What is International driving Permit and How To Apply In India

Things to Know

An international driving permit (IDP), also referred to as an international driving license (IDL), is a valid, legal identity document that allows the holder to drive a private motor Vehicle in Foreign Country which recognizes the document. To be valid, the international driving permit must be accompanied by a valid driving license issued in the applicant's country of residence. It will help you in an accident situation and claim the insurance. Nowadays it is a very easy process to apply for an international driving permit in India.

Step 1 - The application has to visit the Ministry Of Road Transport and Highways Government of India website Select “Apply Online” on the left side menu. and select “Services on Driving Licence”. On clicking the link it will take you to the Instructions page you read the instructions and click “Continue”. next, it will take you to a page which asks for your Driving license (DL) Number ENTER your DL number (enter complete DL number mostly it will be Alpha Numeric) and Date Of Birth (DOB) and "select GO" it will show your DL details and ask you to fill the remaining form.

Step 2 - Fill up the online application form. it has 4 sub-steps so totally you are filling 5 pages of the online application form.

Step 3 - Uploading the documents - visa, passport (first & last page of current passport) & driving license for which IDP is needed, scan/photo needs to be uploaded. They have allowed 1MB each file size to be uploaded. (if your documents size crosses 1Mb size then you should reduce using online tools or Ms. Paint.)

Step 4 - Uploading of applicants photo & signature. you have to sign on a piece of paper and then scan/photo upload it. They have allowed only 10Kb to 20Kb each file size to be uploaded. Getting the photo to less than 20kb & ONLY in jpeg, most painful one.

Step 5 - Make the payment you can use your Debit Card or Credit Card or Net banking to pay online. it's not necessary to pay online. If you just fill your application online & take details to RTO, you can pay by cash at the counter. don't forget to note the application numbers. which will display when you fill the details. This is the reference number to be used just in case you are not able to make online payment & follow-up for it off-line. if you have done your payment online don't forget to download & printout the challan (receipt) which you get after making an online payment.

Step 6 - After you are done making all the payments it's time to print the application form. once you click on generating the acknowledgment the Form (application form) will get saved in PDFs formate. take the printout of the acknowledgments.

Steps 7 - Take a photocopy of 1) original passport 2) Original Driving License 3) valid Visa 4) airline ticket 5) medical certificate form 1A by government doctor (they will refuse to accept a private doctor's certificate). 6) 2 color passport size photos, taken in the last 6 months. 7) application Form 8) Payment challan if you made payment online. visit the RTO in person and submit all the above documents. * Make sure all your details therein your Driving license will match with the details of Passport (including DOB. Adress. Sirname, Etc.) or else they will as you to submit an affidavit. (You will get the ready template available with some of the notary agents).

Steps 8 - Once all the paperwork along with the forms, fees paid challans, Photos have to be submitted they will verify and take Your photograph, signature, and hand biometrics electronically. after all this process you will get your international driving permit (IDP) or international driving license (IDL) to your registered address (as per DL) in Speed Post between 7 to 15 Working days.

PLEASE NOTE: The online facility of application submission, upload documents, payment of fees, slot booking, etc., does not complete the process of the issue of Driving Licence or any other Service requested. The applicant has to compulsorily visit the concerned Road Transport Office to finish the process of the issue of Driving Licence and/or any other associated services. it will require your physical presence in RTO for at-least 3–4 hours.