Renew international driving permit while abroad
The government has done away with the condition of submitting valid Visa and medical certificate while applying for International Driving Permit (IDP). Moreover, from February 15, the IDP holders can also get the permit renewed online though the Indian embassies, if these expire when they are still abroad.
These changes have been made in the Motor Vehicle Rules by the road transport ministry through a notification on Saturday. The IDPs issued in India are accepted across 15 countries including the UK, USA, Germany, Australia, Canada, Switzerland and Bhutan. The validity of IDP is one year from the date of its issue or the validity of the domestic license whichever is earlier.
This new norm will bring huge relief to many who face problems in getting this key driving document renewed during their stay in foreign countries. Such persons will need to apply through the portals of Indian embassies or missions abroad and the applications would then be transferred to the Parivahan portal for the respective RTOs to process them. Parivahan portal is the national register of all DLs and RCs.
The applicants will be required to pay Rs 2,000 as fee for this renewal of International Driving Licence . They need to submit the proof of valid driving licence, three copies of passport photographs, valid proof of nationality and proof of valid passport. They will also need to give the address at which the renewed IDP can be delivered where the person is staying.
An official said the Visa condition has been done away with considering that several countries offer Visa on arrival and in such cases the visa was not available when anyone is applying for the IDP in India before the travel. The conditions of a medical certificate while applying for an IPD has also been done away with since the citizen who has a valid driving licence doesn’t need one more medical certificate.
He added that the changes were made after it came to the government’s notice that in some cases for the citizens who were travelling abroad and were in a foreign country, the IDP gets expired and there is no mechanism for its renewal while abroad.
