While on a trip outside India, one would like to self-drive and enjoy the road trip.  But an Indian license is valid only within India. To drive outside India, one will need an International Driving License or permit. The international driving license or permit is a document that recognizes motorists as legally licensed drivers in the country they have travelled to.  Hence this is a very valuable document authorising motorists to drive in a foreign country.

1. Introduction

The International Driving license or permit is a document giving motorists legal right to drive in a country other than theirs.  The International Driving Permit is also a document containing the translation of common driving terms in many languages assisting the driver to communicate with authorities.  It is also used as an ID proof since it has a photograph of the driver.   An International Driving License is authorized by the United Nations, giving tourists the freedom to drive in a foreign land.  

2. Who can apply? 

Indian motorists holding Indian driving license intending to drive in a foreign country can apply for this.  The validity of an international driving permit is one year from the date of issue. 

3. Who cannot apply? 

If the applicant does not hold a passport and a driver’s license he cannot apply for an international driving license permit.  

3. Procedure for application

The international driving can be issued by RTO Western India Automobile Association (WIAA) .  International Control Traffic Association (ITCA) The procedure for applying at RTO is to fill the form 4A, Form 1A and submit all the documents. For online application, the applicant must go to the state transport website,  download both the forms, take printouts and submit at RTO. The fees for the license is fixed at Rs. 1000 and Rs. 200 is to be paid for processing fee.  To secure the license through WIAA,  one needs to be a member. WIAA is an association for residents of Mumbai, Pune or Ahmedabad. The fees is Rs.  1500, and the license can be obtained within 2 days. One can apply for IDL via Western India Automobile Association only if one is travelling to countries that are parties to the 1949 Geneva Convention. Another way of getting an international driving license is through visiting the website of the International Control Traffic Association. The following documents are required for applying for IDL through ITCA

• Scanned copy of national driving license and passport
• Passport-sized photograph
• Payment if processing fee of 34 USD
• To initiate the process, click on the apply button and send your documents at applications@e-itca.org

4. Documents required for application

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

• Valid driving Licence & its copies.
• Recent passport 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

6. Advantages of international driving license 

International Driving Licence has many advantages, as stated here:

• An international driving licence serves as a proof of identity in many countries 
• International Driving Licence is proof that a person has a valid driver’s licence in the country of origin. 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 a foreign country.

7. Other points

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

8. Countries where the permit is valid

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