How to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) — complete 2026 guide

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) reports about 3.5 lakh IDPs issued annually in India. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu account for over 60%. The rejection rate is around 8-10% — almost entirely due to (a) DL expiring within 6 months of IDP date, (b) Form 1A medical from non-empanelled doctor, or © incomplete travel documents.

The International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a separate licence. It is a multilingual translation of your existing national driving licence, issued under the framework of the United Nations 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (India is a signatory). Its purpose: enable foreign police, traffic officers and rental agencies to verify your driving authority in a language they understand.

The legal anchors in Indian law:

• Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, §7 — empowers the licensing authority to issue licences and permits.
• Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, Rule 16(2A) — specifically governs the issuance of IDP.
• Form 4A under CMVR 1989 — the prescribed application form.
• 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic — the international framework.

You need an IDP if you intend to drive a private vehicle (your own or rented) in any country other than India. Many countries also accept the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP, but India issues only the 1949 Geneva version. Some countries (notably China, Brazil, and a handful of small jurisdictions) recognise neither and require a local licence — check the destination country's rules before assuming the IDP is enough.

Eligibility:

• Indian citizen.
• Holder of a valid permanent Indian Driving Licence (Learner's Licence does not qualify).
• DL must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of IDP issue (because IDP is valid for 1 year).
• Age 18+ for non-transport vehicles; 20+ for transport vehicles.
• Must have confirmed or near-confirmed travel — air ticket and (if non-tourist) visa.

Validity of IDP:

• 1 year from date of issue, OR
• Until your underlying Indian DL expires, whichever is earlier.
• IDP is not renewable — when it expires, you apply afresh.

Two channels:

• Online via Sarathi (national portal) — https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in. State-by-state UI; some states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat have a fully online application + appointment workflow. Some states still require in-person submission.
• Walk-in / appointment at RTO — if your state's portal is partially online or you prefer in-person. Issuing authority is the same RTO that issued your DL, or your current jurisdiction RTO if you've transferred your address.

You cannot apply at a random RTO; only your jurisdictional one. For DL holders who have moved cities, get your DL address transfer done first (Form 33), then apply for IDP at the new RTO.

• Open https://parivahan.gov.in → “Online Services” → “Driving Licence Related Services” → “Search Related Application” or “DL Print/Status”.
• Confirm:
  1. DL expiry is at least 6 months after the IDP date you want.
  2. DL category includes the vehicle class you plan to drive abroad (LMV is enough for cars).
  3. DL address matches the RTO where you'll apply. If not, do a Form 33 address transfer first.
• If your DL is expiring soon, renew first. See How to renew Driving Licence online — 2026.

• Form 1A is the medical fitness certificate prescribed under CMVR 1989.
• Must be issued by a registered medical practitioner (some states accept any MBBS doctor; others insist on RTO-empanelled doctors — Karnataka and Telangana, notably).
• Tests include vision, colour blindness, blood pressure, basic mobility.
• Cost: ₹150-500 depending on doctor.
• Validity: most RTOs accept Form 1A issued within the last 30 days.

You need at minimum:

• Confirmed air ticket (or e-ticket booking with PNR) showing destination country and travel dates.
• Valid visa for the destination country, if it's not a visa-on-arrival or visa-free destination for Indians. Some RTOs accept ETA / visa-on-arrival proof.
• If your trip is purely tourist to a visa-free country (e.g., Mauritius, Indonesia), the air ticket alone is usually accepted.

• Open https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in.
• Select your state, then “Apply for International Driving Permit”.
• Enter DL number + date of birth → details auto-populate.
• Fill the Form 4A fields:
  1. Personal details (auto-pulled).
  2. Passport number, issue + expiry dates.
  3. Destination country (ies) + planned travel date.
  4. Class of vehicle to be driven.
• Upload scanned documents (PDF / JPG, each under 1 MB usually):
  1. Indian DL — front + back.
  2. Passport — bio page + visa page.
  3. Air ticket / itinerary.
  4. Form 1A medical certificate.
  5. 4 passport-size photographs (some states ask for digital upload only).
  6. Aadhaar (for eKYC).

• Standard fee: ₹1,000 under CMVR Rule 32.
• Smart card / printing fee: ~₹200 (varies by state).
• Total: typically ₹1,150-₹1,250.
• Payment via NetBanking / UPI / Card. Save the receipt PDF.

• The system will offer a slot at your jurisdictional RTO.
• Some states (Karnataka) offer same-day issuance for walk-in with online appointment. Most require 7-10 working days.
• Print the appointment receipt.

• Carry all originals + photocopies + appointment slip + payment receipt + Form 4A printout.
• Most states ask for a signature + thumb impression on Form 4A in front of the clerk.
• Some states do a quick biometric (photo + fingerprint).
• Verify the IDP on the spot before leaving — check name spelling, passport number, DL number, all dates.

• Same-day in some states (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu); 7-10 working days dispatch by Speed Post in others.
• Format: A6 grey booklet, multilingual, with photograph, signature, DL details, and signature of issuing authority + RTO seal.
• Always carry both the IDP and your Indian DL when driving abroad. The IDP alone is invalid — it's a translation, not a licence.

+----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
| IDP issuance fee (CMVR Rule 32)  | ₹1,000                                |
+----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
| Smart card / printing fee        | ₹200 (varies ₹150-₹250 by state)      |
+----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
| Form 1A medical                  | ₹150-₹500 by doctor                   |
+----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
| Photographs (4 × 4.5×3.5 cm)     | ₹50-₹100 at studio                    |
+----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
| Validity                         | 1 year from issue, OR DL expiry —     |
|                                  | whichever is earlier                  |
+----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
| Underlying DL must be valid for  | At least 6 months from IDP issue date |
+----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
| Issuance time — same-day states  | 30-90 minutes at RTO                  |
+----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
| Issuance time — other states     | 7-10 working days                     |
+----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
| Renewal                          | Not allowed — apply afresh            |
+----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
| Apply abroad?                    | NO. Indian missions abroad cannot     |
|                                  | issue IDP — must apply in India       |
|                                  | before travel.                        |
+----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
| RTI to PIO RTO                   | ₹10 by IPO. BPL = free with self-     |
|                                  | declaration                           |
+----------------------------------+---------------------------------------+

• DL expiring within 6 months of IDP date. Common with people who haven't renewed in time. Solution: renew DL first (Form 9, ₹400-700), then apply for IDP.
• Aadhaar mobile not registered / different from RTO record — the OTP for online verification doesn't reach you. Update mobile in Aadhaar first via myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.
• Form 1A from non-empanelled doctor (state-specific). Karnataka, Telangana, AP, Kerala maintain doctor empanelment lists; check the RTO website.
• Travel ticket not booked yet — some RTOs (especially Maharashtra and UP) insist on confirmed PNR; a tentative itinerary is rejected.
• Visa not yet stamped — for visa-required destinations, several RTOs ask for the visa as proof of travel intent. If you're applying for visa with the IDP (some embassies want IDP at visa stage), ask the RTO to accept the visa appointment confirmation as interim proof.
• Passport validity less than 6 months from IDP date — most RTOs reject. Renew passport first.
• DL category mismatch — your DL has only Motorcycle without Gear (MCWG) but you want to drive a car abroad. The IDP can only translate what your DL already authorises. Add the LMV class first.
• Address mismatch between Aadhaar, DL, and current — get DL address transfer (Form 33) done first.
• No appointment slots — try off-peak RTOs, early-morning slots, or reschedule mid-week.
• Same-day not honoured despite Karnataka rule — file a written representation; RTI works.

• Walk in with your application receipt + appointment slip + grievance in writing (1 page).
• Ask for the file status; ask the IMV (Inspector) for resolution.

• Each state has a Transport helpline — Karnataka (080-22210555), Maharashtra (1800-120-8040), Delhi (1076), Tamil Nadu (1800-419-1500), etc. Find at https://parivahan.gov.in.
• Quote your application number.

• https://parivahan.gov.in → “Grievance” → submit ticket against your RTO with application number.

• Each state has a Transport Commissioner with a public grievance email and phone. Direct escalation when the RTO doesn't move.

• https://pgportal.gov.in → Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) → state Transport Department.
• 30-day SLA; gets routed to Joint Commissioner Transport.

Every State Transport Department and every RTO is a public authority under §2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005. PIOs are appointed at every RTO and at the state Transport Commissioner's office.

RTI helps here when:

• Your IDP application has been pending more than 15 working days without movement. RTI to PIO RTO → “current status of File / Application No. XXXX, name and rank of dealing officer, expected date of dispatch”.
• Your application is rejected without reason. RTI to PIO RTO → “specific grounds for rejection of File No. XXXX, with reference to the relevant rule under CMVR 1989 / state notification”.
• The RTO claims a document is missing that you've already uploaded. RTI → “list of documents currently on record against File No. XXXX, with date of upload”.
• Same-day issuance not honoured despite stated state policy. RTI → “current SOP and circular for same-day IDP issuance in [State]”.
• A bribe was solicited. RTI → “official fee schedule for IDP, list of authorised payment modes, complaint mechanism”.

For related stuck-vehicle/RTO issues, see: RTI for vehicle RC / NOC delay.

RTI does NOT help here when:

• You applied yesterday and want today's status — let the published SLA elapse first.
• You want the RTO to issue an IDP for an expired DL — that's a substantive denial, not a process delay; renew the DL.
• You want the RTO to add a vehicle class to your DL via the IDP route — IDP only translates existing authority; you need a separate driving test for the new class.
• You disagree with the doctor's Form 1A medical opinion — that's a medical clinical judgment, not RTI-able. Get a fresh medical from another empanelled doctor.
• You want to drive abroad on a country that doesn't accept Indian IDP (e.g., China, Brazil) — RTI cannot change international recognition. Get a local foreign licence in that country.

Q. How long is an IDP valid?
1 year from issue date, or until your Indian DL expires — whichever is earlier. It is not renewable; reapply afresh when it expires or before your next trip.

Q. Is the IDP a separate driving licence?
No. It is a multilingual translation of your Indian DL. You must carry both (IDP + original Indian DL) when driving abroad. The IDP alone is invalid.

Q. Which countries accept the Indian IDP?
Around 150 countries that are signatories to the 1949 Geneva Convention — including all of the EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, UAE, most of South-East Asia. Notable exceptions: China, Brazil, Vietnam, and a few others — check destination rules before travel.

Q. Can I apply for IDP from outside India?
No. Indian missions abroad cannot issue IDPs. You must apply at your jurisdictional RTO before leaving India.

Q. Can someone else collect my IDP on my behalf?
Generally no — biometric / signature is required. Some states allow collection by an authorised representative with notarised authority letter for Speed Post dispatch failures only.

Q. My DL is from Karnataka but I now live in Mumbai. Where do I apply?
Either: (a) apply at the Karnataka RTO that issued your DL (you can submit online and either receive by Speed Post or collect on a visit), or (b) do a Form 33 address transfer to a Mumbai RTO first, then apply there.

Q. Can I drive a rental car in the USA on my Indian DL alone, without an IDP?
Some US states allow it for short-term tourists; most rental companies still demand an IDP at the counter. Carry both to avoid being denied the car at pickup.

Q. The RTO clerk wants ₹500 “service charge” on top of the official fee. Should I pay?
No. The official fee is ~₹1,200 — published on parivahan.gov.in. Refuse, ask for the supervisor, file CPGRAMS complaint + RTI for the audit log.

Q. Can I get an IDP without a confirmed air ticket?
Most states require at least a booking confirmation / itinerary; some accept a notarised affidavit of intent to travel. Try Sarathi first — if rejected, escalate.

Q. My IDP has a typo in my passport number. What now?
Visit the same RTO with your passport + IDP within 7 days; correction is usually free. Don't try to use the IDP abroad with the typo — rental agencies and traffic police will refuse.

• How to apply for a fresh Indian Driving Licence — 2026
• How to renew Driving Licence online — 2026
• RTI for vehicle RC / NOC delay — copy-ready template
• How to apply for a lost or duplicate passport — 2026
• RTI in 12 simple steps — for first-time filers
• All Indian government helplines — one master directory
• RTI forms + state-wise fee chart

Last reviewed: 26 April 2026 by RTI Wiki editorial team. IDP fees and SOPs vary by state and are updated by MoRTH circular — verify the current fee on parivahan.gov.in or write to admin@bighelpers.in if you spot a stale figure.