11 International Driving Permit Rules Indians Must Know

Planning to drive while travelling overseas? An International Driving Permit (IDP) can make life easier, but only when it’s used the right way. Think of the IDP as a neat translation tucked into your travel tiffin: it helps officials understand your Indian driving licence, but it does not replace the original. This guide breaks down 11 practical rules Indians should know, focusing on application steps, documents to carry, country-specific caveats and what to do if things go wrong. Each rule is written so you can skim and act quickly—pack the essentials before you leave the house or home office. A caution up front: rules change by country and sometimes by region within a country. Always verify the final details on official sites like the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (https://morth.nic.in), your state RTO portal, or the embassy/consulate page for your destination. Where helpful, this article points out common approaches used by popular destinations such as the USA, UK, Australia, Germany, Singapore and New Zealand. Treat those as starting points, not final authority. The tone here is practical and friendly—like a helpful neighbour reminding you to lock the car before a long trip. Read the quick checklist at the end and save links to official sources. When you follow these rules, driving abroad becomes less about worry and more about the road ahead.

1. Always carry your Indian driving licence with the IDP

The IDP is a translation of your Indian driving licence, not a stand-alone driving credential. That means you must present both the IDP and your original Indian driving licence if an official asks. Carrying only the IDP can cause confusion or fines. Make two photocopies of both documents and store a digital photo of each on your phone and cloud storage. Keep the originals together in a secure travel wallet or a zipped compartment, and give one photocopy to a trusted family member in India. If you rent a car, rental companies will typically check the original licence and the IDP at collection. Some countries also ask for a passport and visa, so keep those handy, too. Many automobile associations and RTO guidance stress this combined presentation—see the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (morth.nic.in) and your state RTO for specifics on documentation. A small practical trick: place one photocopy inside your luggage and one in your day bag, just in case. That way, losing a wallet does not leave you without any backup.