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As per international norms, travellers need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to legally drive in other countries.
In several states, authorities now also ask for proof of foreign travel, such as a passport, visa and confirmed air tickets. (AI Image)
If you are planning a foreign trip and intend to drive while overseas, your Driving License (DL) alone will not be sufficient. As per international norms, travellers need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to legally drive in other countries. But how does one obtain it and what documents are required? Here is a simple guide to the process.
Applying for an IDP can now be done from the comfort of your home through the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways‘ Parivahan portal at www.parivahan.gov.in. The permit allows Indian citizens to drive abroad under the 1949 Geneva Convention or the 1968 Vienna Convention. Essentially, an IDP serves as a multilingual translation of your Indian driving licence and is generally valid for one year from the date of issue.
Who Can Apply?
The eligibility criteria for obtaining an IDP are straightforward. Applicants must hold a valid Indian driving licence that has been active for at least a few months. The minimum age requirement is 18 years, and the applicant must be a resident of India. In several states, authorities now also ask for proof of foreign travel, such as a passport, visa and confirmed air tickets.
Applicants are required to submit their original driving licence along with a photocopy, copies of the passport (first and last pages), a visa copy where applicable, and proof of travel such as confirmed tickets. Form 4A, which is the application form for an IDP, must be filled out. In some states, a medical certificate in Form 1A is also required, along with four to six recent passport-sized photographs.
Online Application Process
The Ministry of Transport has been pushing for a digital and faceless system for IDP applications. In many states, the entire process can now be completed from home through the Sarathi portal.
Applicants need to visit sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select their respective state. Under driving licence-related services, they should choose the option for “Apply for International Driving Permit” or “Issue International Driving Permit”. After filling out Form 4A with details such as DL number, name, date of birth and address, the required documents must be uploaded, including the driving licence, passport, photograph, visa and travel proof.
The application fee of Rs 1,000 can be paid online using UPI, debit or credit card, or net banking. In certain cases, Aadhaar authentication may be required, or an RTO slot may need to be booked for verification. Once the process is completed and verified, the IDP is typically delivered to the applicant’s address within 3-7 working days.
Points To Remember
Travellers should note that the IDP is not valid on its own. The original Indian driving licence must always be carried alongside it. Validity and acceptance rules may vary from country to country, so it is advisable to check local regulations before travelling. Authorities also caution applicants to use only official government portals for the process and to stay alert against fraudulent agents offering quick services.
February 10, 2026, 20:26 IST
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