indian driving licence valid countries: When many Indians plan a trip abroad, a common question invariably arises in their mind: Can I drive on beautiful foreign roads using my Indian driving license? Most people assume that the driving license of India is limited only to the borders of the country. But the reality is very interesting, which every traveler needs to know. Many major and developed countries of the world recognize your standard Indian driving license.

In which countries are Indian licenses valid?

If your driving license is fully valid and has all the details printed in English, you can easily rent a vehicle and enjoy driving in some famous countries of the world. The list mainly includes the following countries:

  • United States of America (USA)
  • United Kingdom (UK)
  • Germany and France
  • Australia and New Zealand
  • Switzerland
  • Singapore and South Africa

It is mandatory to have your license digital i.e. Smart Card for driving abroad. Also, it should have your photograph and other details clearly legible in English.

IDP: Key to 150 Countries

If you are visiting a country where Indian license is not directly accepted, then you need not worry. You can get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in India by visiting your nearest RTO or the official ‘Transport Service’ website of the government. This is a small compact permit card, on the basis of which you can drive legally and safely in almost 150 countries of the world without any legal hurdles.

Why is time limit fixed?

A driving license in India, once issued, is generally valid for 20 years or until the holder attains the age of 40. But this is not the case abroad. You can only drive on foreign soil for a limited time. For example:

Australia: Indian license is allowed to drive only for 3 months.
America: Here you can use the Indian license for a maximum of 1 year.

Generally, this permission ranges from 90 days to one year depending on the local regulations of different countries. The main reason for this is that you go there on a tourist visa. No country in the world gives permanent driving privileges to foreign tourists. If you want to stay there for a long time, you have to pass the local driving test and get a new license.

Keep these important things in mind while traveling

Before driving on foreign roads it is very important to prepare a few things:

Documents: Always carry your original passport and valid visa along with driving license.

International Credit Card: A credit card is mandatory when renting a car or bike abroad, as it is required for a security deposit.

Understanding of Traffic Rules: Before traveling, get information about the traffic rules of that country online. India has a Right-hand drive driving system, while many countries in the world have a Left-hand drive driving system.

Keeping these small but important details in mind can make your road trip abroad experience memorable.