Friday, February 02, 2007

HOWTO: International Drivers Permit from India

Wanted to share my experiences in getting an International Drivers Permit from an Indian RTO, well the procedure is really simple but the bureaucrats in the Govt office make is looks like an impossible task without a help of a middle man (an RTO agent/broker)

Mandatory documents required for the issue of an IDP from India.
1. A valid Indian Driving License
2. Passport with Visa stamped
3. Air Tickets (well an itinerary printout will do)
4. Medical certificate is required but I did not need it (I was not asked for one)
5. A fees of Rs 500/-
6. 3 Passport size photographs

Procedure:
My experiences with the Trivandrum (Kerala) RTO was not very pleasant, I had to spend 2 full days in the RTO office to get the work done. (Because I did not want to go through an Agent, Usually the Agent takes some amount of money extra and sometimes he demands for Rs1K extra, and says man I have to give this in the RTO office or else your work will take at least 5 working days. )
First you have to go the helpdesk/PRO officer and ask him for a Form for IDP, after filling the form and pasting the photographs attach all the photocopy of the documents and give the form back to the PRO.
The PRO signs the Form and will ask you go and pay fees of Rs 500 at the cash counter.
Then submit the filled forms at the counter and he will give you a receipt.
The receipt will say which section did the file move to, you have to personally go to that section and ask the guy there that It is really important for you and please can you sign this for me.
The file then moves to the RTO desk.
Stand in a Q to see the RTO and get your documents verified (personally) He signs the document and then This file moves back the same guy on the previous section. This guy has to make your IDP, after that again this move to the RTO desk.
Again you have to stand in a Q to see the RTO to get it signed. (There is a good chance that the RTO will ignore you.. don’t lose heart, keep walking in front of his office and make sure that he sees you)
In my case the RTO got tired of my determination to get the IDP the same day, he called me in after making me wait for an hr and signed it for me :-)
Then you have to run behind the clerk who will take it to the Dispatch section.
That’s it.. collect it from the Dispatch and enjoy ...


ride/drive safe!
adios

24 comments:

INIYAVAN said...

When you visit a private organisation to get some service you are treated like a KING and they serve you like a SLAVE. But in a Govt. department it's otherway. For the time being we are forced to accept this evironment to get the jobs done quickly. Let's wait and see what is in store for the future. Let's hope (dream) for the best.

sanjaykattimani said...

Thanks for the info. I was in dialemma whether to get IDP done on my own or through an agent. Doctor's certificate and the IDP issue process is surely going to take more than a day. Looking at the time frame i have i dont think its worth spending time at RTO.

Keep blogging that helps everyone.

Panduram Ganpathrao Dhule said...

Thanks man, timely help!! :)

-Girish

Nandu Chitnis said...

Is the Int Driving n Mobiking Lisc valid for me to rent motorcycles n ride from NY to SF?

nanduchitnis@gmail.com

Unknown said...

if u have international permit can you drive in middle east or is it easy to convert to middle east license.

Blossom said...

my permanent residence is in bangalore whereas my DL was made in mumbai suburb, how will it affect my IDP ?

kindly revert pls.

Unknown said...

Is the procedure different when you get the visa on arrival and not before leaving India?

Kalyani said...

Hi Jayan,

Your explaination on IDP from India is good.
I need small information.
I also applied to IDP on my own in HYD RTO office. At the end of the day, they have given me an IDP in book format(white cover) by hand. IDP means the same or will they give any card type(like driving license). I am not sure. Can you please let me know.

Thanks.

jsr said...

@Kalyani: Happy yo know that my blog was some use to you! Yes the IDP is a paper book not card. cheers drive safely :)

Sahar said...

my licence was issued in 1 city of gujarat and now i m residing in 2nd city so can i get my international licence from city no.2?

jsr said...

@sahar: It is possible to get the IDP from the new city, but usually it takes longer (atleast 4 weeks in Bangalore) But from the same city as the DL was issued will take no more than one day. cheers

ADITYAHRIDAYA said...

Hey jayan..............thanks for the information......in that receipt, they show a delvery date.......wats tat for????

ADITYAHRIDAYA said...

hey jayan....thanks for the info....unfortunately, I am going through an agent...he made me buy the receipt before the form submission.........it is showing some delivery date on it.....what does that mean??? Does it mean that we have to submit the documents before that date or so...........

jsr said...

@ADITYAHRIDAYA: Hi I am not sure what kind of receipt are you talking about, normally you should get the IDL on the same day or the next, could be a receipt for collecting the IDL.
BTW If you are traveling to US on B1 or L1, your Indian License stays valid to rent a car for the Initial months (depends on particular state rules, please check those) I know Kansas/Missouri/Iowa is ok.

ADITYAHRIDAYA said...

Hey jayan,

I am talking about the receipt which we get after paying the fees.......it contained some person's name and a delivery date or so in it.........

jsr said...

ok good! On the delivery date you will have to go to the Office personally with your all the mentioned Original documents, e-tickets will do.

greeshma said...

Thank you so much....

Simron said...

Hi ,
Thanks .This information is really helpful. An agent in bangalore is charging as much as 4000 Rs for IDP. That's insane. Can anyone suggest if the address on the passport and the driving license needs to be the same ? I have it different but both address are from Karnataka state and diff cities.

Cheers,
Simron

Unknown said...

In KA51 RTO, it took 6
Hrs and no extra money to be paid !! all documents as per website furnished by 12:30pm and was asked to collect by 6:30 PM.It was spot on. on 19th Aug 2013

Santhosh kumar DK said...

Hi Guys,
Is the IDP process different for Visa on arrival applications?
When i go and to ask in RTO they simply rejected my application saying that Visa is must before hand.
Is there any way round to get IDP for Visa On Arrival application ?

Replies appreciated!

jsr said...

Which country are you riding to? Probably our Indian License would be good, check with the guest country travel website.

Unknown said...

Thanks for your information.......

Unknown said...

Thanks for your information.......

Unknown said...

Form no. CMV 4-A.
Original Valid Driving Licence + Passport + Visa + Air Ticket.
3-5 recent passport size photographs.
The applicant should be citizen of India.
for more information visit www.drivekool.com