International Driving Licence in India | Application Procedure

An Indian citizen planning to travel abroad and drive a car or motorbike in a foreign country can obtain an International Driving Licence or International Driving Permit from the local RTO office. International Driving License is a translated copy of the original driver’s Licence that is issued by State transport licensing authority in India. In all States of India, International Driving License is issued by the concerned RTO office or Motor Vehicle Department.

With an international driver’s Licence, an Indian can rent/drive vehicles when they are visiting foreign country. All foreign nationals visiting our country are also requested to apply for this licence. A foreigner with a valid International driving licence can drive in India during their stay here. In this article, we look at the procedure for obtaining International Driving Licence in India.

Advantages of International Driving Licence

International Driving Licence have many advantages, which are listed below:

• International driving licence can be used as a proof of identity documents in many countries.
• International Driving Licence is a proof that a person has a valid driver’s licence in the country in which it was issues. It also certifies that he/she can drive in a foreign country.
• Multiple languages printed in International Driving Licence make it very useful for other country authorities to verify the holders information.
• International Driving Licence can help Indians rent a car and drive in foreign country.

International Driving Licence is printed in various languages including English, Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, Scandinavian languages and others.

International Driving Licence Validity

Over 150 countries in the world accept the International Driving Licence and allow Indians to rent and drive vehicles in their country.

International Driving Licence will be valid for a period of one year from the date of issue, as the case may be, or till the validity of the driving licence, whichever is earlier. Both the International Driving Licence and a valid India driving license would be required to drive abroad. International Driving Licence issued in India cannot be renewed, a new application is required.

International Driving Licence Application

International Driving Permit can be issued to a person who holds a valid Indian Licence and valid Indian Passport. The fee for an international driving licence in most States is fixed at Rs. 1000 per licence and also Rs.200 to be paid as processing fee. The applicant will have to make the payment at the time of submitting the documents and application form. A sample application form for international driving license is reproduced below:

International Driving Licence – Document Required

The below required documents are to be submitted to RTO to get International Driving Licence.

• Valid driving Licence & its copies.
• Recent pass port size photographs – 3 Nos.
• Valid proof such as Passport & its copies
• Proof of Visa  and its copies
• Copy of Air ticket for verification
• Receipt for payment of fees
• An application for IDL in Form – 4A
• Medical certificate in Form 1A

Procedure to Apply for International Driving Licence Online

The Kerala Government has made the application process for International Driving Licence online. You can follow the steps below to prepare the application. However, the application must be submitted in person to the concerned RTO office. In most states, the applicant would have to appear at the RTO office for issue of International Driving Licence.

Step 1: For apply online visit ITCA official website.

Step 2: Select the RTO name for which the application is to be filed.

Step 3: Enter your licence number in the given boxes correctly

Step 4: Select the date of birth or enter in the format ‘dd/mm/yyyy’

Step 5: Click on the ‘GO’ Button

Your Licence details will be displayed. If any serious mistakes other than spelling mistakes is found or your Licence details is not displayed you should contact the concerned RT/Sub RT Office immediately for correction.

Step 6: Click Next Button

Step 7: Fill up additional requirements if any asked by the computer and click apply

Step 8: You will get an application Number and  take printout of full set of applications (Form 4A & Form 1A)

Step 9: Submit the printed forms with fee/epay receipt at concerned RT Office along with document mentioned above.

International Driving Licence Processing Time

The processing time to get International Driving Licence after submission of documents is generally 1 to 7 working days.

Countries Accepting International Driving Licence

The following countries accept International Driving Licence or International Driving Permit.

1. Afghanistan
2. Algeria
3. Angola
4. Argentina
5. Armenia
6. Australia
7. Bahamas
8. Bahrain
9. Bangladesh
10. Belarus
11. Belize
12. Benin
13. Bhutan
14. Bolivia
15. Bosnia
16. Botswana
17. Brunei
18. Bulgaria
19. Burkina Faso
20. Cameroon
21. Canada
22. Cape Verde
23. Central African Republic
24. Chad
25. Chile
26. Colombia
27. Comoros
28. Congo (Democratic Republic of)
29. Congo (Republic of)
30. Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
31. Czech Republic
32. Djibouti
33. Dominica
34. Dominican Republic
35. Egypt
36. El Salvador
37. Equatorial Guinea
38. Eritrea
39. Ethiopia
40. Gabon
41. Gambia
42. Georgia
43. Ghana
44. Guadeloupe
45. Guam
46. Guatemala
47. Guinea Bissau
48. Guinea Republic
49. Guyana
50. Haiti
51. Honduras
52. Hong Kong
53. Hungary
54. Iceland
55. India
56. Indonesia
57. Iran
58. Israel
59. Italy
60. Japan
61. Jordan
62. Kazakhstan
63. Kenya
64. Kiribati
65. Korea (South)
66. Kuwait
67. Laos
68. Lebanon
69. Lesotho
70. Liberia
71. Libya
72. Macao (Macau)
73. Macedonia
74. Madagascar
75. Malawi
76. Malaysia
77. Mali
78. Mauritania
79. Mauritius
80. Mexico
81. Montenegro
82. Mozambique
83. Myanmar (Burma)
84. Namibia
85. Nepal
86. New Caledonia
87. Nicaragua
88. Niger
89. Nigeria
90. Oman
91. Pakistan
92. Panama
93. Papua New Guinea
94. Paraguay
95. Philippines
96. Portugal
97. Qatar
98. Reunion
99. Russian Federation
100. Rwanda
101. Sabah (Malaysia)
102. Sao Tome and Principe
103. Saudi Arabia
104. Senegal
105. Serbia
106. Seychelles
107. Sierra Leone
108. Singapore
109. South Africa
110. Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles)
111. Sri Lanka
112. St. Lucia
113. St. Vincent
114. Sudan
115. Surinam
116. Swaziland
117. Syria
118. Taiwan
119. Tanzania
120. Thailand
121. Togo
122. Trinidad & Tobago
123. Tunisia
124. Turkey
125. Uganda
126. Ukraine
127. United Arab Emirates
128. USA
129. Yemen
130. Zambia
131. Zimbabwe