Are you planning a road trip abroad? If so, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is a translation of your valid driver’s license into several languages, making it valid in over 150 countries. Thus you should know about process for International Driving License, required documents, and fees for IDP in India.
International Driving Licence
The International Driving licence is a document that allows traveler’s to drive vehicle in a country other than their home country. The International Driving Licence (IDP) is like a golden ticket! It’s a special document that tells everyone in a foreign country that you’re a legit, licensed driver.
An IDP translates your license into different languages; it is not a laminated free-for-all to drive all over the globe. Since the permit is not a license to drive in itself, you will need to carry your own, domestic driver’s license wherever you go.
Need for International Driving Permit
Firstly those probing to drive abroad should apply for an International Driver’s Permit or International Driving license. The International Driver’s Permit is an official travel document that is permitted by the United Nations as per Geneva convention 1949 and issued to tourists traveling to foreign countries.
Apart from this, there are many other advantages to having an international driving license that make it a necessity to hold while traveling to other countries.
- Drive and rent a car on foreign roads
- It can also help as a person’s identity proof
- No additional driving tests are required in abroad.
- A person can visit around 150 countries with an International Driving permit .
- A person can claim insurance for an accident in Abroad if he/ she possess an International driving licence .
- Communication becomes easier with foreigner authorities.
Eligibility for International Driving Licence
Any Indian citizen holding a valid driving license and passport can apply for an international driving licence. Licensing authority reserves the rights to reject applications if the applicant fails to produce necessary documents as per stipulated rules.
The criteria is well explained in the following points:
- An applicant must be 18 years of age or above and must hold a valid domestic driving licence in India.
- The applicant must possess a valid Visa.
- Make sure your address on the passport and driving license must be same as per the location mentioned in the application.
Where can I apply for IDP ?
You have to apply for an international driving permit in India at the respective RTO within whose jurisdiction you reside or for which you have an Indian driving license. Actually, you need to apply online through Parivahan for IDP, and then after that, you need to visit RTO for verification.
There is no need to visit RTO in the states that provide contactless service for international driving permits in India. Thus, there is a complete online process for IDP at RTOs in such states.
How to apply for IDP with Itzeazy?
- Book order at Itzeazy for IDP
- Share details about the requirements
- Advance payment of fees
- Upload documents for verification
- Document pick-up
- Processing at RTO
- Work completion
Categories of international driving permit
As per the 1949 convention, categories for which international driving permit is valid.
| Category type | Description |
| A | Motor cycles (L1 and L2), with or without a side-car, invalid carriages and three-wheeled motor vehicles with weight not exceeding 400 kg |
| B | Motor vehicles with permissible maximum weight not exceeding 3500 kg (7700 lb) and not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat in Category M1 |
| C | Motor vehicles used for the carriage of goods with permissible exceeds maximum weight 3500 kg (7700 lb) |
| D | Passengers vehicles having more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat |
| E | Motor vehicles of category B, C, or D, as authorized above, with other than light trailer. |
Where:
L1: Motorcycle with maximum speed not exceeding 45 km/h and engine capacity not exceeding 50cc
L2: Motor cycles other than L1
M1: Motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver seat
Fees for International driving license
You have to pay Rs 1000/- fees for getting International driving licence in India. You can pay IDP application fees online while applying.
Validity of International Driving License
The validity of International Driving Licence India is 1 year from the date of issuance or up to the domestic licence expires, whichever comes earlier.
Documents required for International Driving Permit
Applicants should be above 18 years of age and should possess a valid Driving license. The following additional documents need to submit along with the official form issued by the concerned authority :
- Form 4-A
- Proof copy of valid driver’s license
- Passport and visa copy
- Copy of Air travel tickets
- Form 1 A Medical certificate as mentioned in the application form
- Passport sized photographs
The International Driving Licence requirements and eligibility are uniform across all the signatory countries. Most countries levy a small fee to issue them, which varies from country to country.
How to apply for international driving licence India?
In India to apply for an International driving licence one must have Indian Driving Licence . If you don’t have one , first you should apply for driving licence . To know the procedure for new driving licence
An international drivers license is issued by the RTO, from which your domestic driving license was issued. For a new address, it’s necessary to get either a new driving license from the new city or change the address on the driver’s license before applying for an international driving license.
Indians have to apply for IDP through Parivahan. the general steps involved are:
- Visit to the Parivahan
- Fill out application form
- Upload documents
- Payment of fees
- Get your application receipt
For states where it needs to visit RTO ,you have to visit repective RTO after online process for submission and verification of documents.
International Drivers Permit is denied to:
Applicant not holding a valid Indian Passport and driving license from the local issuing authority.
How does an International Drivers permit (IDP) look?
The IDP is slightly larger than a passport, and is a multi-language translation of the driver’s licence from the issuing nation with photographs and vital statistics.
International Driving Permit
Issues when moving permanently from one country to another
Most license-issuing authorities require holders of foreign licenses taking up residence in their jurisdiction to obtain a local driver’s license within a limited time, typically 6 months or 1 year. In most cases, the driver must follow the full local procedure for obtaining a licence. But some jurisdictions have mutual recognition agreements and will exchange the foreign licence for a local one without the need to undertake an additional driving test.
An exception is the EU, where licences do not need to be exchanged, since the introduction of the common EU-driver’s-licence scheme.
Which countries accept Indian International Driving Licence?
Indian International driving licence is valid in the countries that have signed the 1949 Geneva Convention. The current parties to the 1949 Geneva Convention are as below. These jurisdictions issue International Driving Permits.
According to the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic, an IDP remains valid for one year from the date of issue, with a grace period of six months.
Asia, Oceania (19) – Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Hong Kong(SAR), India, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand
Americas (15) – Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Paraguay, Peru, Republic of Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America, Venezuela
Europe (36) – Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of San Marino, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, Vatican City .
Middle East, Africa (32) – Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Israel, Jordan, Kingdom of Lesotho, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Republic of South Africa, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe
FAQs
Can we get an International Driving Permit in India?
Yes! The International Driving Permit issued by Indian RTOs is valid for all the countries in the world. You have to apply at RTO as per your current residence (not the one on your driving license or passport.)
How long does it take to get an International Drivers Licence?
International Driving Licence Processing generally takes up to two weeks.
Which forms are needed for getting an International Driving Licence?
Individuals who are applying for an international drivers licence are required to submit the 'Form for the Issue of International Driving Permit' or Form 4-A, which can be obtained from any RTO.
Can we do a renewal of the International Driving Permit?
The IDP cannot be renewed as per current Indian laws.
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