International Driving Licence for USA

4Chickens

There is a nasty rumour going around that some states in the USA now require you to have an international driving licence if you are driving a hire car over there.
Is there any truth in this?
If so, which states operate this policy?
Any links to artictles?

securityguy

4Chickens wrote: »

There is a nasty rumour going around that some states in the USA now require you to have an international driving licence if you are driving a hire car over there.
Is there any truth in this?
If so, which states operate this policy?
Any links to artictles?

Florida proposed it, but it's been struck down.

jackieblack

Was only in Florida, but has been suspended pending further clarification.

Statement from DHSMV on International Driving Permits


Repeal of international driving-permit rule in high gear

House moves to repeal international driving license mandate for foreign visitors

4Chickens

Thankyou very much for your quick replies and links.

I can now tell my husband to quit wittering on about what he don't know nuffin about

jonathon

I am going later in the year and for the cost i will be getting one just to be on the safe side

Attackthebanks

Supposed to be in limbo just now.....
BUT
As others have pointed out for the cost of £5.50 it's worth having, better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!

booler

jonathon wrote: »

I am going later in the year and for the cost i will be getting one just to be on the safe side

What's the safe side? What will the IDP get you in the USA that UK driving licence won't?

CKhalvashi

As far as I'm aware, the license has to be printed in English.

I was in both New York and Cali last year, and had no problem renting a car in either state; surely it would come back on the hire firm should I be caught without a valid license?!

CK

jackieblack

CKhalvashi wrote: »

I was in both New York and Cali last year, and had no problem renting a car in either state;

This was only introduced on Jan 1st 2013 and only in Florida

CKhalvashi wrote: »

surely it would come back on the hire firm should I be caught without a valid license?!

Rental firms were very slow to catch onto the change in legislation and there were many visitors who arrived in Florida before Jan 1st and who were unaware of the change when it came into effect.
Prior to the (temporary) suspension, the law was that if you did not have an IDP, you were driving without a valid licence.
If stopped, law enforcement had the options of arresting the driver and taking them to jail or giving the driver a citation with a mandatory court appearance


This week, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) filed draft language aimed at amending the recent change to Florida law requiring IDPs. The language submitted to the Florida Senate and House of Representatives will restore Florida law to allow licensed foreign drivers to legally operate motor vehicles in the Sunshine State.

Florida repeals law requiring international driving permit for foreigners

anna_grant

booler wrote: »

What's the safe side? What will the IDP get you in the USA that UK driving licence won't?

Er..because the AA advise you to:

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/idp-requirements-by-country.html#U

IDP recommended as, in the event of an accident, some insurance companies will insist on seeing one.

NFH

Look on the bright side. IDPs are considerably easier to obtain in the UK than in many other countries. You just need to go into the right post office and pay a small fee. In some other countries, they have separate driving tests for a national and international licence, the latter being much more difficult.