International Driving Permit (IDP) from India - How to Apply, Where Valid

Planning to drive abroad? An IDP from your nearest RTO costs ₹1,000, takes a day, and lets you legally drive in 186+ countries. Here's everything you need to know.

May 20265 min read

Key Takeaways

1An IDP is not a standalone licence - it must always be carried with your valid Indian DL.
2Apply at any RTO (not just your issuing RTO). Fee: ₹1,000. Valid for 1 year.
3Recognised in 186+ countries under the 1949 Geneva Convention and 1968 Vienna Convention.
4NOT valid as a standalone licence in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia without following their specific visitor driving rules.
5Your Indian DL must be valid throughout the period you plan to use the IDP.

What is an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

An International Driving Permit (IDP) - also called an International Driving Licence (IDL) - is a standardised document issued by national authorities that translates your domestic driving licence details into 12 languages. It allows foreign authorities (traffic police, car rental companies) to understand your licence details without a language barrier.

India issues IDPs under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, to which India is a signatory. The IDP booklet has a blue cover, includes your photo, licence categories, and personal details in 12 UN languages, and is valid for 1 year from the date of issue.

Critically: an IDP is not a replacement for your Indian driving licence. It is a companion document. If you don't carry your original Indian DL alongside the IDP, you are technically unlicensed in the eyes of foreign authorities. Always carry both.

An IDP purchased from private websites or travel agents is NOT valid. IDPs can only be issued by the licensing authority (RTO) under the Motor Vehicles Act. Any 'online IDP service' selling you a certificate for ₹500 on the internet is fraudulent.

How to Apply for an IDP in India

You can apply for an IDP at any Regional Transport Office (RTO) in India - it does not have to be the RTO that issued your driving licence. This is a significant convenience over duplicate DL applications.

Step 1: Download and fill Form 4A (application for International Driving Permit) from the Sarathi portal or collect it at the RTO. Step 2: Gather your documents: valid Indian driving licence (original + photocopy), Aadhaar card (original + photocopy), passport (original + photocopy - required to show you travel internationally), 2 passport-size photographs (50mm x 50mm, as specified), and your travel ticket or visa (some RTOs ask for proof of upcoming travel).

Step 3: Visit the RTO during working hours (typically 10 AM to 5 PM, Mon–Sat excluding holidays). Submit the application at the DL section. Step 4: Pay the fee of ₹1,000. Step 5: In most cases, the IDP is issued on the same day or the next working day - it is a simple stamp/print process.

Form 4A - IDP application form
Valid Indian DL - original + photocopy
Aadhaar card - original + photocopy
Passport - original + photocopy
2 passport-size photographs (50mm × 50mm)
Proof of travel (ticket/visa) - required at some RTOs
Fee: ₹1,000

Where is the Indian IDP Valid?

India's IDP is issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. It is accepted in countries that are party to either the 1949 Geneva Convention or the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic - covering 186+ countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Countries where Indian IDP works well: most of Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands, and others), UAE, Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, New Zealand, and most of Latin America.

Countries where the Indian IDP situation is more nuanced: United States (most US states accept an Indian IDP + Indian DL for foreign visitors, but rules vary by state), United Kingdom (the UK is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention - India's IDP based on the 1949 Geneva Convention may not be sufficient in all situations; check with the DVLA before travel), Australia and Canada (similar nuance - visitors can generally drive with their Indian DL + IDP for a limited period, but rules vary by province/territory).

For car rentals abroad, always carry both your IDP and your original Indian DL. Most international rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise) accept the IDP + Indian DL combination. Some may also ask for an international credit card for the security deposit.

IDP Validity and Renewal

An Indian IDP is valid for exactly 1 year from the date of issue. It cannot be renewed - when it expires, you must apply for a new one (same process, same fee). There is no 'renewal' process for IDPs.

Your Indian DL must be valid for the entire duration you intend to drive abroad. If your Indian DL expires while you are travelling, the IDP also becomes effectively invalid - an expired underlying licence means the IDP has no basis. Check your DL expiry before applying for an IDP.

There is no restriction on how many times you can apply for an IDP - you can get a new one each year if you travel regularly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not checking the specific country's rules: While the IDP is broadly accepted, each country has specific rules about how long a foreign visitor can drive before needing a local licence. In most countries this is 3–12 months; after that you may need to convert your licence to a local one.

Leaving the Indian DL at home: The IDP is only valid when presented together with the Indian DL. Several Indian travellers have been fined abroad for presenting only the IDP.

Applying too early or too late: Apply for the IDP no more than 3 months before your planned travel date (to ensure the 1-year validity covers your trip) and allow at least 2–3 days buffer before travel in case of RTO delays.