11 International Driving Permit Rules Indians Must Know

2. Verify country acceptance and validity periods before travel

Different countries treat IDPs differently. Some accept an IDP for up to about 12 months for visitors from India, while others set shorter limits or require an immediate licence conversion once you become a resident. Examples often mentioned by travellers include the USA and UK, where visitors commonly drive for many months, while Australia or Germany may have shorter allowances. These examples are general and can change depending on the state, province or local rule. Always check the embassy or consulate guidance for the exact validity period and rules that apply to visitors from India. Practical step: before you book a car or a long road trip, search the official embassy page of your destination and the local transport authority. For Australia, smarttraveller.gov.au and state transport sites have clear rules. For the USA or Canada, check the local state's DMV and the respective embassy’s travel pages. Keep a screenshot of the rule or a PDF for your trip folder. If your stay might exceed the visitor allowance, plan for early licence conversion so you avoid fines or complications.