Planning to drive abroad? An International Driving Permit from any RTO in India costs ₹1,000, is usually issued within a day, and is recognised in 186+ countries under the 1949 Geneva Convention. It is a companion document, not a standalone licence - your valid Indian DL must always travel with it. Here is the application process, documents and country rules.
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An IDP (also called an International Driving Licence) is a standardised booklet that translates your Indian driving licence details into 12 UN languages so foreign police and car rental companies can read them. India issues IDPs under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. The permit is valid for 1 year from issue and is only meaningful alongside your original Indian DL - presenting the IDP alone makes you effectively unlicensed abroad. Beware: IDPs sold by private websites or travel agents are not valid; only the RTO can issue one under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Unlike a duplicate DL, an IDP application can be made at any RTO in India, not just the one that issued your licence. Fill Form 4A (from the Sarathi portal or the RTO), gather your documents, visit during working hours, submit at the DL section and pay ₹1,000. In most cases the IDP is issued the same day or the next working day. Locate a convenient office with our RTO search.
The IDP is accepted in 186+ countries party to the 1949 Geneva Convention or the 1968 Vienna Convention - including most of Europe, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, South Africa and New Zealand. For the USA, UK, Canada and Australia the position is more nuanced: short-term visitors can generally drive with the Indian DL plus IDP, but rules vary by state or province, so confirm with the local licensing authority before travel. Most international rental companies accept the IDP plus Indian DL combination.
The IDP is valid for exactly 1 year and cannot be renewed - when it expires you apply afresh with the same process and fee. Your underlying Indian DL must remain valid for the entire trip; if it expires abroad, the IDP loses its basis, so check your DL expiry first and renew if needed via our DL renewal guide. Apply no more than about 3 months before travel so the 1-year validity covers your trip, always carry both documents, and remember each country limits how long visitors may drive before needing a local licence. For the basics, see the complete driving licence guide.
Yes. Unlike a duplicate DL, which must be processed by your issuing RTO, an IDP application can be made at any RTO in the country. Choose the most convenient one near you.
Generally yes for short-term visits - most US states accept a foreign IDP plus the home-country licence for tourists, and the US is party to the 1949 Geneva Convention. Long-term residents must obtain a local state licence, typically within 30-90 days. Confirm with the specific state's DMV before travel.
The IDP becomes invalid on expiry and cannot be renewed remotely. In many countries you may still be able to drive on your Indian DL alone for a limited period, but the translation and protection of the IDP is gone. Apply for a fresh IDP before your trip or before the old one lapses.
The IDP mirrors the categories on your Indian DL. If your DL covers LMV (car), the IDP covers that; if you only have a two-wheeler endorsement, the IDP covers only two-wheelers. Nothing extra is added.
It depends on the country and rental company. In the UAE and much of Southeast Asia, an English-language Indian DL is often accepted directly. In countries like France, Germany, Japan and Italy, rental companies almost always require an IDP as well. At ₹1,000 from any RTO, getting one before travel removes the risk.