The International Driving License (IDL) / International Driving Permit (IDP) Thread

sbasak · 15th June 2006, 14:08

What is the use of IDL? One can drive abroad with normal Indian license for 1 year at least (in most countries).

What advantage an IDL gives to the driver?

Also, both IDL and normal driving license is issued by Govt. of India. So, how does IDL gives more acceptibility abroad?

Rtech · 15th June 2006, 14:32

Quote:

Also, both IDL and normal driving license is issued by Govt. of India. So, how does IDL gives more acceptibility abroad?

Good question! Its probably just one more area to earn a bit more for the RTO's.

F50 · 15th June 2006, 15:02

Even if you have IDL is it accepted everywhere coz once I was talking to a cop he told that it is not accepted everywhere.

Rtech · 15th June 2006, 15:04

The countries that accept the licence are mentioned on the IDL (if I remember correct). No, its not accepted everywhere.

15th June 2006, 15:06

Indian DL doesnt allow you to drive in some LHD european countries. They do a lot of chic - chic in greek and i couldnt get a thing.

Plus when I wanted to get my 1 yrs UK driving license which they were giving me free in exchange for my Indian DL but which was valid for 20 years and i would NOT be returned that after a year

so i instead opted to apply for a seperate UK driving licesne which costed me to pass a theory and practaical driving lessons plus a license fee i think it was £115 in total.

But i think if i had my International DL which i could have got from India for like Rs.550 i would have exchanged it for the 1 yr UK license ... So all those people who are coming to UK and planning to drive getting an International DL is a good idea.

Some places they accpet your Indian license but say for instance you want to rent a Ferrari ... ok BMW for a day they wouldnt ... well most of the rentals wouldnt.

cheers,
ash

amitoj · 15th June 2006, 15:21

An IDL is supposed to have your license information in multiple languages. When you are travelling to a country where English is not used (eg many european countries) , thats where IDL is supposed to be useful.
Since i have not been in any of these situations, and my own IDL did not have any such information, i have used the expression "supposed to"

Amitoj

nakedflame · 15th June 2006, 16:46

does any1 know whether IDL/Indian License is valid in Bahrain/other Gulf States?
and what is the official website for IDL?
thanks

abhijitaparadh · 24th January 2007, 08:53

I have Indian Driving License with IDP. Which all states in US can I drive legally? I heard only NY and CA recongnize Indian license.

Also can I take car on rent showing Indian License? Is there any extra charges for that since the license is not US based?

Experienced T-BHPians please reply!
Thanks in advance!

chanapli · 24th January 2007, 09:18

In CA, IDP (Infact any other US state licence) is valid for 12 months and you can rent a car. Insurance may be higher and no special discounts.

flipsyde · 24th January 2007, 09:38

exactly what i wanted to know!!
i'm planning to go for a road trip in the US this summer and i want to know which are all the states where my license would be valid.

Sahil · 24th January 2007, 09:45

You need an international drivers licence from WIAA india.

Equus · 24th January 2007, 09:59

Actually its not valid.. But some states like CA, MA do allow you to drive while on short trips (its not very clear as to what defines a short trip). Nevada doesnt allow.. Not sure about other states..

cheap_deal · 24th January 2007, 10:18

if ur indian license is accompanied by an IDP, then isnt it valid all over the country (i know for sure its valid in Canada) and most rentals wont have a problem renting a car to you (unless your under 25).

navin · 24th January 2007, 10:21

It is funny. I have been told by cops in NJ that IDPs are not valid and cops in NYC that they are. Go figure. I guess the rules are interpreted differently in various states. now remember my expereince was in 1982. After that I had a US licence (now valid till 2013).

hrag · 24th January 2007, 10:28

Your Indian Driving License is valid in California. In fact, California does not recognise the International Driving Permit.

Driver License and Identification (ID) Card Information

I have rented cars from Enterprise in California with my Indian Driving License. Enterprise arranged insurance for me (I had to pay, not much) since I didn't have my own.

I don't know about other states in the US.

15th June 2006, 14:08	#61
sbasak BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CCU-LTN Posts: 608 Thanked: 14 Times	What is the use of Intl' Driving License? What is the use of IDL? One can drive abroad with normal Indian license for 1 year at least (in most countries). What advantage an IDL gives to the driver? Also, both IDL and normal driving license is issued by Govt. of India. So, how does IDL gives more acceptibility abroad?
	() Thanks

15th June 2006, 15:02	#63
F50 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai/USA Posts: 1,707 Thanked: 103 Times	Even if you have IDL is it accepted everywhere coz once I was talking to a cop he told that it is not accepted everywhere.
	() Thanks

15th June 2006, 15:04	#64
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	The countries that accept the licence are mentioned on the IDL (if I remember correct). No, its not accepted everywhere.
	() Thanks

15th June 2006, 15:06	#65
ash_edged Posts: n/a	International Driving License is good ! Indian DL doesnt allow you to drive in some LHD european countries. They do a lot of chic - chic in greek and i couldnt get a thing. Plus when I wanted to get my 1 yrs UK driving license which they were giving me free in exchange for my Indian DL but which was valid for 20 years and i would NOT be returned that after a year so i instead opted to apply for a seperate UK driving licesne which costed me to pass a theory and practaical driving lessons plus a license fee i think it was £115 in total. But i think if i had my International DL which i could have got from India for like Rs.550 i would have exchanged it for the 1 yr UK license ... So all those people who are coming to UK and planning to drive getting an International DL is a good idea. Some places they accpet your Indian license but say for instance you want to rent a Ferrari ... ok BMW for a day they wouldnt ... well most of the rentals wouldnt. cheers, ash
	() Thanks

15th June 2006, 15:21	#66
amitoj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Windham, NH USA Posts: 3,348 Thanked: 3,105 Times View My Garage	An IDL is supposed to have your license information in multiple languages. When you are travelling to a country where English is not used (eg many european countries) , thats where IDL is supposed to be useful. Since i have not been in any of these situations, and my own IDL did not have any such information, i have used the expression "supposed to" Amitoj
	() Thanks

15th June 2006, 16:46	#67
nakedflame Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Manipal/Bahrain Posts: 24 Thanked: 0 Times	does any1 know whether IDL/Indian License is valid in Bahrain/other Gulf States? and what is the official website for IDL? thanks
	() Thanks

24th January 2007, 08:53	#68
abhijitaparadh BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 222 Thanked: 3 Times	Where is Indian Driving license valid in US? I have Indian Driving License with IDP. Which all states in US can I drive legally? I heard only NY and CA recongnize Indian license. Also can I take car on rent showing Indian License? Is there any extra charges for that since the license is not US based? Experienced T-BHPians please reply! Thanks in advance!
	() Thanks

24th January 2007, 09:18	#69
chanapli BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Banglaore Posts: 270 Thanked: Once	In CA, IDP (Infact any other US state licence) is valid for 12 months and you can rent a car. Insurance may be higher and no special discounts.
	() Thanks

24th January 2007, 09:38	#70
flipsyde BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 644 Thanked: 84 Times	exactly what i wanted to know!! i'm planning to go for a road trip in the US this summer and i want to know which are all the states where my license would be valid.
	() Thanks

24th January 2007, 09:45	#71
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	You need an international drivers licence from WIAA india.
	() Thanks

24th January 2007, 09:59	#72
Equus Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,123 Thanked: 423 Times	Actually its not valid.. But some states like CA, MA do allow you to drive while on short trips (its not very clear as to what defines a short trip). Nevada doesnt allow.. Not sure about other states..
	() Thanks

24th January 2007, 10:18	#73
cheap_deal BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: unknown Posts: 465 Thanked: 8 Times	if ur indian license is accompanied by an IDP, then isnt it valid all over the country (i know for sure its valid in Canada) and most rentals wont have a problem renting a car to you (unless your under 25).
	() Thanks

24th January 2007, 10:21	#74
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,199 Thanked: 9,308 Times	It is funny. I have been told by cops in NJ that IDPs are not valid and cops in NYC that they are. Go figure. I guess the rules are interpreted differently in various states. now remember my expereince was in 1982. After that I had a US licence (now valid till 2013).
	() Thanks

24th January 2007, 10:28	#75
hrag BANNED Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore / Madras Posts: 1,982 Thanked: 31 Times	Your Indian Driving License is valid in California. In fact, California does not recognise the International Driving Permit. Driver License and Identification (ID) Card Information I have rented cars from Enterprise in California with my Indian Driving License. Enterprise arranged insurance for me (I had to pay, not much) since I didn't have my own. I don't know about other states in the US.
	() Thanks