[PreludeSH]

What do you do for countries that have visa on arrival ? Is Visa mandatory for applying through RTO ?

[Satkaj]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Are you sure? I'm British, used to have (it's not valid of one is no longer resident) a British driving licence, but always took an IDP when visiting. I haven't hired a car over those years, and hey, I don't think they check the address, but it is better to have too much than too little.

I have driven rented car with Indian license . Sometimes since we are travelling foreign country, people prefer to be safer. Never carried IDP for UK/ Australia/ South Africa till date.

[nagr22]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Are you sure? I'm British, used to have (it's not valid of one is no longer resident) a British driving licence, but always took an IDP when visiting.

The UK government's official website (gov.uk) confirms that 'a visitor' to GB from 'any other' country can drive a car or a motorcycle (as listed in your license) for upto 12 months!

I find it ironic that they have some of the most comprehensive and tough to crack drivers licensing program and then go on to say visitors from 'any other country' can drive legally for 12 months? Is this one of those British humors that I am not understanding?

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by nagr22

The UK government's official website (gov.uk) confirms that 'a visitor' to GB from 'any other' country can drive a car or a motorcycle (as listed in your license) for upto 12 months!

Yes, that is the case, and I've known several people who did that. I thought they had IDP, but it's all too long ago now, so rate that just a supposition that could be wrong.

My friend from Chennai, during his twelve months, was really rather scary driving in London! He took the training and passed his test. For a year or so he drove by the [British] book. After which he reverted to Chennai style. That was nearly thirty years ago and now he drives like any other Brit driver. Probably I would be the scary driver there now!

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by nagr22

I find it ironic that they have some of the most comprehensive and tough to crack drivers licensing program and then go on to say visitors from 'any other country' can drive legally for 12 months?

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Yes, that is the case, and I've known several people who did that.

Truly ironic but yes! I drove for 11 months and then got my UK licence. The lovely Brit (male, white, old and delightfully crusty) from the DVLA scolded me for driving too slow, but passed me with a broad smile when he heard I already had 12 years driving experience. He accused me of driving too slow just to please him

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

The lovely Brit ... from the DVLA scolded me for driving too slow...

People get really worried that they'll break the speed limit (probably only 30MPH on the whole circuit) and some purposely stick to about 25. They may very well be failed: the wording is something like failing to make sufficient progress. Similarly, stopping at give-way lines is another excess of caution that is seen as being a bad a failing to stop at a stop line.

Hmmm I guess I'm straying from topic.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

People get really worried that they'll break the speed limit (probably only 30MPH on the whole circuit) and some purposely stick to about 25. They may very well be failed:

Very true. I forget where I passed my test, but it had a little motorway section with a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 60. Stuck to 55 and gentleman was mighty pleased.

Can imagine that 40 catching out a lot of newbies.

[CArider]

Originally Posted by PreludeSH

What do you do for countries that have visa on arrival ? Is Visa mandatory for applying through RTO ?

Nope, I recently applied for a IDL. It requires passport, but there's no requirement of Visa. Btw, the entire process in Delhi is streamlined and online. No need to visit in person, just fill the form, pay the fee and the IDL would be delivered to your home in less than a week.

[HighOnSpeed]

Originally Posted by Satkaj

Indian license is valid in UK / Ireland as far as it is in English.

Originally Posted by Dosojin

You can get information at below link - this is sixt specific and may be different for other rental companies.

https://www.sixt.com/rental-information/

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Are you sure? I'm British, used to have (it's not valid of one is no longer resident) a British driving licence, but always took an IDP when visiting.

I just came back from my trip and my Indian Driving License was accepted both by Sixt IE and Hertz UK. Moreover, I got a written confirmation from them beforehand anyways. The only requirement is for the DL to be in English and the class of vehicle to be properly mentioned, otherwise, an IDP would be mandatory.

[logicalidiot]

I'm looking forward to apply for an IDP outside the RTO or through other organisations. Can anyone tell me the way forward and the cost involved? Is AASI still issuing?

I previously had an IDP issued but it has expired last August. I'm not able to apply for a new one and got rejected due to mismatch in the address between DL and passport. I realise the first time I just got lucky but luck has left me since then.

[mehargags]

I'm in the same boat.

Previously living in West Delhi, I've had IDPs issues 4 times before, used to get an ugly black booklet with hand filled credentials. Last I got it was Dec -2019 (just before Covid)

I moved to Gurgaon 3 years back, I have my DL transferred to HR26 RTO in 2022. Since I'm travelling to Japan this Christmas, I wanted to have a 1949 Geneva convention compliant IDP booklet that is recognised by Japanese car rental companies. I paid Rs. 1100 to RTO online and instead what I get is a plain print out on a paper STAMPED by the RTO. I asked them if this will be valid in Japan & Germany and they both said in Haryanvi accent ... bhai yahi milta Gurgaon mein, booklet ka na pata.

I could not reach an SDO as he was not on seat.

I then sent this printout's copy to Toyota Rental and Mario Cart guys... MarioCart guys replied the WON'T accept this Single page IDP, they need in Booklet form only. Full transcript for ref:

Unfortunately, your International Driving Permit (IDPs) is not valid for driving in Japan. We cannot accept IDPs unless they are in booklet format.

For Indian driver's license holders, you need to obtain an International Driving Permit compliant to the 1949 Geneva Convention.
[CAUTION] Some regional government offices issue a card or single paper type of permit BUT those formats are NOT permitted to use in Japan.

Japan only recognizes the BOOKLET Format ONLY. You can obtain the permit from one of the associations below before you leave India:
-Automobile Association Of Eastern India
-Automobile Association Of Southern India
-Automobile Association Of Upper India
-India Automobile Association
*Card or single paper types are NOT valid.
*The Booklet type is about the size of a passport.

Once you have obtained the permits, please send us a photo of every driver's permits (both Cover Page and Picture ID Page) so we can verify the validity. Common clerical errors made by the issuing office will make your permit invalid. If you are still in India, you can simply go back to the issuing office and have it fixed.
https://kart.st/en/drivers-license/india.html

Regards,
Tim / Reservation Team

I then called Automobile Association Of Upper India aaui.org and they said the IDP I got from RTO is useless. To get the recognised booklet format from them, I'll need to pay 9000 as membership to them and then 3000 as IDP fee. On asking their Authorisation and Credentials... he was like there are associations all over the world, we are recognised by RTO's and Transport Dept. If this was the case, why Parivahan portal doesn't mention their name? Even the website looks quite casual and not at all 'according' to NIC guidelines.

I'm quite disappointed how Gurgaon RTO is handling this... if a tier 1 city's RTO doesn't have clue what a "1949 Geneva convention compliant IDP booklet" means, I'm not sure what our departments are doing.

Anyone living in Gurgaon shed me some light how to get a Japan recognised IDP ?

[r_nairtvm]

Originally Posted by mehargags

Anyone living in Gurgaon shed me some light how to get a Japan recognised IDP ?

Best is to get it from AAI offices mentioned in your post.

RTO Offices around the country doesn't have the IDP booklets anymore it looks like.

The INR 9,000 is a onetime cost. Effectively you are getting it for INR 3,000.00

There's a US based organization that issues IDP.

https://international-permit.com/en-...SAAEgL_o_D_BwE

I have got it from them several times, all for use in Middle East and Europe for car rentals

Check with them if their permit is valid for Japan. They are pretty prompt in communications.

They charge about INR 7K (Credit Card USD Payment) and you get the permit by 4th working day of your payment (at least that has been my experience in Bangalore).

You have option to get up to 4-year valid permits, provided your base India License is valid during the period.

Best Regards & Drive Safe

[NFS2024]

Originally Posted by kshitish

You can go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in and choose Maharashtra as your state. It'll then show you services to choose from - look for 'apply for international drivers permit'. From there, you just need to provide the information that you're asked for.

Hi can you let us know in how many days were you able to get the IDP after applying online?

[robincsamuel]

Originally Posted by mehargags

I'm quite disappointed how Gurgaon RTO is handling this... if a tier 1 city's RTO doesn't have clue what a "1949 Geneva convention compliant IDP booklet" means, I'm not sure what our departments are doing.

I believe the specific RTO is to blame. Last year, I applied for an IDP for Thailand and received a laminated card. I applied again for Austria a few months ago and got a 1949 Geneva Convention-compliant booklet with German translations.

My friend applied for the same from a different RTO but received the IDP without the necessary stamps. We then visited the RTO, showed them mine, and got it stamped correctly.

Both RTOs are in Kerala. Ironically, my RTO is in a tier-3 city, yet I received the proper documents, while my friend’s RTO, in a tier-2 city, failed to provide the necessary stamps.

Originally Posted by robincsamuel

I recently applied for an IDP for Austria at a KL RTO, and this time, it's a different permit. It's an eight-page document with German translations.
Attachment 2631042

[kshitish]

Originally Posted by NFS2024

Hi can you let us know in how many days were you able to get the IDP after applying online?

From applying online to getting it delivered, it took 5 days which also included the weekend.