Going on a road trip in New Zealand or driving through the Atlas Mountain Road in Morocco can become a reality if you receive an International Driving Permit before you go on your vacation. Driving is possible in different countries, but it requires a permit along with your original driving license from your home country. It is basically the official translation of your Indian driver’s license that authorises you to drive in different countries with the validity of one year. If you are someone wanting to know about IDP, you are at the right place. We will walk you through everything from top to bottom about international license India.

What is an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official document that lets you drive in various countries, which actually is the translation of your driving license. That doesn’t mean you just carry your IDP with you. An IDP is only valid when it is combined with your original driving license from your home country. It is applied for and received from the RTO office in India. The validity of this permit is one year, but if your license expires before it, it might not be valid anymore. Over 150 countries accept international driving license India that have mutual agreements with the issuing authority.

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Countries that Accept International Driving Permits (IDP)

If you receive an International Driving Permit in India, you can use it in plenty of countries to drive and explore the places on your own. Are you curious about countries that accept IDP? Here you go. You also have to keep in mind to check the specific entry requirements for the country you’re visiting.

Region	Countries Accepting IDP from India
North America	United States, Canada, Mexico
Europe	United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands, Greece, Sweden
Asia	Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, China
Oceania	Australia, New Zealand, Fiji
Africa	South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, Tanzania
South America	Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia
Middle East	Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain
Caribbean	Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago

Who Can Apply for an International Driving Permit in India?

Like any other official document, the International Driving Permit has an eligibility criteria to be satisfied. Find below a few mandatory requirements to apply for the IDP license India.

The minimum age to apply for an IDP is 18 years.
The applicant must already have an Indian driving license.
If you have a license for a car, you will only be able to drive a car with this permit. The type of license you hold must match the type of vehicle you intend to drive internationally.
Only Indian citizens are allowed to apply for IDP.
A medical certificate for fitness might be required for people above 50 years of age.

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Documents Required to Apply for an IDP in India

The first step to apply for the IDP is to collect the necessary documents and keep them handy. You can find the list of all the required documents here.

Valid Indian driving license
Passport-sized photographs in specified size
Proof of address (Aadhar card, utility bill, bank statement)
Valid passport (if required)
Filled in application form (Form 4A)
Medical certificate (for applicants over a certain age, if applicable)
Fee payment receipt

How to Apply for an International Driving Permit in India?

There are two ways to apply for an International Driving Permit in India. You can either apply online with soft copies of the required documents or go in person to the RTO and submit the application in person. We will guide you step by step for both.

Online Application

To apply online, follow these step-by-step procedures, which are hassle-free and easy compared to the in-person application.

Step – 1: Gather all the documents that are mentioned as mandatory and keep them handy.
Step – 2: Open the website of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) or the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and download the application form.
Step – 3: Carefully fill out the Form 4A for IDP, including the personal details and vehicle category information.
Step – 4: Upload the scanned copies of the mentioned documents and pay the application fee. Submit the fee receipt, application form, and uploaded documents together.
Step – 5: After 1-7 working days, you will receive the permit through the mail or be asked to collect it at the RTO.

Offline Application

You can visit the RTO in your region and apply for the International Driving Permit in person. It is a simple and straightforward process.

Step – 1: Gather all the physical copies of the mentioned documents and carry them with you to the Regional Transport Office (RTO).
Step – 2: Get the Form 4A and fill out the personal and vehicle details carefully.
Step – 3: Submit all the documents along with the form and make the payment.
Step – 4: Wait for 1-7 working days to receive your permit from the RTO.

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Obtaining an international driving licence in India has many advantages. You don’t have to depend on public transport or cabs to get to the places you wish to visit. Driving can be more enjoyable as it has flexibility and lets you explore at your own pace. Road trips are a beautiful way to see the beauty of the destination that might not be possible through other forms of transportation. Getting an IDP and driving in another country will definitely give you unbelievable experiences. Ready to hit the road? Apply for your International Driving Permit now and drive legally in your dream country.