Now Indians Abroad can Renew International Driving Permit Online

NEW DELHI: From February 15, Indians traveling abroad can apply for renewal of the international driving permit (IDP) online, if their permits expire while they are still overseas. They don’t need to apply in person.

The road transport and highways ministry on Saturday issued a notification amending a section of the central motor vehicle rules to affect this change, which will bring huge relief to many who face problems in getting this key driving document 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 IPD. 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.

The ministry has also done away with the conditions of a medical certificate and a valid visa at the time of making the request for the IDP in the country since the citizen who has a valid driving licence doesn’t need one more medical certificate.

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.

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 ODP gets expired and there is no mechanism for its renewal while abroad.

Source: ToI