If you love to travel on your own like me. Then the opportunity of driving on International roads are something not to miss. Just rent your vehicle from a local renting shop near you. Yes, it’s that easy similarly like in India. But make sure the insurance of the vehicle is up to date, as safety comes first. And most importantly carry your International Driving Permit.
Probably now you are planning for a holiday abroad. And looking to explore on your own by hiring a vehicle? Worried as you don’t have an International Driving Permit (IDP). Don’t worry getting International Driving Permit is very easy similar to cracking a nut. You just need to know the right process.
There are several countries where we can simply drive with an Indian Driving License in addition to the IDP issued by the RTO. As most of the people will have an Indian Driving License (DL), and getting the International driving License is a hassle-free job now a days.
List of countries in which Indian Driving License is valid.
| The United States of America | Germany | Australia |
| France | South Africa | The United Kingdom |
| New Zealand | Switzerland | Mauritius |
| Norway | Italy | Canada |
| Austria | Malta | Hong Kong |
| Malaysia | Iceland | Finland |
| Singapore | Ireland | Sweden |
Hence, in above-mentioned countries, you can ride with a valid Indian Driving License for 6 to 12 months. Therefore no IDP is needed. (depending on countries please check for validity while making your plans).
So here is the list of the countries you can ride with Indian Driving License. In addition, with an International Driving Permit.
| Afghanistan | Algeria | Angola | Argentina |
| Armenia | Bahamas | Bahrain | Bangladesh |
| Belarus | Belize | Benin | Bhutan |
| Bolivia | Bosnia | Botswana | Brunei |
| Bulgaria | Burkina Faso | Cameroon | Cape Verde |
| Central African Republic | Chad | Chile | Colombia |
| Comoros | Congo | Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) | Czech Republic |
| Djibouti | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Egypt |
| El Salvador | Equatorial Guinea | Eritrea | Ethiopia |
| Gabon | Gambia | Georgia | Ghana |
| Guadeloupe | Guam | Guatemala | Guinea Bissau |
| Guinea Republic | Guyana | Haiti | Honduras |
| Hungary | Indonesia | Iran | Israel |
| Japan | Jordan | Kazakhstan | Kenya |
| Kiribati | Korea (South) | Kuwait | Laos |
| Lebanon | Lesotho | Liberia | Libya |
| Macao (Macau) | Macedonia | Madagascar | Malawi |
| Malaysia | Mali | Mauritania | Mexico |
| Montenegro | Mozambique | Myanmar (Burma) | Namibia |
| Nepal | New Caledonia | Nicaragua | Niger |
| Nigeria | Oman | Pakistan | Panama |
| Papua New Guinea | Paraguay | Philippines | Portugal |
| Qatar | Reunion | Russian Federation | Rwanda |
| Sabah (Malaysia) | Sao Tome and Principe | Saudi Arabia | Senegal |
| Serbia | Seychelles | Sierra Leone | Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles) |
| Sri Lanka | St. Lucia | St. Vincent | Sudan |
| Surinam | Syria | Taiwan | Tanzania |
| Thailand | Togo | Trinidad & Tobago | Tunisia |
| Turkey | Uganda | Ukraine | Yemen |
| Zambia | Zimbabwe |
So below mentioned are the documents required for applying for International Driving Licenses
- Pan Card copy. (only for verification)
- Click here to download the official website announcement of Visa on Arrival countries. (only for verification)
- Indian Driving License. (only for verification)
- Adhaar Card Copy. (for verification and applying online)
- Air tickets and with the return journey. (for verification and applying online)
- Passport copy. (for verification and applying online)
- Form 4A – Application for Issue of International Driving Permit to Drive a Motor Vehicle in Other Countries. Click here to download the form and fill it up. (for verification and applying online)
- Form 1 – Application cum Declaration as to Physical Fitness. Click here to download the form and fill it up. (for verification and applying online)
- Form 1A – Medical Certificate. Click here to download the form and fill it up and get it signed by a Government hospital doctor. (for verification and applying online)
- 2 Copy of Passport size photographs. (3.5cm X 4.5cm on white background)
- International Driving License Permit Fee of INR 1000/- (Increased from INR 500/-)
The process to get an International Driving Permit from India?
The application is made online by Sarathi Service. Visit parivahan.gov.in to apply for IDP, Firstly, select online services & choose Driving License related services from the drop-down. Secondly, select your state and click on apply online. Thirdly, choose services on driving license and proceed to the next page. Fill all the details and hit continue.
“Most importantly your address mentioned on your passport and driving license should be same otherwise you can face issues. However, It’s not a big deal in making the corrections.”
Your online process is over after finishing the process of payment page. However, if you’re getting an error on the payment page, visit your RTO contact someone in the IT team. Give them your application number which you have received through SMS and they will cancel the payment. Now you have to make the payment in the counter. Maybe this is a common issue faced by most of the user. Now, wait in the line for the verification of your papers. Finally after finishing all these wait for 7 working days. Visit RTO for collection of IDP from the same counter where you have given the final verified file.
“Also note in the VISA field for Visa on arrival countries you just have to fill up any number and processed further. In other words, as it’s a mandatory field which it shouldn’t be.”
Now that you’ve got the license to ride. The IDP is valid for a period of one year from the date of issue or until your Indian driver’s license expires, whichever is earlier. And you know the countries where Indian driving license is valid with an IDP, how about the money to pay for petrol/gas. By money, I mean the currency of the country you’re going to visit. Well, you can get a better rate in Thomas Cook if you bargain. However, you can get a fixed rate from the Oriental Bank.
Finally
- Carry your original and valid Indian driving licence and passport along with your IDP.
- Valid visa!
- Pack responsibly, don’t over pack.
- Carry your own GPS.
- Do some research before opting for any vehicle rental.
- Most importantly you will be only able to hire type vehicles if you have permission to drive as per your Indian driving licence.
- Usually, cars in abroad have automatic gears. So, make sure you are renting something in which are comfortable with.
- Check for the insurance.
Excited? So brush up your skills and prepare for the road trip you have been already dreaming off! Ride safe – Godspeed
(nope we are not getting paid for tagging others in my blog. It’s just helping another fellow traveller to get complete information.)
Research to get an International Driving Permit
- Forum: TripAdvisor | Quora | Wikipedia
- Blog: Bookmyforex | Western India Automobile Association
8 Comments
Very informative….keep posting!!😇✌
Thanks Arnab. Sure I will keep posting information that will help others.
Very important information for Indians travelling abroad and those who are migrating too. I needed this info very much when I was travelling to US, was so much confused initially. You are doing a good job.
Thanks Kuntala. I also struggled so much to get an International permit while travelling to Thailand. Whereas the process is very simple if someone is having all the information. So thought of sharing the same with others. 🙂
very useful post! It can be very frustraiting not being able to drive a car during the trips and it’s totally easy to fail to check
So damn true Lyosha. People who love to travel on there own without the restriction of time for them this is useful information. As I also faced this issue so thought of writing this down. 🙂
It’s always important to be well insured if you are driving a vehicle and especially when you are not in your own country 🙂
That’s true Renata Feyen. But that too depends on the country to country.