- 注册
- 2002-04-20
- 消息
- 863
- 荣誉分数
- 114
- 声望点数
- 153
Canadians in Florida now require international driving permits
Andy Johnson, CTVNews.ca
Published Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 9:52AM EST
Canadians packing their beach towels and flip-flops for a winter getaway to sunny Florida, must now also pack an international driving permit if they plan to get behind the wheel of a car while in the state.
Kirsten Olsen-Doolan, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, confirmed to CTVNews.ca on Thursday that state law now requires Canadians and other non-U.S. citizens to carry an international driving permit in addition to their regular driver's licence.
She said Florida quietly brought the new requirement into law on Jan. 1, though few people even noticed the new rules at first.
Florida snowbirds, like the ones shown taking part in the 14th annual International Shuffleboard Tournament at Sundestin Resort in Destin, Fla., are now subject to new laws in the state requiring all drivers to hold an international driving permit in addition to their regular license.
"I don't think anyone was honestly tuned into it until some British folks started asking about it, and then you guys started asking about it," Olsen-Doolan said.
The new legislation wasn't intended to inconvenience or upset anyone, she said, adding “we love our Canadians and we want you to come visit!"
The point, she said, was simply to ensure that all drivers in Florida carry licences written in a language that police officers can read and understand.
Lawmakers didn't take into account the fact that Canadian licences are already in English, and the department is now seeking "to make it clear that a license already written in English would be acceptable," she said.
However, the earliest that change could happen is March, when the next legislative session begins. In the meantime, Canadians and all other foreign drivers should abide by the rules.
"People need to try to obtain one for the most part," she said. "There's a lot of things, criminally, that take our attention but you should have the proper documents in case you were to get in a crash or something like that."
And theoretically, she said, drivers who don’t have the proper documents are breaking the law, and could therefore be arrested.
International driving permits are available from the Canadian Automobile Association at a cost of $25. No test is required, but applicants must fill out a form, be 18 years of age or older, and must provide a photocopy of both sides of their valid Canadian driver's licence and two passport-type photos.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/canadians-in-florida-now-require-international-driving-permits-1.1156483
Andy Johnson, CTVNews.ca
Published Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 9:52AM EST
Canadians packing their beach towels and flip-flops for a winter getaway to sunny Florida, must now also pack an international driving permit if they plan to get behind the wheel of a car while in the state.
Kirsten Olsen-Doolan, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, confirmed to CTVNews.ca on Thursday that state law now requires Canadians and other non-U.S. citizens to carry an international driving permit in addition to their regular driver's licence.
She said Florida quietly brought the new requirement into law on Jan. 1, though few people even noticed the new rules at first.
Florida snowbirds, like the ones shown taking part in the 14th annual International Shuffleboard Tournament at Sundestin Resort in Destin, Fla., are now subject to new laws in the state requiring all drivers to hold an international driving permit in addition to their regular license.
"I don't think anyone was honestly tuned into it until some British folks started asking about it, and then you guys started asking about it," Olsen-Doolan said.
The new legislation wasn't intended to inconvenience or upset anyone, she said, adding “we love our Canadians and we want you to come visit!"
The point, she said, was simply to ensure that all drivers in Florida carry licences written in a language that police officers can read and understand.
Lawmakers didn't take into account the fact that Canadian licences are already in English, and the department is now seeking "to make it clear that a license already written in English would be acceptable," she said.
However, the earliest that change could happen is March, when the next legislative session begins. In the meantime, Canadians and all other foreign drivers should abide by the rules.
"People need to try to obtain one for the most part," she said. "There's a lot of things, criminally, that take our attention but you should have the proper documents in case you were to get in a crash or something like that."
And theoretically, she said, drivers who don’t have the proper documents are breaking the law, and could therefore be arrested.
International driving permits are available from the Canadian Automobile Association at a cost of $25. No test is required, but applicants must fill out a form, be 18 years of age or older, and must provide a photocopy of both sides of their valid Canadian driver's licence and two passport-type photos.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/canadians-in-florida-now-require-international-driving-permits-1.1156483
