Girja Shankar Kaura
Central Government has initiated the standardization process for the issuing of an international driving permit (IDP) which will help Indian citizens to not face difficulties with their respective IDP in foreign countries.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification for greater facilitation of citizens to issue similar International Driving Permit across the country.
Presently, for Indian citizens who want to drive motor vehicles in foreign countries, the Indian driving license issued here, is valid on foreign lands also, provided it is accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Officials said that India, being a signatory to Convention on International Road Traffic of 1949 (Geneva Convention), is required to issue IDP as provided under this Convention, for the acceptance of the same on reciprocal basis with other countries.
Currently, the format, size, pattern, colour of the IDP being issued was differing across States in India. Due to this, many citizens were facing difficulties with their respective IDP in foreign countries.
Now, through this amendment, the format, size, colour for IDP has been standardized for issuance across India, and in adherence to the Geneva Convention.
Provision for QR code to link the IDP with the Driving License has also been made. A comparison of vehicle categories across various Conventions and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 has also been added for facilitation of regulatory authorities and helpline numbers and email have also been provided.
IDPs are issued by the RTOs across the country and have a maximum validity of one year from the date of issue or up to the expiry date of your driving license, whichever is earlier. More than 150 countries of the world recognise IDP as a legal source to drive on a foreign land.
With an Indian driving license, one can cover each and every part of India on your vehicle, but an international driving permit is mandatory while riding on foreign streets and highways. Thus while visiting foreign countries some may opt for public transports, whereas some others also hire vehicles to cover the foreign roads on bikes and cars and for this an IDP is required.
Currently, the international driving permit is issued to an applicant who holds a valid Indian license and is a resident of India. It is issued by the RTO within whose jurisdiction the applicant resides, specifying the countries to be visited and the duration of stay etc.
Requirements to have IDP are -valid driving licence held by the applicant and copies thereon, copies of passport, visa, if and when applicable and air ticket for verification, along with fees as prescribed along with user charges.
