The state of Florida on April 2 officially repealed a law that made it mandatory for international drivers to carry an International Driving Permit.

The law had quietly gone into effect on Jan. 1 and immediately received blowback from various associations and travel-related companies. Then in February, the Florida Highway Patrol (FPH) announced that it would not enforce the law, citing that it violated the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.

The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) released a statement since the law was repealed by the Florida Legislature, saying that it is pleased with the Legislature's decision. "The repeal comes after interventions from CAA, other stakeholders and thousands of Canadian drivers caught unaware by the IDP law, which came into effect with no notice," the CAA said.

While the FHP said it wouldn't enforce the law, the CAA said it had been unclear if all law enforcement would follow suit, and that some Canadians were refused car rentals. And for those that did get a car rental without an IDP, the CAA and international travelers feared that insurance companies would refuse to honor policies in the event of an accident, since it would have been within their right.

Rosie Sanderson, head of AA International Travel said to The Telegraph, "It was an ill-considered piece of legislation that was primarily aimed at holders of foreign language driving licences and it caused considerable confusion within the lucrative fly-drive market in Florida."

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