olson-Doolan says the law may be in conflict with an international treaty and will be clarified by the Florida legislature. In the meantime, it won’t be enforced by the Highway Patrol.