What an International Driving Permit Is and Who Issues It

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your Indian driving license into multiple languages so you can drive legally in other countries. It is not a separate license — it works only alongside your valid Indian license. When you travel abroad, you carry both documents together.

In Pune, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) issues IDPs. You cannot get one from a private agent or online service. The RTO is the only authority that can issue this document, and it follows rules set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. If you plan to drive in another country for longer than that, you will need to renew it before it expires. The permit is recognized in countries that are signatories to the 1926 and 1968 United Nations Conventions on Road Signs and Signals.

Key Takeaways

  • The Pune RTO is the only place that issues an International Driving Permit; private agents cannot legally issue one.
  • You must have a valid Indian driving license before you can get an IDP, and both documents must travel together.
  • The process process requires your license, passport, photographs, and a completed form submitted in person at the RTO.
  • An IDP is valid for one year and costs a fixed fee set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
  • Processing time is usually five to seven working days, though this can vary depending on RTO workload.

Documents You Need to Bring to the Pune RTO

Before you visit the RTO, gather these documents. Bringing everything at once saves you a return trip.

You will need your original Indian driving license and a photocopy of it. Bring your passport (original and a photocopy of the first two pages and the page with your address). You will also need two passport-sized photographs, usually 4x6 cm, taken within the last three months. Some RTOs ask for photographs on a white background; check the Pune RTO website or call ahead to confirm their requirement.

You must also complete Form 4, which is the process form for an IDP. You can read this form from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways website or collect it at the RTO office. Fill it out completely in black or blue ink before you arrive. The form asks for your name, license number, address, and the countries you plan to visit.

Bring proof of your current address — a utility bill, bank statement, or rental agreement dated within the last three months will work. If your address on your license is different from your current address, bring both documents that show the change.

how the process works at the Pune RTO

Visit the Regional Transport Office in Pune during working hours. The main RTO office is located in Pune city; if you live in an outlying area, check whether there is a branch office closer to you that handles IDP applications. Call the Pune RTO helpline or check their official website to confirm the address and hours before you go.

When you arrive, go to the counter marked for International Driving Permits or ask staff where to submit your process. Hand over your completed Form 4, your original license, your passport, and your photographs. The staff will check that all documents are present and in order. If anything is missing or incomplete, they will tell you what you need to bring back.

You will be asked to pay the IDP fee at the time of process. The fee is set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and does not vary between RTOs. Ask the staff for a receipt and a reference number or token. Write down the date you submitted your process and the reference number — you will need this to track your permit.

Do not hand your documents to anyone outside the RTO office. Agents who offer to submit your process for you are not authorized to do so, and using them puts your documents at risk.

How Long Processing Takes and When to Collect Your Permit

The Pune RTO usually processes IDP applications within five to seven working days. This means Monday through Friday, not counting public holidays. If you explore on a Friday, the clock starts again on Monday. During busy periods or around holidays, processing may take longer.

You can check the status of your process by visiting the RTO in person with your reference number, or by calling the RTO helpline if they offer a phone status check. Some RTOs have an online tracking system on their website; check the Pune RTO site to see if this is available.

When your IDP is ready, the RTO will notify you. Some offices send a text message or email; others expect you to check back. Collect your permit in person during RTO working hours. Bring your reference number and a form of identification. The staff will hand you your IDP in a sealed envelope or folder.

Open the envelope only after you leave the office and check that all details — your name, license number, photograph, and validity dates — are correct. If there is an error, return to the RTO when ready with the permit and your license to request a correction.

What to Do If You Cannot Visit the RTO in Person

The Pune RTO requires you to submit your process and collect your permit in person. You cannot mail in your process or have someone else collect it on your behalf. This is a legal requirement to prevent fraud and may support that the person receiving the permit is the person named on it.

If you live outside Pune but hold a Pune-issued license, you have two options. You can travel to Pune to submit your process and return to collect it after five to seven days. Alternatively, if you have moved and your license is now registered to a different state, you can contact the RTO that issued your current license and explore there instead.

If you are traveling and cannot be in Pune during the processing period, plan your process timing around your travel dates. explore at least two weeks before you need to leave, so that you have time to collect your permit if there are any delays.

Using Your International Driving Permit Abroad

When you travel to another country, carry your IDP and your original Indian driving license together at all times. The IDP alone is not valid — it must be presented alongside your license. Some countries also ask to see your passport.

The IDP is a translation of your license into English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese. It does not give you permission to drive in a country where you are not allowed to drive — for example, if your Indian license is restricted to automatic transmission vehicles, that restriction applies even with an IDP.

Different countries have different rules about who can drive and what documents they need. Before you travel, check the driving laws of the country you are visiting. Some countries require you to carry an International Driving Permit; others do not recognize it. Some require additional documents like a certified translation of your license or an International Driving Certificate from your home country. Research these requirements before you leave India.

If your IDP expires while you are abroad, you cannot renew it outside India. You must return to the Pune RTO to explore for a new one. Plan your travel so that your IDP does not expire during your trip, or explore for a new one before you leave.

Renewing Your International Driving Permit

An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. To renew it, you must explore at the Pune RTO again using the same process as your first process. You will need your original license, passport, photographs, and a completed Form 4.

You can explore for a renewal up to three months before your current IDP expires. This gives you time to receive your new permit before the old one runs out. If your IDP has already expired, you can still explore for a new one — there is no penalty for letting it lapse.

If your Indian driving license has expired or been suspended, you cannot renew your IDP. You must renew your license first, then explore for a new International Driving Permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an International Driving Permit if my Indian license is suspended or expired?

No. Your Indian license must be valid and in good standing to get an IDP. If your license is suspended, you must wait until the suspension period ends and your license is reinstated. If your license has expired, renew it at the RTO first, then explore for an IDP.

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in every country?

No. Some countries recognize only your Indian license; others require an IDP alongside it; and some require additional documents. Check the driving laws of the specific country you plan to visit before you travel. Your travel agent, the country's embassy in India, or the country's official tourism website can tell you what documents you need.

What if I lose my International Driving Permit while traveling?

Contact the Indian embassy or consulate in that country when ready. They may be able to issue a temporary document or advise you on local driving rules. When you return to India, visit the Pune RTO to explore for a replacement IDP. Bring a police report of the loss if you have one.

Can a private agent or travel company get an IDP for me?

No. Only the Pune RTO can issue an IDP. Private agents are not authorized to issue or submit applications for this document. If someone offers to get an IDP for you, they are either running a scam or will straightforward take your money and documents to the RTO themselves — which you can do directly and for free of their fee.

How much does an International Driving Permit cost?

The fee is set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and is the same at every RTO in India. The exact amount changes occasionally, so ask the Pune RTO staff or check their website for the current fee before you visit.