Indian Driving Licence Validity Abroad
Where your Indian licence works · Where you need an IDP · 2026 reference guide
35Licence Valid
17IDP Required
7Licence Not Valid
What is an IDP (International Driving Permit)?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official translation of your Indian driving licence into multiple languages, recognised by 150+ countries under the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. It is always used alongside your original Indian licence — it is not a standalone document.
1
Visit your nearest RTO (Regional Transport Office)
2
Bring: Original Indian driving licence + photocopy, Passport + photocopy, 2 passport-size photos, Form LDD
3
Pay fee: ₹500 – ₹1,000
4
IDP issued same-day or within 1 week. Valid for 1 year
💡 The AAMOI (Automobile Association of India) and some RTOs can process IDP in 1–2 days. Apply at least 2 weeks before international travel.
✅ Licence Valid ⚠️ IDP Required ❌ Not Valid 💡 IDP Recommended ◀ Left-hand drive ▶ Right-hand drive
Asia
| Country | Licence Valid? | IDP Required? | Valid For | Drive Side | Local Time (live) | IST Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇵 Nepal | ✅ Yes | Not needed | Open border — Indian licence accepted directly | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
| 🇧🇹 Bhutan | ✅ Yes | Not needed | Duration of stay | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | 3 months | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | Duration of stay (tourist) | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | ✅ Yes | Not needed | 12 months | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
| 🇬🇪 Georgia | ✅ Yes | Not needed | Duration of stay | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇦🇲 Armenia | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | Duration of stay | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Required | Duration of visa | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | ❌ No | ⚠️ Required | — | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | ❌ No | ⚠️ Required | — | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇰🇭 Cambodia | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | As-is | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | ❌ No | ⚠️ Required | — | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | ❌ No | ⚠️ Required | — | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇲🇲 Myanmar | ❌ No | Not needed | — | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇲🇻 Maldives | ❌ No | Not needed | — | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
🇳🇵 Nepal Indian driving licence fully valid in Nepal. No IDP required.
🇧🇹 Bhutan Indian licence accepted. Self-drive requires special permit; most tourists hire local drivers.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Temporary driving licence issued by Dept of Motor Traffic on showing Indian licence. IDP simplifies this.
🇲🇾 Malaysia Indian licence accepted for short tourist visits. IDP recommended for car rentals.
🇸🇬 Singapore Indian licence valid for 12 months. Must be in English or carry a certified translation.
🇬🇪 Georgia Indian licence valid without IDP. Very popular car rental destination for Indians.
🇦🇲 Armenia Indian licence accepted. IDP recommended for car rentals.
🇹🇭 Thailand IDP required by law. Indian licence alone is NOT sufficient. Carry both IDP + Indian licence.
🇮🇩 Indonesia Indian licence NOT valid. IDP required. Scooter rentals common but require local or IDP licence.
🇻🇳 Vietnam Indian licence NOT valid even with IDP for cars. Vietnamese licence required for cars. IDP valid for motorbikes at certain locations.
🇰🇭 Cambodia Indian licence generally accepted with IDP. Car driving is uncommon; motorbikes typical.
🇯🇵 Japan Indian licence NOT valid. IDP (Geneva Convention 1949) required. Indian IDP is accepted in Japan.
🇰🇷 South Korea IDP required alongside Indian licence. Accepted for short tourist stays.
🇲🇲 Myanmar Foreigners cannot self-drive in Myanmar. Hire local driver only. IDP not applicable.
🇲🇻 Maldives Car driving very limited (Malé island only). Speedboats and ferries are primary transport. No practical use case for driving licence.
Middle East
| Country | Licence Valid? | IDP Required? | Valid For | Drive Side | Local Time (live) | IST Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪 UAE | ❌ No | Not needed | — | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇶🇦 Qatar | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | Duration of tourist stay | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇴🇲 Oman | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | Duration of tourist stay | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇯🇴 Jordan | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | Duration of stay | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇮🇷 Iran | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Required | Duration of visa | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇧🇭 Bahrain | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | 3 months | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
🇦🇪 UAE Indian licence NOT valid without conversion. Tourists on short stays may drive with Indian licence + valid UAE insurance via some rental companies; verify before renting.
🇶🇦 Qatar Indian licence accepted for tourists. Rental car companies generally accept IDP + Indian licence.
🇴🇲 Oman Indian licence accepted with IDP for tourist car rentals.
🇯🇴 Jordan Indian licence accepted for car rentals. IDP recommended. Many tourists rent for Wadi Rum/Petra drives.
🇮🇷 Iran IDP required alongside Indian licence.
🇧🇭 Bahrain Indian licence accepted for up to 3 months. IDP recommended for car rentals.
Africa
| Country | Licence Valid? | IDP Required? | Valid For | Drive Side | Local Time (live) | IST Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | 6 months | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | 90 days | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
| 🇹🇿 Tanzania | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | Duration of stay | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
| 🇲🇺 Mauritius | ✅ Yes | Not needed | Duration of stay | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Required | Duration of stay | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Required | Duration of stay | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
🇿🇦 South Africa Indian licence valid for 6 months. IDP strongly recommended for car rentals.
🇰🇪 Kenya Indian licence valid for 90 days. IDP recommended for safari car rentals.
🇹🇿 Tanzania Indian licence accepted. IDP strongly recommended for renting safari vehicles.
🇲🇺 Mauritius Indian licence fully accepted. Driving side is left. Popular self-drive destination for Indian tourists.
🇪🇬 Egypt IDP required alongside Indian licence. IDP must be certified Arabic translation in some cases.
🇪🇹 Ethiopia IDP required alongside Indian licence for car hire.
Europe
| Country | Licence Valid? | IDP Required? | Valid For | Drive Side | Local Time (live) | IST Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | ✅ Yes | Not needed | 12 months | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Required | 6 months | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇫🇷 France | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Required | 1 year | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Required | 1 year | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Required | 6 months | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Required | 12 months | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Required | 185 days | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Required | 6 months | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Required | 6 months | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | 6 months | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland (IDP) | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Required | 12 months | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Indian licence valid for up to 12 months from date of entry. Must convert to UK licence to drive beyond.
🇩🇪 Germany IDP required alongside Indian licence. Valid for 6 months from entry date. Licence must be converted for longer stays.
🇫🇷 France IDP required alongside Indian licence for the first year. Rental companies almost always require IDP.
🇮🇹 Italy IDP required alongside Indian licence. Car rental companies universally require IDP.
🇪🇸 Spain IDP required alongside Indian licence for tourists. Valid 6 months from entry date.
🇨🇭 Switzerland IDP required with Indian licence for the first 12 months.
🇳🇱 Netherlands IDP required alongside Indian licence. Valid for stay up to 185 days.
🇬🇷 Greece IDP required. Indian licence must have an English translation or carry IDP.
🇵🇹 Portugal IDP required alongside Indian licence for car rental and legal driving.
🇹🇷 Turkey Indian licence accepted for 6 months. IDP recommended. Licence must show Latin-script name.
🇨🇭 Switzerland (IDP) IDP required with Indian licence for first 12 months.
Americas
| Country | Licence Valid? | IDP Required? | Valid For | Drive Side | Local Time (live) | IST Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | 1 year (most states) | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | 60–90 days (varies by province) | ▶ Right | --:-- | — |
🇺🇸 United States Indian licence accepted in most states for up to 1 year. IDP strongly recommended + required by some rental companies.
🇨🇦 Canada Valid typically 60–90 days. Ontario: 60 days. British Columbia: 90 days. IDP recommended.
Asia-Pacific
| Country | Licence Valid? | IDP Required? | Valid For | Drive Side | Local Time (live) | IST Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺 Australia | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | 3 months (varies by state) | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
🇦🇺 Australia Valid for 3 months generally. NSW/VIC/QLD accept Indian licence directly. IDP highly recommended for car hire.
Pacific
| Country | Licence Valid? | IDP Required? | Valid For | Drive Side | Local Time (live) | IST Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | ✅ Yes | 💡 Recommended | 12 months | ◀ Left | --:-- | — |
🇳🇿 New Zealand Indian licence valid for 12 months for tourists. Must be in English; IDP required if not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive in Thailand with an Indian licence?
No — an IDP is legally required in Thailand alongside your Indian licence. Driving with only an Indian licence is technically illegal and can invalidate your insurance. Obtain an IDP from your RTO before travelling.
Can I use my Indian driving licence in Dubai / UAE?
This is complicated. Officially, Indian driving licences are not directly valid in UAE for non-residents. However, many car rental companies at Dubai Airport will rent to Indian tourists on short stays with an Indian licence + IDP. For stays over 90 days you must convert to a UAE licence.
Is driving on the left or right the same as India?
India drives on the left side of the road — the same as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mauritius. Destinations like USA, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and most of Asia drive on the right side — the biggest adjustment for Indian drivers.
How long does an IDP last?
An IDP issued in India is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. It must be used alongside your valid Indian driving licence. Renew it at your RTO before each major international trip.
Do car rental companies abroad accept Indian licences?
Large international rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget) almost universally require an IDP alongside your Indian licence, even in countries where it is not legally required. Local rental companies may be more flexible. Always carry both your Indian licence and IDP when renting abroad.
Planning the trip? Also see our Visa-Free Countries for Indian Passport Holders →