11 International Driving Permit Rules Indians Must Know

10. Lost or damaged IDP: replacement and emergency steps

Losing your IDP abroad is inconvenient but manageable. Keep digital scans and a photocopy of the IDP and your Indian licence in cloud storage and in your email. If the physical IDP is lost, contact the issuing authority in India or the automobile association that issued it to request a replacement; some offices can expedite re-issuance or provide guidance for emergency travel. If a replacement from India is not immediately possible, the embassy can often provide advice or a certificate to help while you secure a new document. Check your travel insurance for document-replacement coverage and keep receipts for emergency costs. If the loss occurs around a rental return date, inform the rental company and show your copies and passport while sorting out formalities. Quick preparation—scans, emergency contacts, and insurer numbers—saves time and reduces stress when documents go missing.