International Driving Licence (IDL)/ International Driving Permit (IDP)
The International Driver’s Permit is a United Nations-approved travel document granted to travellers travelling to foreign countries. It is an official translation of your home country’s driver’s licence. The document basically indicates that you have a valid driving licence and translates your licence paperwork into a variety of languages so that authorities abroad can verify and comprehend your driving credentials.
The paper is available in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian, as well as German, Arabic, Italian, Portuguese, and Scandinavian languages. An IDP is normally valid for one year from the date of issuing or until the driver’s licence expires, whichever comes first.
How to Apply for an International Driving License in India?
The following are the steps to apply for International Driving License (IDL) in India:
Step 1: You can visit the official website of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Step 2: You can also visit the respective RTO (Regional Transport Office) to avail yourself of the permission
Step 3: If applying through official website, fill out the forms, such as:
Form 4A: Certificate that proves that the individual is a competent rider
Form 1A: Medical fitness form for the rider
Step 4: Provide the following details as well – driving license information, residential proof, and proof of identification.
Step 5: Submit all the necessary document along with the forms required to apply for IDL
Step 6: Take the driving test to qualify for the IDL
Step 7: During the time of document submission, make a payment of Rs.1000
After successful completion of all the application procedures, you will receive IDL in four to five days.
Provide the following details, such as:
- Driving license information
- Residential proof
- Proof of identification
- Submit all the necessary document along with the forms required to apply for IDL
- Take the driving test to qualify for the IDL
- During the time of document submission, make a payment of Rs.1000
- After successful completion of all the application procedures, you will receive IDL in four to five days.
Form for International Driving Licence
Individuals who are applying for an international driving licence are required to submit a form when applying.
The form can be picked up from any RTO, and is known as the ‘Form for the Issue of International Driving Permit’, or Form 4.
The individual will have to provide personal details such as name, address, driving licence number, country the individual is travelling to etc.
Fees for International Driving Licence
The processing fee for an international driving licence is fixed at Rs. 500 per licence. The applicant will have to make the payment at the time of submitting the documents and application form.
OLD Fee for IDP – Rs. 500*
Revised fee for IDL in January – 2017 – Rs. 1000
Documents Required for International Driving Permit
The International Driving Permit requirements and eligibility are uniform across all the signatory countries. Most countries levy a small fee to issue them, which varies from country to country.
Applicants should fulfil the criteria as mentioned below:
- Should be above 18 years of age.
- Should possess a valid Driving license.
- Submit the official form issued by the concerned authority and 3 passport-sized photographs.
Indian applicants have to submit additional documentation, as mentioned below:
- Form 4
- Copy of valid driver’s license
- Copy of passport and visa
- Copy of air tickets
- Medical certificate as mentioned in the application form.
- Application fee of Rs. 500
- 5 passport sized photographs.
- Certified proof of Indian citizenship.
- Copy of address proof.
- Copy of age proof.
- Credit score
Advantages of International Driving Licence
Applying for an international driving permit/International DL is a simple process and it has a number of advantages, which are listed below:
It certifies you to drive a vehicle in a foreign country – the IDP is accepted as proof of your driving capability and the document confirms you have a valid driver’s license in your home country.
The IDP is useful if your original driver’s licence is not in the language of your destination country. This facilitates the verification of your information by authorities in those countries.
It can be used as a proof of identity document in the local language.
No additional driving tests – With an IDP, you would not be required to take any additional driving tests in the countries you are visiting.
Wide acceptance – The IDP is recognised in over 150 nations that have signed on to the agreement. Certain non-signatory nations recognise the IDP as a valid document within their borders.
Certain countries will not allow you to rent a car unless you have an IDP.
Insurance companies require an IDP to cover drivers of vehicles being driven abroad.
Renewal of International Driving Permit
As per current Indian laws, an International Driving Licence issued from India is valid for a period of one year. The licence cannot be renewed.
If the individual seeking an IDP/IDL was issued his license within 3 months of his IDP/IDL application, he will have to take the driving test for a second time.
For Indian applicants, the form can be found on the official websites of the Regional Transport Offices.
Only Indian citizens can apply for an international driver’s permit through an Indian transport authority.
Additionally, the applicant has to be submit his application form and documentation in person to the concerned regional transport authority.
The IDP/IDL will be granted licences issued by the Regional Transport Authority where the application is lodged. Those whose licences were issued in other regions or states must update the address on their licence to reflect their current location. It should be noted that there are several websites and companies that provide International Driver’ Permit documents that are issued online.
You should carefully verify the claims made by these websites, as some of them may be false. To avoid complications later, it is usually advised to apply for an IDP/IDL with your country’s official transit body or association.