Trying to impose such a law is just moronic! before even writing such a law as a bill the legislator(s) should have researched the idea to see if it wopuld violate any intrenational treaties, agreements, etc. It just proves that we have the most idiotic "leaders" on the planet!

This state has the worst drivers in the country ... and we're going to tell Canadians and other foreign visitors how to drive when they visit? What a joke!

When we were in Thailand, my husband had to get an International driver's license to legally drive there.

I hope this will serve to show how BHO is trying to usurp the Constitution with his attempts to get an International Small Arms Treaty.

Wake up America!

I would like to know the name of the Bird-Brained Legislator who came up with this Idea, He or She has to be impeached. This will hurt tourisum to such a degree that we will be begging our Canadian neighbors to return, We love our Canadian friends, They are like us, Great folks. Maybe I should move to Canada, spend our winters in Costa Rica or another warm climate. I own if Florida, 25 years, With Idiots running the State that want to do this, Maybe it is time to leave with my Canadian friends that I have met here 30 years ago, Whom also own property here, AND have been DRIVING here for 30 years. GET REAL FLORIDA, STOP THIS BULL---T, NOW

When I was stationed in Germany during the '70's an International Drivers License was required, but not for visitors. I went to Ireland in '04, rented a car and drove around the Island only on my Florida Drivers License. Florida should know better than to encumber tourists, being as big a tourist destination as they are. If it is a revenue issue, which I am sure it is, perhaps they would be better off eliminating waste and fraud in other areas before going after more tourist dollars.

Steve....
How to alienate friends and influence people (to vacation and invest elsewhere).
What a moronic idea, and for what purpose???
Retract this idea quickly and maybe it will go away.

I was advised to get an International drivers license back about 40 years ago when I was going to visit europe. I got one, but was never asked for it. When I was in the military and stationed over there, I didn't need one because I was on orders and had a current valid license from my home state. I believe that as long as the driver has a current and valid license they should be allowed to drive. I also believe it would be beneficial for that same driver to have an english form of their license that can be understood by our law enforcement officials. I don't think many of them or even too many americans can read for example mandarin chinese, or russian. It would also help if they understood our traffic laws and were able to read the signs.

When in the Army stationed in Germany in 1969, we had to be tested and get an international license before we could drive a civilian vehicle there. ""Not free"" What is the difference?

Although not all that difficult to obtain, it will act as a deterent for tourists. There are numerous other places that welcome tourists vacation dollars that do not impliment laws that will act as an impediment to tourism. Talk about big brother!

Leave it to Florida to violate the Geneva Convention and have they forgotten they are a state that depends on tourists?

The reaction is BS. First of all who believes that the Hwy Patrol knows a hoot about the Geneva convention? What really happened is the lefty pro-illegal immigration groups researched this and found an obscure Treaty then they called their lefty friends at the union and asked them to refuse to enforce this law based on their obscure finding. Secondly, the accused have a right to use this as a defense if charged. It is the job law enforcement to enforce the law as written, not write the law. Law enforcement doesn't get to make a determination of justifiable homocide, the arrest and the legal system get to decide.

When I was in Okinawa in the 80's I had to take a test and get an International Drivers License before I was allowed to drive.

we have legislators in florida who are idiots wrapped in a moron.

Florida is run by Repubs, isn't it?

When I rented a motorcycle for a day in Mexico, I had to pay for an international license. I think it was about $15.00.

If we violate a treaty we set the standard for other countries to do the same.

This is just another attempt by Florida to get money out of tourists. Rent a car in Florida and get a ten per cent airport facility fee, whatever that is, tacked on, in addition to sales tax, etc. Food, clothing, even newspapers are taxed, depending on where you buy them.

This is just another attempt by Florida to get money out of tourists. Rent a car in Florida and get a ten per cent airport facility fee, whatever that is, tacked on, in addition to sales tax, etc. Food, clothing, even newspapers are taxed, depending on where you buy them.

No income tax in Florida is made up by taxing EVERYONE for inhaling and exhaling in the officially most corrupt state in the union.

I tried to see the Florida legistrators point of view, but I couldn't get my head that far up my ass.

The Geneva convention law only applies to short term "visitors". Those who visit another country for an extended period are required to get an international license after passing testing for the country where they will be staying. "Visiting" Florida or any other state for the matter, for months, years, etc does not mean you do not need to obtain an international license and follow the laws of the land. Everyone today thinks they are a lawyer...

Florida can KISS MY ASS with their law......... Same goes for needing a FISHING
LICENSE to fish the Atlantic Ocean.......

How can anybody cogently argue all the points brought up in a mere 1500 chars?

It isn't a FL tax; it's required all over the world and doesn't deter anybody from touring say, England or France. Naysayers are ignorant of the reality and are being stupid.

Those durn Floridian Taxi Cab lobbyests! Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I was stationed in Okinawa in 1977. I was required to have a civilian drivers licence to drive there. All I needed to do was show reason or need to drive and I was allowed to take the driving test. It cost me nothing just my time to go to the driving office to be tested.
The joke was when I returned to the US I was required to have insurance. However the insurance companies would only cover me with expensive high risk policies. Two I remember were Allstate and State Farm they said it was due to me not having insurance for a year. I had dropped my insurance when I was sent overseas. No need for insurance if I'm not driving in the US right.
Well it was a way of making more money for the insurance company. This law in Florida is a way to make money for Florida. However no one stopped to think how many thousands of dollars will be spent on legal fees trying to enforce the law. For once the DMV and State Troopers are thinking.
Who cares who found the loop hole what matters is it was found before the courts were over loaded with tickets it can't enforce. It saves the tax payer dollars and saves tax dollars collected in other ways. It also avoids upsetting a tourist trade that the state,counties and city and townships depend.

Americans never learn from their mistakes...How did the 911 terrorists get in the U.S. ??? visas, America is still giving out visas like candy to babies. Many stay in the U.S. after their visas are expired and do we track them down to deport them ??? no... I'm predicting another terrorists attack on the U.S. You would think that the Mexico border would think that the Mexico border would be 100 % secured after the 911 attacks, but no, the Mexico border is only 40 % secured, sad and a joke..Maybe another attack will get the politicians to once and for all secure that dam border before is too late...I believe that terrorists have already enter the U.S. . .I won't be surprise if we get attack again. Former U.S. Marine.

Ofcourse we can demand all fporeign visitors to cough up $25.00...but this fee will cost the usa an arm and a leg...reason as follows
1/ You willl find disgruntled visitors thinking twice to return here in the future
2/ The USa enforces a tax..in the form of a lemy license..the rest of the world will follow almost instantly..they like a steady income just as much..only theirs may be a higher fee.....net result..we take even more of our $$s abroiad , just to pay for our shortsighted greed
3/ The world has not really got a good opinion of our illegal invasions into all these countries in the name of terrorism...here is another reason for people to feel that the usa is indeed a rogue nation, overriding international laws whenever it suits

I think the permit idea is ridiculously stupid and just a money grab by the state. But....

Why the hell does the Geneva Convention have anything in it about road traffic? What else is in there that shouldnt be in there and maybe impedes on the rights of citizens of other countries?

My apologies to SOME of you. I misread 322.04. The amendments does require the international DL AND a DL from their own country. However, to those of you criticizing Republicans, the amendment was passed unanimously, Democrats and Republicans, and the IDL can be issued from their own country. No one has to pay $25 to the state of FL.

Some folks are mentioning countries who didn't sign that treaty, as if that is an excuse. You miss the biggest point: WE did sign it.

That means we have to abide by it.

Have they lost their minds? They may think this has something to do with curbing illegals (why else would they do it??) but seems to me there's other ways that aren't so inane.

I think a lot of you good folks miss the point. As one of the 3,000,000+ Canadians that visit your state, this is not only a bit of an insult but also a pain in the a$$ to have to have two passport photos taken, fill out the forms for the IDP, fork over $25.00 and then wait for it to be processed. I'd just as soon visit another state. How would you feel if Canada refused to recognize U.S. driver's licenses?

Hey Canuck, get rid of your ridiculous VAT and we'll stop charging you fees.

Any lawyers or insurance agents reading this?
Here is the problem I see now.......
The State of Florida realizes they made a mistake.
They say the law will not be enforced.
BUT, it is still the law untill changed by the legislature.
Therefore, as a Canadian how does it effect my insurance? Technically insurance only covers legally licensed drivers and by LAW in Florida non-residents must have an International Drivers Permit to drive.
SO, what happens if I have an accident in Florida and do not have an IDP?

I'm with you Jim, we gotta pay em too!

Good info GP, but I am still a little concerned as I am renting a car in Florida and my credit card (Visa) will be covering the insurance. I suspect reason would prevail, but these days you never know.

my concern on something like this would be if they even knew what the basic rules were for driving in this country. Remember that in Europe and England and elsewhere in this world we have vastly different rules governing driving. testing them to make sure they can drive safely on the road is not a bad idea. if they have already proven that to get an international driver's license and not just one for their own particular country then this is a dumb law. if not then maybe this needs to be looked at closer.

I am Canadian and I spend over 12K dollars year in US, if the International driving licence will apply in Florida why I should visit your state? why I should pay 25$ more a year in Quebec to visit your State?
your State don't need that monney?

P.S. in England, Japan and Irland they drive in right side.

Hey! If Obama said it is ok, then it MUST be ok!

By the way .... The cost of an International Driving Permit in the UK is £5.50 plus two passport photos and this can be done over the counter at main Post Offices. I live in the UK but have a holiday home in Florida I shall be getting my IDP next week. I am not taking any chances!!!

The state of Florida does not get any money from the IDL, they would only get money if someone was to be fined for not having one if stopped. The IDL is purchased where you live. The issue here is Florida requiring one not Florida selling you one. I am always amazed at the comments generated by any topic... They get so far off base it is unreal.

Not at all happy about this but in Florida's defence you guys don't have a manopoly on dumb legislators. We once had legislation where I come from creating the Samuel Holland Institute of Technology. They had the name spread all over the place in signage, letterhead, etc. But when the school put in their first order for jackets with the school initials across the back, the legislature had to meet to quickly change the name. True story - no one can make this stuff up.

If anyone wants to know how America views "Treaties", just look at how our Government has used them in the past. Native American Treaties come to mind. Government only observes Treaties when it's to their advantage. We are a Sovereign Nation and Florida is a Sovereign State. There are those that want to change that so that we can all fit in the same box! Watch for it!

I live in Scotland and have been visiting the lovely Sunshine State and it's lovely people once or twice each year for 14 years - next visit in April!. I have held a full driving licence for 47 years. The point is that this new law was not publicised and not mentioned on my car hire agreement so I could have arrived at the Airport and discovered that I could not hire a car without an International Driving Permit - so 3 weeks vacation ruined. Fortunately I saw an item on BBC news on Friday morning and started researching myself.
The position now, as I understand it, is that the "new law" is still on the statute book but will not be enforced. It is, however, still a law and to make sure that there are no insurance implications for me I will have to obtain an IDP - which is only valid for 12 months so if I decide to vacation in Florida next year I need another IDP. OK it only costs £5.50 (about $8.50) and a passport photo but there are only 88 Post Offices in the entire UK that issue them and not very many of these are in Scotland. Most of them are in large city centres and if you have ever been in the UK you will know that car parking is not easy in any city and our Post Offices are the same as yours - stand in line for hours.
It is just a hassle I could have done without.
My car hire agreement states that I must produce a driving license in "Roman Script". In other words "in English" - surely your legislators could have found a similar wording for the "new law"?

One good thing, it shows the police how to spell 'Licence' Thanks legislators for making me take a half day from work to pick up something that looks like a 40s ration card.

Hey what is missing here besides a total lack of common sense. Obama is saying his priority is to grow the economy and get American's back to work. Well, Mr. Obama you should get this idiotic requirement for Canadian's to carry an additional driving permit. Those Canadian's contribute about $4 BILLION annually to the state of Florida, now, do we need to say how many tens of thousands of jobs that continues to generate in Florida. If you tick Canadian's off, and that's possible because Florida is not the last resort left on the face of the earth to get away to enjoy the sun. It is enough to really get the Canadian's po'd enough to change there mind on visiting Florida. The current cost for a Canadian to hold a Canadian passport for a five-year period is less then $100, but, the cost for them to get the stupid IDP driving permit for the same period would be approximately $350...that is enough to get anyone annoyed enough to go elsewhere. For over 90% of Canadian visitors they already hold a drivers license with photo and in English and all the IDP permit says is that this person holds a drivers license from Canada "in English" duh, no brainer. What a slap in the face to Canadians who help out the economy so much every year. FLORIDA - get the message out there that this IDP is not needed. Particularly, get the message to car rental agencies so that the Canadian's won't have an issue at the airport to rent a car...that would really get them going in the other direction.