International Driving Permit (IDP)

What is International Driving Permit (IDP)?

• It is issued to an applicant who holds a valid Indian Licence and who is a resident of India. 
• The application shall be made in Form 2 or in writing to the RTO within whose jurisdiction the applicant resides, specifying the countries to be visited and the duration of stay etc.
• India, being a signatory to Convention on International Road Traffic of 1949 (Geneva Convention), is required to issue IDP as provided under this Convention, for the acceptance of the same on reciprocal basis with other countries.
• Currently, the format, size, pattern, colour etc. of the IDP being issued was differing across States in India. 
• Due to this, many citizens were facing difficulties with their respective IDP in foreign countries.
• Now, through this amendment, the format, size, colour etc. for IDP has been standardized for issuance across India, and in adherence to the Geneva Convention. 
• A comparison of vehicle categories across various Conventions and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 has also been added for facilitation of regulatory authorities.  

Convention on International Road Traffic of 1949(Geneva Convention)-

• It is an international treaty promoting the development and safety of international road traffic by establishing certain uniform rules among the contracting parties. 
• The convention addresses minimum mechanical and safety equipment needed to be on board and defines an identification mark to identify the origin of the vehicle. 
• The Convention was prepared and opened for signature by the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport held at Geneva from 23 August to 19 September 1949. It came into force on 26 March 1952. This conference also produced the Protocol on Road Signs and Signals.
• There is a European Agreement supplementing the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic, in addition to the 1949 Protocol on Road Signs and Signals, concluded in Geneva on 16 September 1950.