International Driving Permit

[fulltitle]

Originally Posted by Shoonra

To add to that, I do not believe that an IDP could be used as collateral to post bond on a traffic arrest (assuming some countries allow bonding out). There's no way the arresting authority could turn it into cash, it's possession is not necessary for driving, and it can be replaced by the driver if lost. I would imagine that almost any savvy traffic authority in the world knows that it costs Americans a mere $15.

Quite the contrary, the presence of an IDP demonstrates a definite flight risk, certainly when carried inside the US by an American driver (and very certainly if the IDP doesn't match his true identity).

Without Prejudice.
Hah are you admitting something Shoonra? Have you been holding back on us? What exactly do you mean by 'flight risk'? You seem to express worry over the notion of a U.S. citizen leaving the United States to quite an extreme--I mean why would you say 'flight risk' unless there is something you know or some perspective that you hold that you arent letting us on to.

"Flight risk.." hmm.

[Shoonra]

I would think that someone with your jailhouse experience would know that being "a flight risk" is a definite factor in gazumping up the size of the bail bond or denying bail altogether.

[fulltitle]

Originally Posted by Shoonra

I would think that someone with your jailhouse experience would know that being "a flight risk" is a definite factor in gazumping up the size of the bail bond or denying bail altogether.

Without Prejudice.
My experience visiting people in jail as counsel or as a friend with or without an attorney? I got the notion of someone having an IDP freely rolling down the roads not someone in jail with an IDP.

I mean you seemed to refer to a U.S. citizen or an American who was freely traveling and having an IDP as a 'flight risk'. How would that be a 'flight risk' --I mean unless you are admitting to them being prisoners without knowing it? And by bond are you referring to maybe a birth certificate bond in analogy to a jailhouse bail bond? Interesting.

[farmer_giles_of_ham]

OK, you all out there, relax now.

Anyway, what I meant was that by handing over the IDP it was an easy way of establishing identity, since it inluces a pic, name, addess, status, age, description- ust about eveything anyone might want to 'ROR' out of custody. Its not collateral in the sense of depoisting in the bank, it acredits identity. It has been customary sometimes to retain ones driver license as, yes, collateral, that is the word, in lieu of cash or whatever. I read about that custom in a statement of policy contained in the ILLINOIS statute concernng the DRIVER COMPACT, look it up. Thats listed as one of the reasons for the compact, so as to avoid this awkward situation.

Yes, as stated in the original post and confirmed by the IDAHO DOT the IDL is only based on an existing valid permit from the home state or country. At least in PA but I would think generally there is the provision that when a driver resides in 2 or more states he shall declare one for 'driving purpose' as the 'state of residence' ie- drive under one flag at a time. Unless you want to say I am driving under NO flag, I am resident somewhere somehow. Everyone is entitled to recognition of their legal status and residence is a mater of declaration. Anyway, smartypants, what state am I resident in? Do I posses a valid permit under the laws of that state? The intl convention clearly contemplates that a driver may come from a state or country where no 'domestic permit is required, or does not conform to the intl model'...and yet is still entitled to the benefits of this convention. Go Figure.

If I cant be a private freeholder then I reside in Upper Volta for driving purpose. Prove otherwise.

[David Merrill]

P.S. We have Shoonra compounding her admission with a distraction. But should you be having any doubts about my assertion that the card itself, or one's desire for it can behave like a PR Bond, then consider that you cannot enter certain government buildings or board most airliners without a "Government-Issued ID Card".

The other day I was in a Copy Shop and a soldier inquired about passport photos for his passport. I suggested he wanted to spend the $18 on lunch for his family, stood him against the white wall for the shot, transferred the image to his keychain DataStick with instructions how to work the new Photo ID feature at the Wolf Camera self-service kiosk (.38 cents). The point being, even though he was in the service, he had to send his FRNs out of his own stipend should he want the state department to issue him their passport.

At one point I pulled out my wallet and he was curious about my World Passport. I told him since the US owned his body and family estate anyway, he should have no objection to paying for a US-owned passport too. He agreed.

[farmer_giles_of_ham]

Maybe the IDP issue is a distraction, because the convention is law binding on the contracting states anyway. The int'l convention is just a matter of harmonizing the existing rules and the principle of reciprocity. Which states are authorized to validate permission to drive? A private freehold? Is there any regulation on this? I have one basic right, if not 'to drive', then to fly the flag of residence.

Many of the United States specifically mention the concept of reciprocity in honoring foreign instruments and status; if the convention were to dissappear tomorrow the state vehicle codes would still remain. I can always claim due license under the laws of a foreign state and its up to some challenger to controvert that. Instead of argueing the 'right-to-drive' in THIS state, argue it for another state. Its actually true, in much of the world the driving permit is a car key. The only thing many places are concerned with is that the car is someones responsibility, who owns it, etc. For example, there is now a type of motor vehicle that only reaches speeds of 35 mph, in Europe, its small, and no special license is needed, and anyone competent over 14 can use one. So clearly there are many variations on this and its virtually impossible to prove the lack of license in a foreign state.