International Driving Permit (IDP)

Table of Contents

International Driving Permit (IDP)- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: Governance, Administration and Challenges
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification for greater facilitation of citizens in the issue of International Driving Permit (IDP) across the country.

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.
Concerns with Existing Norms: Currently, the format, size, pattern, colour etc. 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.

Through the recent amendment, the format, size, colour etc. 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.
Helpline numbers and email have also been provided for timely grievance redressal and facilitation of citizens in the issue of International Driving Permit (IDP) across the country.

Issuance: International Driving Permit will be issued to an applicant who holds a valid Indian Licence and who is a resident of India.
- The application shall be made in Form 2 or in writing to the RTO within whose jurisdiction the applicant resides, specifying the countries to be visited and the duration of stay etc.
Requirements: Following documents and fee is required for the issuance of International Driving Permit (IDP)-
- Valid driving Licence held by the applicant and copies thereon.
- Copies of Passport, Visa ( where applicable) and Air ticket for verification.
- Fees as prescribed along with user charges.

About: An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a version of a domestic driving licence that allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle in any country or jurisdiction that recognises the document.
IDP Governance: International Driving Permits are governed by three international conventions-
- The 1926 Paris International Convention relative to Motor Traffic,
- The 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, and
- The 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
Implementation by States: Countries, signatory to any of the above three International conventions, are required to issue IDP as per the rules of these conventions.
- When a state is contracted to more than one convention, the newest one terminates and replaces previous ones.