idpA new law which quietly went into effect in Florida this year is gaining international attention, for all the wrong reasons.

It turns out the new law, which requires international visitors to obtain an International Driving Permit, is a direct violation of the Geneva Convention. It also has been angering a lot of Canadians who have been visiting the Sunshine State for years without the need to obtain a special driver’s license to do so.

As far as the Geneva Convention, that international clearly states that all the countries which sign (this includes the United States) agree to allow citizens from other countries which have signed the treaty to drive in their country with their own driver’s license. Forcing visitors from other countries which have signed the treaty to obtain a special license to drive there is a direct violation of the convention.

Apparently this point was lost on Florida Congressman Ben Albritton when he wrote the new bill last year. Now Florida legislators are scrambling to save face and save those valuable dollars spent by the thousands of Canadian tourists who come to visit each winter.

For now the Florida Highway Patrol has issued a statement that because the law violates the Geneva Convention troopers will not enforce it. That means Canadians can drive easy on their way to the state, and while visiting the state, using their own Canadian driver’s license to do so.