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No International Driving Permit Needed Here

Sweet ride! Johnny Depp gets carted around in style on the Puerto Rico set of "The Rum Diary," in which he stars as a young newspaper reporter. That's costar Aaron Eckhart in the car with him.

Neither Depp nor Eckhart would need an International Driving Permit to take the wheel of that sweet convertible -- a US driver's license would suffice. But if they wanted to island-hop to, say, Antigua or Jamaica after shooting, an IDP would come in handy. Even if a local car rental in one of the 155 countries that accept it doesn't ask for it, it can't hurt to be covered for the price of $15 and 2 passport photos in places where an American driver's license isn't accepted.

Besides, this may be the last year it's that easy to drive around the world: The IDP was set up back in 1949 by the UN, which is expected to revisit the regulations at a road safety conference in November. (Host country Russia also accepts the IDP, but take it from us: don't drive there.)

Related Stories:
· Application for International Driving Permit [AAA.com]
· Victoria Beckham Parties At That Hot LA Club DMV [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Faded Youth Blog]

Tags: Know the Law / Driving Laws / Road Trips / → All Tags

"OMG. BRB. 5-0 Just Pulled Me Over"

This could be the last text message you send from your cell phone if you get caught in the state of California under its newest driving law. As of January 1, it's been illegal to text while behind the wheel in the state. You can't even read texts or emails while you're on the road. And no Facebook status updates or Twittering while you're driving, either.

According to the California DMV:

This new law makes it an infraction to write, send or read text-based communication on an electronic wireless communication device, such as a cell phone, while driving.

Your first offense will cost you $76, with penalties going up if you've been busted before. One thing we're not clear on: Is it illegal to text or read texts while at a stoplight? (Probably. How many idiots have you seen who either don't know the light is green or move ahead too soon because they were texting?)

California now joins New Jersey, Connecticut, Minnesota and Washington, along with Washington, DC, in banning texting while driving. Those places also require a hands-free device while talking on cell phones as do a few other states. And while we're at it, in the state of California you can't smoke in your car if there are children under 18 riding with you. Louisiana and Arkansas also have similar laws.

Some places where you can talk on your phone and drive with one hand without the fear of the law on your tail? Hawaii, Nevada, Wisconsin and Wyoming. There are a few others too, so if you plan on visiting all 50 US states this year, consult this mega-list of state laws concerning cell phones before backing out of your driveway.