Planning an international trip and want to know whether your Indian driving licence is valid abroad? Many countries allow Indian tourists to drive for limited period using a valid Indian driving licence. The blog enlists all countries where Indian driving licence is valid for driving.
What is Indian driving licence
Indian driving licence is an official government document issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. It authorizes an individual to legally drive specific categories of motor vehicles on public roads in India. There are many countries where you can use this domestic driving licence for renting and driving car or bike.
What is the International driving licence
International Driving Permit (IDP) is a travel document that allows you to drive a motor vehicle in foreign countries legally. It is valid and acceptable by every country. IDP acts as a translation of your driving licence into multiple languages.
Which countries allow Indian driving licence
Indian driving license can also act as an international driving licence in some countries. The countries have terms and conditions for using Indian driving licence in terms of purpose, duration.
Following are the countries where Indian driving licence is valid:
America
America is the largest economy of the world. It is also the largest source of income for IT outsourcing companies. Indian IT workers move to America on HIB visa on temporary basis . America allows Indian driving licence with validity of one year. You should also carry a copy of I-94 with yourself, and you have to drive on the right side of the road.
United Kingdom
In the UK there is a large diaspora of Indian ethnicity contributing to 2.5% in their whole population. Indians travel there as an immigrant, tourist, for business purposes. In the UK, Indian driving licence is allowed for one year and you have to drive on the left-hand side of the road.
France
France has been on the top Indian bucket list for tourism.It has provided validity of one year to Indian driving license holders. In France, you have to drive on the right side of the road . You have to take copy of the license in French language.
Australia
Australia is quickly becoming one of the top travel destinations for Indians for leisure, work opportunities , or higher education. In Australia Indians mostly travel as tourists and students which is on a temporary basis.
Australian government allows Indian driving licence to drive. You have to drive on the left side of the road. North Australia allows to drive with an Indian license for only 3 months while South Part and Capital of Australia allow an Indian driving license for more than one year.
New Zealand
The neighborhood of Australia is emerging as the prime location for Indian students. Indians are allowed to drive on their road with validity for one year but driver age should be above 21 years and should carry an authorized copy of the driving license from a New Zealand transport agency . You have to drive on the left side of the road same as Australia.
You have to keep Indian driver’s licence in English, or you need to carry a certified translation provided by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
South Africa
India shares historical ties with South Africa. An Indian driving permit is allowed with a validity of one year. You have to drive on the left side of the road.
Mauritius
In the past few decades, Mauritius has become a vacation point for Indian tourist and the Mauritius government allowed an Indian driving permit for 4 weeks and you need to drive on the left side of the road.
Norway
A Scandinavian country that allows Indians to drive on their road with an Indian driving licence with valid time period of 3 months. You have to drive on the left side of the road.
Germany
Germany has become a hub of Indian goods and services export. It has recently become a lucrative spot for Indian medical students. Germany provides 6 months validity for the Indian permit holder. You have to drive on the right side of the road.
Switzerland
A European country famous for its alps mountain and heavy snow has achieved a top spot on tour list of Indian tourists. It provides the validity of one year for the Indian driving permit holder and you have to drive on the right side of the road.
Types of Driving Licence in India
International driving license Pune
FAQs
Can I use my Indian driver's licence to drive in Europe?
You may drive in Europe with an Indian driver’s licence for first few months. You require an international driving permit to drive in any place in Europe (IDP).
Can I drive with my Indian licence in the UAE?
You cannot drive in the United Arab Emirates with your Indian driver’s licence (UAE). You can drive anywhere in the UAE if you have an international Indian driving licence.
I'm a Singaporean. Can I drive there with my Indian DL?
You may drive in Singapore with your Indian driver’s licence as long as the information on it is in English. To drive your car there, though, you would need to apply for Singapore driving licence after a year.
Will my Indian driver's licence work in Japan?
You can drive in Japan if you have valid International Driving Permit (IDP).
Can I use IDP without carrying my original Indian Driving Licence?
No, IDP is valid only when carried along with your original Indian driving licence.
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