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Government Services

International Driving Permit From India: Documents and Process

Your RTO issues an International Driving Permit to holders of a valid Indian licence for ₹1,000; it is valid for up to one year.

AS

Written by Aarav Sharma

Published 5 October 2026·5 min read

On this page9 sections
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An International Driving Permit (IDP) is issued by your Regional Transport Office (RTO) if you live in India and hold a valid Indian driving licence. You apply on the Sarathi portal in Form 4A, pay ₹1,000 plus state user charges, and get a permit valid for up to one year. Carry it abroad together with your Indian licence.

Key facts

Item Detail
Issued by The licensing authority (RTO) where you live
Who can apply An Indian resident holding a valid Indian driving licence
Application form Form 4A, under Rule 14(2) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
Permit format Form 6A, standardised across India from August 2022, with a QR code linking it to your licence
Fee ₹1,000 (CMVR Rule 32), plus state user charges
Validity Up to one year from issue, or until your Indian licence expires, whichever is earlier
Treaty basis 1949 Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva)
Portal sarathi.parivahan.gov.in

What an IDP is

An IDP is a standard permit that records the details of your Indian licence in a format other countries recognise. India signed the 1949 Geneva Convention on road traffic, so it issues IDPs that other member countries accept on a reciprocal basis. The Central Motor Vehicles Rules define the permit as valid in countries that are parties to that Convention.

Until 2022, the IDP’s size, format and colour differed from state to state, and some travellers had trouble using it abroad. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) standardised the format by a notification dated 26 August 2022. The notification also added a QR code that links the permit to your driving licence.

The permit lists the vehicle categories you may drive, A to E. Categories are based on weight and seating: A covers motorcycles, B covers cars up to 3,500 kg with no more than eight passenger seats, and C and D cover heavier goods and passenger vehicles. You get only the categories your Indian licence already covers.

Your IDP does not replace the Indian licence. The permit records your licence number and its validity, so carry both. Rules on who may drive, and for how long a visitor may use an IDP, are set by each country. Check the destination country’s embassy or transport authority before you travel. The permit itself states that it stops being valid in a country once you make your normal residence there.

Eligibility

  • You hold a valid Indian driving licence for the vehicle class you want on the permit.
  • You are a resident of India. You apply to the RTO covering your residence.
  • You have a passport and, where the destination needs one, a visa.

If your licence is close to expiry, renew it first. The IDP cannot outlast your licence, so a licence expiring in three months gives you an IDP valid for only three months. Our guide to driving licence application and renewal status covers renewal.

Documents needed

Rule 14(2) of the CMVR and the Parivahan IDP page list these:

  • Form 4A (Sarathi generates it from your online application).
  • Your valid driving licence and a copy.
  • A copy of your passport.
  • A copy of your visa. Sarathi makes visa details mandatory, even for countries that give a visa on arrival, according to the Parivahan FAQ.
  • A copy of your air ticket, for verification.
  • Recent passport-size photographs.
  • A medical certificate in Form 1-A from a registered medical practitioner, which Rule 14(2) lists. Check your state’s Sarathi page for whether it asks for one.

How to apply on Parivahan Sarathi

  1. Open sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and select your state.
  2. From the Driving Licence menu, choose Services on Drivers License (Renewal/Duplicate/AEDL/Others).
  3. Enter your driving licence number and date of birth, and click Get Drivers License Details.
  4. Choose Issue of International Driving Permit from the list of services.
  5. Fill in the countries you will visit, your passport and visa details, and your travel dates.
  6. Upload the documents and your photograph, then pay the fee online.
  7. If your state asks for an RTO visit, book a slot and go on that date with originals and the fee receipt.
  8. Track the application under Application Status using your application number and date of birth.

MoRTH has listed the IDP among the services you can complete online with Aadhaar authentication, which is voluntary. In states that offer this contactless route, you may not need to visit the RTO. Otherwise, the RTO checks your documents before issuing the permit. Processing time and delivery (collection or post) are set by each state.

Fees and validity

Item Amount or rule
IDP fee (CMVR Rule 32) ₹1,000
User or service charge Set by your state; shown on the Sarathi fee screen
Maximum validity One year from the date of issue
Limit Cannot run beyond your Indian licence’s validity

For a trip after your permit expires, apply for a new one before you leave. Budget for other travel costs too; our travel money guides by country cover cash and card rules for popular destinations.

Common problems

ItemDetails
Licence details not found on Sarathiolder licences may not have been moved to the Sarathi database. The Parivahan FAQ asks you to contact your RTO with the original licence.
Heavy vehicle on the permitIDP categories go by vehicle weight, so a heavy transport class maps to category C or D, not to the Indian class name.
Staying abroad long termonce you settle in another country, the IDP stops being valid there. You will need that country’s licence.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for an international driving licence from India?

Apply for an International Driving Permit on sarathi.parivahan.gov.in under Services on Drivers License. Upload your licence, passport, visa and ticket, and pay ₹1,000 plus user charges.

How long is an International Driving Permit valid?

Up to one year from issue, but never beyond the expiry date of your Indian driving licence.

Can I drive abroad with only the IDP?

No. The IDP records your Indian licence details, so carry your Indian licence with it. Each country sets its own rules for visitors.

Who issues the IDP in India?

The RTO (licensing authority) for the area where you live. The Rules also let state-authorised automobile associations issue it, with countersignature by the competent authority.

Is a visa needed to apply?

Sarathi asks for visa details for every IDP application. The Parivahan FAQ says this applies even where the destination offers a visa on arrival.

Can I get an IDP for a heavy vehicle?

Yes, if your Indian licence covers it. The permit uses weight-based categories, and heavy goods and passenger vehicles fall under C and D.

Sources

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