Indian citizens overseas can now renew international driving permit without visiting India

The Government of India has amended its rules around the International Driving Permit (IDP) issued to its citizens. No certificate of medical fitness and valid visas are now necessary for its renewal, which can now be done at the Indian high commission at Canberra or a consulate at Sydney, Melbourne or Perth.

Image used for representational purpose only. Source: Getty Images/RUSS ROHDE

Highlights

• Indian citizens overseas can now renew their international driving permit without travelling home
• Renewal no longer needs medical certificate and valid visa
• India's road transport ministry gives relief to Indians stranded overseas due to COVID

As coronavirus restrictions continue to make international travel difficult across the world, local mobility of those using an IDP to navigate their country of residence can also become a challenge if this crucial driving document expires in such times.

 

To give relief to its citizens travelling, living or stranded overseas, the Government of India issued a notification on January 7 to announce that the renewal of their IDP will no longer necessitate them return to their homeland.

The amendment, made by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to the Motor Vehicle Rules, also removes the requirement of a medical certificate and a valid visa as before.

The notification issued by the Government of India regarding the amendment. Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India

This has been done with the consideration of visa on arrival and last moment visa grants in many cases. The fee for this service has been determined at INR 2,000.

If you are an Indian citizen driving overseas on an IDP which has expired, all you need to now do is approach High Commission of India at Canberra or one of the consulates at Sydney, Melbourne or Perth and apply for the IDP renewal.

International Driving Permit issued to an Indian citizen. Source: Wikimedia Commons/OmShivPrakash

The amendment will enable such applications to be redirected from Indian diplomatic missions across the world to the ministry’s VAHAN portal, which is the national register for all driving licences and registration certificates in India.

The concerned Regional Transport Offices will process the applications and the renewed IDP will be couriered to the applicant’s overseas address.

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