On Sunday 10th August 2014 the very last performance of Clyde & Seamore Take Pirate Island will take place at Seaworld Orlando. This family favourite has being going strong for 15 years, providing laughs from start to finish. Read More »

Have you checked your enquiries lately?

Here at Direct Villas UK we’ve been doing a little research and listening to our members. Your feedback is always important and helps us continue to improve the service we offer.  There’s still more on our ‘to do’ list but we’ve made one change to our enquiry system today that we hope will see your conversion rates soar. Read More »

Planning a trip to enjoy all Florida’s great attractions and year round sunshine? Have you taken a look at all the accommodation options? If you are travelling from the UK you may not be as familiar with the idea of a ‘condo’ but here are just some of the advantage you may not have thought about . . .  Read More »

Last year, a gigantic eyeball went viral when it washed up on Pompano Beach in Florida. People all over the world wanted to know the origins of the mysterious peeper. But it wasn’t the first time a bizarre discovery had been made on the sands of Florida. In fact, weird and wonderful things have been washing up here for years. It turns out it’s not just holidaymakers who are attracted to Florida’s beautiful beaches, but everything from giant Lego men to dead mermaids. We combed the net and found some of the most weird, wonderful and downright unbelievable things ever to be found on the Sunshine State’s shores.

Florida is well known for doing things bigger and occasionally better than most other places, but what has been big in the Sunshine State in 2013?  Read More »

Holidays to Florida normally conjure up images of packed theme parks and bustling beaches, but for a growing group of urban explorers, it’s the state’s abandoned places that are the main attraction. We featured some of Florida’s most awesome unfinished and abandoned structures back in 2008 – and now we’ve found even more. A graffiti-spattered sports stadium, futuristic houses and defunct hotels are just some of the eerie but fascinating structures tucked behind Florida’s mass tourism. There’s even a secret rocket factory from the 1960s. These stunning images give you a glimpse into some of The Sunshine State’s most surreal sights. Some of them are no longer standing, but thankfully they were caught on camera before they faded forever. Read More »

You have found the flights and you have now booked your leave at work  . . . but getting the right holiday home, along with the right owner, can help make your vacation a magical one. Where do you start? Read More »

We’ve listened to our customers feedback and have made some changes to the way you receive enquiries from us, the way the availability calendar is displayed and the property search – the result?  More targeted enquiries for you and better chances of generating bookings! Read More »

The short answer is no, an International Drivers Permit is generally not a legal requirement for non-resident visitors to drive in Florida. Visitors can typically drive using a valid driver’s license issued by their country of residence, provided they are not establishing Florida residency. However, while the IDP is not legally mandatory in Florida, it is highly recommended as a helpful supplementary document especially if you are considering driving in other states such as Georgia that does require an International Drivers Permit.

The Flip-Flop of Florida Law

Generated Using AI.

In January 2013, a change to Florida Statute 322.04 briefly made it a requirement for non-US residents to have an IDP alongside their home country’s driving licence to drive legally in Florida. This created significant concern among international tourists.

However, following swift legislative action and public reaction, the amendment enforcing the IDP requirement was quickly repealed by the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles.

The current position is that a full, valid UK driving licence is generally sufficient for a visitor to drive a rental car in Florida.

Why the IDP is Still Recommended

Despite the repeal of the mandatory state law, there are several compelling reasons why a UK visitor to Florida should still consider obtaining an IDP before they travel:

Rental Company Policy: While not a state law, some car rental agencies may still include a clause in their terms and conditions recommending or even requiring an IDP, particularly if the UK licence is an older, paper-only version. Always check with your specific rental company to avoid issues at the collection desk.

Facilitating Police Interaction: The

The short answer is no, an International Drivers Permit is generally not a legal requirement for non-resident visitors driving in Florida.

Visitors may drive using a valid license issued by their home country, provided they are not establishing Florida residency. However, while an IDP is not legally mandatory, it is strongly recommended as a helpful supplementary document.

Why an IDP is Still Recommended

An IDP is an official translation of your foreign driver’s license into ten languages. This translation can significantly expedite matters and prevent confusion with car rental agencies and law enforcement, especially if your home country license is not in English.

Despite the law, an IDP is advised for several reasons:

Rental Company Policy: Some car rental agencies may still recommend or require an IDP, particularly if your license is an older, paper-only version. Always check with your specific rental company.

Police Interaction: In the event of a traffic stop or accident, the IDP facilitates faster interaction with the Florida Highway Patrol or local law enforcement, helping prevent language barriers or misunderstandings about your license’s validity.

Peace of Mind: The minimal cost of an IDP offers an internationally recognised document that validates your UK licence, giving veteran travellers assurance on the road.

Extended Stays: A US-state license or an IDP will become necessary if your stay extends beyond a short tourist visit (typically over 3 months).

The Law’s History

Florida Statute 322.04 briefly made the IDP a requirement for non-US residents in January 2013. This change caused significant concern among international tourists. Following swift legislative action and public reaction, the amendment was quickly repealed. A full, valid UK driving licence is currently sufficient for a visitor to drive a rental car in Florida.

Preparation Checklist for UK Visitors

UK visitors hiring a car in Florida should ensure they have the following documents:

• Your full, valid UK Photocard Driving Licence. (Older, paper-only licenses require a separate form of photographic ID, such as a passport).
• Your Passport. (Mandatory for ID).
• Credit Card (in the primary driver’s name for the rental deposit).
• Booking Confirmation/Voucher.
• International Driving Permit (IDP) – Highly Recommended.

Getting an IDP

The process to obtain an IDP is straightforward. In the UK, you can get one over the counter at specific shops with Pay Point. You will need:

• Your full, valid UK driving licence.
• A passport-sized photo.
• The application fee (typically around £5.50).

The IDP for the USA is a 1949 Convention permit, valid for one year.

Conclusion

While Florida state law does not legally require an International Driving Permit, obtaining one is strongly advised. It acts as a safeguard against potential misunderstandings with authorities and ensures compliance with any specific rental company or insurance terms. For the minimal expense, it provides considerable peace of mind for your trip in the Sunshine State. Always check your car rental company’s specific requirements before you travel.

The information contained in this article is correct as of the date published.

International Driving Permit is essentially an official translation of your licence into multiple languages. In the event of a traffic stop, accident, or other interaction with the Florida Highway Patrol or local law enforcement, having an IDP can expedite the process and prevent any language barriers or misunderstandings about the validity of your licence.

Peace of Mind: For a small fee (typically around £5.50 in the UK) and with a simple application process, an IDP offers an internationally recognised document that validates your UK licence. Many veteran travellers to the US suggest that the minimal cost is worth the assurance it provides.

Duration of Stay: While a UK licence is valid for short tourist stays, if you plan to be in the US for an extended period (typically over 3 months), an International Driving Permit for Florida or eventually a US-state licence will become necessary.

Key Documentation Checklist

Generated Using AI.

For a UK visitor hiring a car in Florida, it’s essential to have the following documents ready:

• Your full, valid UK Photocard Driving Licence. If you have an older, paper-only licence, you must carry a separate form of photographic ID, such as your passport.
• Your Passport. This is mandatory for ID.
• Credit Card (in the primary driver’s name for the rental deposit).
• Booking Confirmation/Voucher.
• International Driving Permit (IDP) – Highly Recommended.

How to Get an International Drivers Permit

If you decide to obtain one, the process is straightforward. In the UK, you can get an IDP over the counter at certain shops that have Pay Point (check the UK government website for the most up-to-date information on where to buy one). You will need:

• Your full, valid UK driving licence.
• A passport-sized photo.
• The application fee.

The IDP for the USA is a 1949 Convention permit, which is typically valid for one year.

The Verdict

While a UK visitor driving in Florida is not legally required by state law to possess an International Driving Permit, it is strongly advised as a safeguard against potential misunderstandings with authorities and as a measure to comply with specific rental company or insurance terms. For the minimal cost, it offers considerable peace of mind for your road trip in the Sunshine State. Always check the specific requirements of your car rental company before you travel.

The information & prices contained in this article is correct as of the date published.

A brand new Transformers attraction is set to open at Universal Studios Orlando in Summer 2013. This new addition to one of Orlando’s best theme parks will probably be located next to the very popular Shrek 3D ride. The new Transformers attraction will use characters from the three popular films, and will without doubt appeal to guests of all ages.  Read More »