How I got my International Driving Permit in a single day!

I drove to the RTO again, walked up to the counter, and collected my International Driving Permit in under 2 minutes!

BHPian thirdmainroad recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Last November, during a trip to Georgia, I rented a Subaru Forester for two weeks. Back then, I didn’t have an International Driving Permit (IDP), and the rules were a bit ambiguous. One rental company flat-out refused me a vehicle without an IDP, while another was happy to hand me the keys as long as I had my original Indian driving license in English – which I did. They also confirmed their insurance would be valid in case of any damage.

Over 13 days of driving across Georgia’s beautiful landscapes, I was stopped once by the police. They asked to see my license, I handed over my Indian one, and they waved me on. That seemed to confirm that Georgia doesn’t strictly require an IDP if your license is in Latin script.

However, my experience in Thailand was different.

On my last visit, while the rental agency did give me a car, they warned me that if I was stopped by the police without an IDP, there was a chance I’d have to “settle” things informally. Not a situation I wanted to repeat.

So this time, I decided to get my IDP.

I live in Chennai and fall under the Sholinganallur RTO. The entire process was surprisingly simple and efficient.

Here’s how I got it done:

1. Online Application (10 minutes tops)

I applied via the Parivahan website.

• Uploaded scans of my passport and driving license
• Paid the fee: Rs. 1,500
• Downloaded the pre-filled application form, fee receipt, and self-declared medical form

(Note: Even though I’m over 40, no doctor’s signature or seal was required.)

2. Offline Submission (Monday morning visit)

I took:

• Printouts of all the above
• Photocopies of my passport, license, and air ticket
• Originals of my passport and license

I reached Sholinganallur RTO at 10:50 AM, and by 11:05 AM, I was done.

• First, a lady at a counter verified my docs and sent me to the Assistant RTO
• He asked about my visa – I explained that Thailand offers visa-on-arrival for Indians
• He signed the papers and sent me to the next counter
• I had my photo and digital signature taken, and that was it!

3. Approval & Collection (Same day!)

At 2:45 PM the same day, I got an SMS that my IDP had been approved. I checked the Parivahan portal – status: “No action pending” and “IDP Printed”.

I drove to the RTO again, walked up to the counter, and collected my IDP in under 2 minutes!

What I received:

• Not a booklet or smart card – just an A4-sized printed document, officially recognized as my International Driving Permit.

In all, a pleasantly efficient government process — credit where it’s due!

If you’re planning to drive abroad, especially in countries with strict traffic enforcement, I’d highly recommend getting your IDP. It costs little, takes just a day, and gives you peace of mind.

The IDP I have does mention that the country for which the IDP was applied for is Thailand. I wonder if it will be valid in other countries?

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