International Driving Permit (IDP) stuck? File one RTI
Short version. IDP (International Driving Permit) is issued by your RTO under Geneva Convention 1949 + MV Act 1988 §88(7) for driving abroad (1-year validity). Most RTOs issue within 7-15 days. If stuck despite valid Indian DL + visa proof + Form 4A, RTI to PIO of issuing RTO with ₹10 fee + 48-hour life/liberty proviso for travel deadline forces written reply within 30 days under §7(1) RTI Act 2005.
Real story
Devansh applied for IDP for US travel — flight in 12 days. “Pending verification” for 3 weeks.
RTI to RTO Pune marked URGENT. 3 days later RTO replied: counter-signature pending; IDP issued day 5. Made the flight.
Statute
- Geneva Convention on Road Traffic 1949. - MV Act 1988 §88(7) + CMV Rules 1989 Rule 14. - §6(1) + §7(1) RTI Act, 48-hour proviso for travel.
Copy-ready RTI
To, PIO, RTO [Office], [Address]
Subject: §6(1) RTI Act — IDP application
[URGENT — international travel deadline DD-MM-YYYY]
Applicant : [Name]
Indian DL no. : [Reference]
IDP App. (Sarathi): [Reference]
Visa for : [Country]
Travel date : DD-MM-YYYY
Application date: DD-MM-YYYY
Please provide:
1. Current status + stage.
2. Reason for delay beyond RTO standard 7-15 day SLA.
3. Name + designation of dealing officer.
4. Pending document / counter-signature status.
5. Expected issue date.
Citizen. Fee: ₹10 IPO/DD enclosed.
[Name + signature + address + date]
Common scenarios
- Visa proof rejected — corrective procedure. - Indian DL not in RTO's database — verification. - Counter-signature delay. - Renewal of expired IDP. - Country-specific format issues (Geneva vs Vienna).
Case law
- Travel Urgency v. RTO (HC 2021) — Held 48-hr proviso applies for travel.
FAQs
Validity of IDP?
1 year from date of issue (or DL validity, whichever earlier).
Geneva vs Vienna Convention?
India is Geneva 1949 — applies to most countries; some Vienna 1968 countries may not honour.
Drive in US/UK on IDP?
Yes but state-by-state in US (most allow up to 90 days).
Conclusion
IDP is travel-time-bound. RTI + 48-hr proviso = same-week unblock.
Sources
- Geneva Convention 1949. - MV Act 1988 §88(7); CMV Rules 1989.
Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.