Are US / European driver licenses accepted in India?

Are US / European driver licenses accepted in India? - Men fixing problem in motor of car

A couple of friends and I are thinking of travelling to India. The idea is to rent a car for a road trip. I am not sure we can drive there.

Two of us have European drivers licenses, the other a US drivers license. I've been looking around and I found plenty of information about driving inside Europe. Particularly EU (European Union), but not much about other countries. I even went to a driving school and asked if I could drive in India. They showed me a list of country's, but India is not listed.

In the other hand I've been speaking with some friends that went there and all of them said they had no trouble. The only issue is that they rented scooters/motorbikes.

Are US / European drivers licenses accepted in India?






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Can I drive in India with US driving license?

All foreign visitors can drive a vehicle in India if they have an international driving permit (IDP) or an Indian license. If you get an international driving license, remember that it's only valid for one year from the date of issue. Make sure you apply for your IDP before you go on your trip.

Can I drive in India with foreign driving license?

According to India's Motor Vehicle Act, a valid Indian driving licence is necessary to drive any motor vehicle on public roads. There're no exemptions for any foreigners or Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to drive in India, says Indian Regional Transport Authority.

Can I get Indian license with USA license?

Those who already have driving licenses in their home countries can apply for a driving license in India without getting a learner's permit. Applicants who wish to get a driving license can apply for it in their nearest RTOs. The applicant must be at least 18 years of age in order to obtain a driving license in India.

How can I convert my international driving Licence to Indian?

Go to the nearest RTO (Regional Transport Office) in the area where you stay. Fill up the required application form for the new driving license. Write a letter stating that you have a foreign driving license, which you wish to convert to an Indian license.



International Drivers Permit: 2021 Guide




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Tim Samuel, Tim Samuel, Tim Samuel, Tim Samuel