Many countries allow usage of Indian driving licences

ChiragM · 9th October 2018, 13:53

According to a media report, to attract Indian tourists, many countries are now allowing the usage of Indian driving licences.

Many countries allow usage of Indian driving licences-delhi-license.jpg

To be eligible to drive, tourists must have a driving licence issued in English or should carry an English translation of the same. In countries like France, a French translation of the licence should be carried.

Countries like Australia have started campaigns to draw self-drive tourists and this has led to new specialized self-drive tour operators springing up.

However, there are a number of restrictions in place. Most countries allow Indians to drive for up to 1 year with their driving licence and some countries impose restrictions on the type of vehicle used. There are also restrictions on the location of the drive. For example, Indian licence holders cannot drive in the Northern Territory in Australia.

US, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are becoming popular destinations for self-drive holidays for Indian tourists.

Source: Times of India

Link to the Team-BHP News

GJ01 · 9th October 2018, 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiragM

According to a media report, to attract Indian tourists, many countries are now allowing the usage of Indian driving licences.

To be eligible to drive, tourists must have a driving licence issued in English or should carry an English translation of the same. In countries like France, a French translation of the licence should be carried.

I have personally driven on my Indian DL umpteen times in US when I am there for Business travel. Have also used my Indian DL for taking rentals in Australia, UK.

OT: Driving a rental for local commute does not make any sense now. With the proliferation of Uber / Lyft, which are re more convenient and cheaper - renting a car is a liability now.

But if you want to do a road trip, it makes sense in renting locally.

Mu009 · 9th October 2018, 14:23

But this isn't exactly new news, is it?

In fact, I'd come across this article before I even properly started reading this forum (this was posted sometime in 2015 IIRC, the date mentioned is the last updated one):
Link

In fact, links such as the above and about road trips to Thailand coupled with watching videos of AutoCar India's sponsored trips to Thailand and Europe was one of the key drivers in my desire for an expedition vehicle.

sushantr5 · 9th October 2018, 15:10

Well this is not new fact or not new news.

As far as I know in Germany you are allowed to drive

1. For first 6 months
2. 1 year in case if you show proof that you are returning after 1 year.
3. If you are staying in country for less than 180 days in a year.

zulfi hansi · 9th October 2018, 16:08

Guys in this thread can we compile a list of all the countries where we can drive with Indian DL along with the conditions necessary. It will be really helpful.

alpha1 · 9th October 2018, 16:23

On a lighter note, it appears that these countries don't have an idea how driving licenses are issued in India. Just scrolling the page down a little bit I come across this thread: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/stree...dia-bogus.html (Gadkari says 30% of driving licences in India are bogus)

To me, this move may be convenient, but may turn out to be a pain in the neck after some time (and incidents)

veedub89 · 9th October 2018, 17:30

I have driven in the following countries on my Indian Driving License while on vacation-

1. UK
2. Ireland
3. Germany
4. Czech Republic
5. USA
6. Netherlands

In all countries I rented the car through Sixt. They only needed my Indian license and my passport. Did not even ask for the IDL.
Also rented through Turo in the US. There again they required only my Indian DL and passport.

My license is in English and is the "smart" type with a chip embedded in it.

ninjatalli · 9th October 2018, 17:52

This is literally old news.

The only change I have seen and I believe is relevant is the smart card issuance by RTOs across the countries. I have faced (and still see a few cases) issues when the DL is paper based.

What hasn't changed is the acceptance of Indian driving experience as valid driving experience for obtaining a local DL. For e.g. in the US, my 14+ years of driving experience isn't considered as past driving experience. Don't know about other countries, but my guess is the situation wouldn't be much different.

benbsb29 · 11th October 2018, 06:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

What hasn't changed is the acceptance of Indian driving experience as valid driving experience for obtaining a local DL. For e.g. in the US, my 14+ years of driving experience isn't considered as past driving experience. Don't know about other countries, but my guess is the situation wouldn't be much different.

Australia considered my past driving experience when applying for a local drivers licence. The same was also taken into account when working out my insurance premiums when I bought a car. Helped with bringing down the premiums, as compared to if I was a new driver.

SCORPION · 11th October 2018, 07:38

These embassy and consulates guys, they must be driving or being driven around in our cities. I mean the foreigners.
It is surprising there is no blanket ban on Indians from driving in their countries. More so with countries that have consulates in Bangalore! Arent they worried about chaos in their country? I wouldn't be surprised if some country put a stamp on their visa stating - NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE A VEHICLE.

extreme_torque · 11th October 2018, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Australia considered my past driving experience when applying for a local drivers licence. The same was also taken into account when working out my insurance premiums when I bought a car. Helped with bringing down the premiums, as compared to if I was a new driver.

But unlike driver's from any other western country, you still had to go through two theory tests and a driving test just like any other brand new driver. The only difference being, you were given a full licence while a new driver would be given a probationary licence.

inder · 11th October 2018, 10:11

Any idea if we can drive in Dubai on our Indian DL.

roshanjathanna · 11th October 2018, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by inder

Any idea if we can drive in Dubai on our Indian DL.

If you have a valid international licence issued by Indian authorities and if you are on a tourist visa ,you are permitted to drive in DUBAI.

benbsb29 · 11th October 2018, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

But unlike driver's from any other western country, you still had to go through two theory tests and a driving test just like any other brand new driver. The only difference being, you were given a full licence while a new driver would be given a probationary licence.

One theory test, and a practical exam. But then again, so did my friend who migrated from the UAE with a Dubai driving licence.

9th October 2018, 13:53	#1
ChiragM Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,592 Thanked: 17,935 Times	Many countries allow usage of Indian driving licences According to a media report, to attract Indian tourists, many countries are now allowing the usage of Indian driving licences. To be eligible to drive, tourists must have a driving licence issued in English or should carry an English translation of the same. In countries like France, a French translation of the licence should be carried. Countries like Australia have started campaigns to draw self-drive tourists and this has led to new specialized self-drive tour operators springing up. However, there are a number of restrictions in place. Most countries allow Indians to drive for up to 1 year with their driving licence and some countries impose restrictions on the type of vehicle used. There are also restrictions on the location of the drive. For example, Indian licence holders cannot drive in the Northern Territory in Australia. US, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are becoming popular destinations for self-drive holidays for Indian tourists. Source: Times of India Link to the Team-BHP News Last edited by ChiragM : 9th October 2018 at 13:54.
	(10) Thanks

9th October 2018, 14:23	#3
Mu009 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Jabalpur Posts: 547 Thanked: 1,263 Times View My Garage	Re: Many countries allow usage of Indian driving licences But this isn't exactly new news, is it? In fact, I'd come across this article before I even properly started reading this forum (this was posted sometime in 2015 IIRC, the date mentioned is the last updated one): Link In fact, links such as the above and about road trips to Thailand coupled with watching videos of AutoCar India's sponsored trips to Thailand and Europe was one of the key drivers in my desire for an expedition vehicle. Last edited by Mu009 : 9th October 2018 at 14:24. Reason: Added some stuff.
	(5) Thanks

9th October 2018, 15:10	#4
sushantr5 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Nuremberg Posts: 676 Thanked: 597 Times View My Garage	Re: Many countries allow usage of Indian driving licences Well this is not new fact or not new news. As far as I know in Germany you are allowed to drive 1. For first 6 months 2. 1 year in case if you show proof that you are returning after 1 year. 3. If you are staying in country for less than 180 days in a year.
	(2) Thanks

9th October 2018, 16:08	#5
zulfi hansi BHPian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 997 Thanked: 384 Times	Re: Many countries allow usage of Indian driving licences Guys in this thread can we compile a list of all the countries where we can drive with Indian DL along with the conditions necessary. It will be really helpful.
	(4) Thanks

9th October 2018, 16:23	#6
alpha1 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LandOfNoWinters Posts: 2,184 Thanked: 3,012 Times	Re: Many countries allow usage of Indian driving licences On a lighter note, it appears that these countries don't have an idea how driving licenses are issued in India. Just scrolling the page down a little bit I come across this thread: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/stree...dia-bogus.html (Gadkari says 30% of driving licences in India are bogus) To me, this move may be convenient, but may turn out to be a pain in the neck after some time (and incidents)
	() Thanks

9th October 2018, 17:30	#7
veedub89 BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 532 Thanked: 1,127 Times	Re: Many countries allow usage of Indian driving licences I have driven in the following countries on my Indian Driving License while on vacation- 1. UK 2. Ireland 3. Germany 4. Czech Republic 5. USA 6. Netherlands In all countries I rented the car through Sixt. They only needed my Indian license and my passport. Did not even ask for the IDL. Also rented through Turo in the US. There again they required only my Indian DL and passport. My license is in English and is the "smart" type with a chip embedded in it.
	(2) Thanks

9th October 2018, 17:52	#8
ninjatalli Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,032 Thanked: 17,798 Times View My Garage	Re: Many countries allow usage of Indian driving licences This is literally old news. The only change I have seen and I believe is relevant is the smart card issuance by RTOs across the countries. I have faced (and still see a few cases) issues when the DL is paper based. What hasn't changed is the acceptance of Indian driving experience as valid driving experience for obtaining a local DL. For e.g. in the US, my 14+ years of driving experience isn't considered as past driving experience. Don't know about other countries, but my guess is the situation wouldn't be much different.
	() Thanks

11th October 2018, 07:38	#10
SCORPION BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 483 Thanked: 2,005 Times	Re: Many countries allow usage of Indian driving licences These embassy and consulates guys, they must be driving or being driven around in our cities. I mean the foreigners. It is surprising there is no blanket ban on Indians from driving in their countries. More so with countries that have consulates in Bangalore! Arent they worried about chaos in their country? I wouldn't be surprised if some country put a stamp on their visa stating - NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE A VEHICLE.
	(1) Thanks

11th October 2018, 10:11	#12
inder BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: nagpur Posts: 388 Thanked: 101 Times	Re: Many countries allow usage of Indian driving licences Any idea if we can drive in Dubai on our Indian DL.
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