INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT in India

videsh · Post by **videsh** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:00 am

Hello All

We will R2I'ing shortly, what are the advantages of applying for an IDP from the US. I check the websites, the Applcaition form says that it is valid in India but will the cops know that they are valid...can we use this to apply for a license in India without the Learners License(this is needed for 30 days to apply for a permanent one)..

It only costs $15 to apply and looks pretty simple....need you thoughts before I can go ahead and apply.....

Here are the websites I am referring to...

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html#permits
http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpapplc.html?association=AAA&clb_id=212&secure=N

Thanks as always for your inputs..
Videsh

realentity · Post by **realentity** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:37 am

If you are not used to driving in India, I would strongly suggest taking classes from a driving school in India first. Get a lerners licence first, take classes and then take the test for the final licence. Until then use autorickshaws and taxis to commute.

layman · Post by **layman** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:39 am

realentity;19147If you are not used to driving in India, I would strongly suggest taking classes from a driving school in India first. Get a lerners licence first, take classes and then take the test for the final licence. Until then use autorickshaws and taxis to commute.[/quote]
I strongly support this. Driving in India without getting killed is an art. It takes some time to pick up the art. Getting driver's license is no big deal. You pay up an agent and the DL will show up at your house. If required, the agent will ask you to show up for the test. Going with IDP could cause even more inconvenience. What if the clerk wants you to pay more bribe because you have come with this prestigious foreign license?

videsh · Post by **videsh** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:51 pm

The last update sums up all I guess...Cops will exploit for sure...I will think about using it.since my wife does not have any proper id(address proof in chennai) thought we will use this for instruction classes till she is able to open a bank account or any other form of id to get the learners permit....BTW will they accept Cancelled Indian Passport as for address proof.

Thanks for your inputs...

VWbuggy78 · Post by **VWbuggy78** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:17 pm

With a US drivers license and proof of local address (lease document, ration card, govt telephone bill etc), you can get a drivers license in Chennai (and I heard Bangalore as well). No driving test is required.

You can google for information on this. My wife took the printout from the website. Filled out a form with photo, photocopied California DL and got a Chennai DL in a day in Chennai. The cost was nominal. No bribe involved (as I have said in many earlier post - I never had to (or wanted to) bribe anyone in 16 months of stay in India. If you refuse to bribe, you will find the other side relent a lot. If they know you are scared and willing to part with money, they will fleece you. I already had a Chennai DL from long ago, so didn't have to go through that hassle.

DosaiLvr · Post by **DosaiLvr** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:00 pm

VWbuggy78;19257With a US drivers license and proof of local address (lease document, ration card, govt telephone bill etc), you can get a drivers license in Chennai (and I heard Bangalore as well). No driving test is required.[/quote]

I was asked to provide proof of residence, copy of my CA license and take the written test. I got the license the same evening.

Since I had simply gone to inquire, I had not prepared for the written test, I decided to take the test after "studying" the Fresco wall (traffic signs and other rules etc. painted w/ oil paint on a wall in the RTO) and I passed.

It was funny to see the nervous kids copying from one another. The lady RTO invigilator making a show of scolding them and yet letting them copy, etc.

No driving test.

When the license was handed out in the evening thru' a hole in the window, multiple hands were raised and were trying to grab the license. Reminded me of chicks - vying/fighting for grub from the mother's beak.

No concept of a queue or personal space. It was a m?e and I was rocked forward and backward as some lucky soul got the license and "escaped" the mini-riot.

If I did not know any better, I would have socked someone for getting much too uncomfortably close. I probably could have waited for 15 - 20 mins on the side line and received it w/o the pressing crowd... but the mob frenzy made the survival instincts kick in:emcrook:

Next time you see a handsome gentleman standing politely in the sideline at any line in India, it could be... well, not me :p (remember the survival instinct!??!)

Passing the license test is easy, "getting" the license is another thing though.

layman · Post by **layman** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:48 pm

What is the proof of residence you guys provided?

DosaiLvr · Post by **DosaiLvr** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:40 pm

I used a telephone bill - the connection is in my name. I guess your question is w.r.t a NRI

I'd be surprised if there wasn't some provision for a sworn affidavit for those who don't have a proof of residence which can be validated by a utility statement, bank account, passport etc..

kumbhkaran · Post by **kumbhkaran** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:13 pm

Got stopped once by a traffic police. He refused to believe the IDP. He said i need to pay upto Rs.5000 in fines!! The charges were
1. Foreign national
2. improper documentation
3. no license

He was also eyeing the laptop in the passenger seat. Asked me to open it and boot it up. He also said, I could be booked under terrorism act if I did not listen.

After a lot of negotiation paid him Rs 250 and was back on the road.[/quote]

Really if you have no hangups (moral issues etc) about paying the cops 250-500 rupees it is probably more convenient to forget the licensce (IDP or Indian) at home for fear of losing it. You can indeed go a long way in India with that kind of flexible approach. If you have hangups just stay put where you are. My 2 cents worth.

raj10100 · Post by **raj10100** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:40 pm

I have an Indian drivers license which i got when i was studying about 20 years ago.Later i went to usa and now i have returned with oci card and now resident in India.Its time to renew my indian license--going to be 40.Do we have to submit copy of us pp and oci card.It does not ask for nationality anywhere in the appln form.(just photo and address proof--the address is the same my parents house).
Can foreign drivers in india with oci(resident here) get intl driving permit.Since i am no longer resident in usa cant use american license or get an intl drivers permit from there.I might need to travel to places other than usa.