Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

tori.k

I would have thought that the blame would have been laid at AVIS doorstep as we actually shouldn't have to been able to hire the car without the IDP in the first place, the great thing about America is that it's very common sense based unlike the UK. an IDP is pretty worthless really its just another form to confirm you hold a valid drivers licence we would had needed one to hire the car at the start if we had the old paper licence. we would have been in deep do do if we had had an accident as most insurance companys wont pay out without one tho. something to add to the list for next year's roadtrip.

jackieblack

Well, it would appear the issue is resolved, for the time being .......
http://www.flhsmv.gov/IDP.htm

Statement from DHSMV on International Driving Permits


During the 2012 legislative session, the Florida Legislature amended section 322.04, Florida Statutes, to require visitors from outside the United States to have an International Driving Permit in order to drive lawfully in Florida. This change took effect Jan. 1, 2013.
It has come to the Department’s attention that this requirement may violate the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949), an international treaty to which the United States is a signatory. Treaties to which the United States is a party preempt state laws in conflict with them. Therefore, the Florida Highway Patrol will defer enforcement of violations of the amended statutory section until a final determination of the alignment of the amendment with the treaty can be made. Non-resident visitors to Florida who wish to drive while here will be required to have in their immediate possession a valid driver license issued in his or her name from another state or territory of the U.S. or from their country of residence. However, the FHP will not take enforcement action based solely on the lack of an International Driving Permit.

vivatifosi

Thanks for that maemaesmummy, good spot! So I was driving illegally (sort of) in January. Again, my car hire firm (Alamo) didn't mention it. I guess the next thing we need to do is watch this like hawks next month to see whether it gets repealed.

It's also worth mentioning - while on the subject of driving - that the Move Over Law is now being much more strictly enforced. This means that if you are driving in Florida and see a police car at the side of the road with its lights on, then you must move over to leave a one lane gap between you and the police car. If this is not possible, then you must slow down to 20mph below the speed limit.

delwynshd

Hi Guys

Regarding the driving permit it has been resolved and you dont need one

Thanks
Del

KarenG

vivatifosi wrote: »

It's also worth mentioning - while on the subject of driving - that the Move Over Law is now being much more strictly enforced. This means that if you are driving in Florida and see a police car at the side of the road with its lights on, then you must move over to leave a one lane gap between you and the police car. If this is not possible, then you must slow down to 20mph below the speed limit.

I've never heard of that one :eek:

jackieblack

delwynshd wrote: »

Hi Guys

Regarding the driving permit it has been resolved and you dont need one

Thanks
Del

To be accurate, it's been suspended while they determine whether it breaches the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949)

Florida Highway Patrol will defer enforcement of violations of the amended statutory section until a final determination of the alignment of the amendment with the treaty can be made.

vivatifosi

KarenG wrote: »

I've never heard of that one :eek:

Here's a link, I think it explains the ins and outs better than I have.

http://www.flhsmv.gov/safetytips/MoveOverTips.htm

nambola

jackieblack wrote: »

To be accurate, it's been suspended while they determine whether it breaches the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949)

Florida Highway Patrol will defer enforcement of violations of the amended statutory section until a final determination of the alignment of the amendment with the treaty can be made.

I am travelling to Orlando today. I called Dollar at Orlando International Airport yesterday. They are aware of the suspension BUT are still demanding an IDP to drive. I am not taking the chance. The IDP is £5.50 from a post office and took 2 mins to process. Better to have a car than be without, but morally right. .......

rwaite

Hello. I'm after some advice please. We are looking at going to Florida again at Easter 2014. We are looking at communities to rent a pool villa from. What are the newest built areas? We have stayed at Emerald Island Resort before and it was great as it was very new and also very close to Disney etc. This was about 5 years ago now so we're thinking there must be a newer community now. Thank you, any help greatly received. xxx

KarenG

rwaite wrote: »

Hello. I'm after some advice please. We are looking at going to Florida again at Easter 2014. We are looking at communities to rent a pool villa from. What are the newest built areas? We have stayed at Emerald Island Resort before and it was great as it was very new and also very close to Disney etc. This was about 5 years ago now so we're thinking there must be a newer community now. Thank you, any help greatly received. xxx

Any particular reason you want a newer community? Many of the ones that spring to mind are quite a lot further away? Emerald Island is hard to beat in terms of proximity to Disney.