Delhi International Driving Permit (IDP) 2025: Online Application, Documents & One-Year Validity Rules

Introduction

If you are a Delhi resident planning to drive in the US, Canada, Europe or the Middle East in 2025, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is almost as important as your passport. Delhi’s Transport Department now routes IDP applications through the Sarathi (Parivahan) portal, with a standardised one-year validity format and growing support through doorstep services.

This guide is fully Delhi-specific and updated for 2025. It explains:

• What an International Driving Permit is and why countries still insist on it, even if they accept Indian licences.
• How the new one-year validity and standard booklet format works for Delhi residents.
• Where and how to apply in Delhi – online via Sarathi, offline at zonal RTOs and doorstep delivery.
• What documents you need and how to handle renewal while you are abroad.

We will also show where Fateh Legacy fits in – especially if you want your Delhi driving licence and vehicle documents in order before long-term travel, ownership transfer or relocation.

1. What is an International Driving Permit (IDP) & why it matters in 2025

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official translation of your Indian driving licence into multiple languages (such as English, French, Spanish and Russian) in a prescribed UN convention format. It:

• Allows you to legally drive self-drive rentals and private cars in many countries that follow the 1949 Geneva Convention.
• Helps foreign police, rental agencies and insurance companies read your licence details quickly.
• Reduces disputes with insurers abroad if there is an accident, because your licence details are clearly mapped.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has clarified that IDPs issued in India are generally valid for one year from the date of issue, or until your domestic licence expires – whichever is earlier.

In 2025, many destinations still insist on (or strongly recommend) carrying an IDP alongside your Indian licence. For example, travel coverage about where Indian licences are accepted highlights that countries like Italy explicitly treat IDP validity as one year and expect travellers to carry it with their Indian DL, as noted by Hindustan Times .

2. New one-year validity & standardised booklet rules

2.1 Standardised IDP booklet with QR code

In August 2022, MoRTH notified a standardised format for IDPs issued across India. Under this:

• Every state, including Delhi, must issue IDPs in a uniform booklet format.
• The booklet carries a QR code that links to driver information in the backend system.
• The validity of the IDP (typically one year from date of issue) is printed very clearly.

For a Delhi-issued IDP in 2025, this means:

• It will normally be valid for 12 months from the date of issue (subject to your DL validity).
• Foreign authorities can verify it more easily because of the QR-based data and uniform layout.
• The format is the same as IDPs issued in other Indian states.

2.2 Why “one year” matters for Delhi travellers

For Delhi residents going to the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, UAE and other hubs, trips are often long (6–12 months). You don’t want your IDP to expire mid-way through a work assignment, study programme or long stay. Travel explainers for 2025 repeatedly highlight this one-year standard and advise carrying an IDP even in countries that sometimes allow short-term driving with just an Indian licence, again reflected in the Hindustan Times coverage cited earlier.

In practice:

• Apply close to your travel date – for example 7–10 days before flying – to maximise your one-year window.
• If your Indian driving licence expires within the next 12 months, renew the DL first. Otherwise, your IDP will stop being valid on the DL’s expiry date, even if there are months left on the one-year IDP.

3. Delhi-specific trends: who is taking IDP from Delhi?

The Delhi Transport Department has seen a steady rise in IDP applications as international travel resumed after Covid. An analysis based on Delhi Transport data reported by The Indian Express noted that:

• IDP demand quickly returned to pre-Covid levels.
• A large share of permits were issued for travel to the US and Canada.
• Hundreds more were issued for UK, UAE, France and Ireland.
• IDPs in Delhi are issued through zonal offices of the State Transport Authority and are valid for one year.

By 2025, this pattern has intensified. More Delhi students, IT professionals, healthcare workers and families are heading to North America, Europe and Australia, making IDP a routine checklist item along with visa, insurance and forex.

If you are also planning a medium or long-term move, you may want to tidy up your vehicle ownership records in Delhi before leaving. Fateh Legacy assists with this through services such as:

Ownership Transfer in DL05 (Loni Road, Delhi) – Streamline RC transfer before shifting abroad

4. Where can Delhi residents apply for an IDP?

In Delhi, you effectively have three channels to obtain an International Driving Permit:

1. Online application via Sarathi (Parivahan), with a visit to the RTO for verification and booklet issue.
2. Offline application directly at the concerned Delhi RTO / Zonal Office.
3. Doorstep services (as and when fully activated for IDP in your area).

4.1 Online (Sarathi) – Delhi flow

The Sarathi portal (sarathi.parivahan.gov.in) is the national gateway for driving-licence services: learner licence, DL renewal, DL services and International Driving Permit.

For Delhi:

• Select “Delhi (DL)” as your state on the Sarathi portal.
• Choose “Services on Driving Licence” and then the specific service “International Driving Permit (IDP)”.
• The system routes your application to the RTO that issued your Delhi licence.

4.2 Offline at Delhi RTO / Zonal Offices

As per Delhi Transport information and RTI-based coverage summarised in news reports, IDPs are issued through the same zonal offices that handle DL services. The Indian Express article cited above confirms that IDPs in Delhi are issued by zonal offices of the State Transport Authority.

In practice:

• If your DL is issued from a specific RTO code (for example DL01, DL3C, DL10), your IDP is usually handled by that same zonal office.
• Walk-in slots may be limited; most offices now insist on online appointment booking via Sarathi or the Delhi Transport portal.

4.3 Delhi “Doorstep Delivery” for IDP

The Delhi government’s doorstep service scheme is being expanded to cover more transport services. A report in The Times of India from May 2023 mentions that International Driving Permit is among the services proposed for doorstep delivery, allowing citizens to apply without physically visiting government offices.

By 2025, you can expect:

• IDP to appear as a selectable service in Delhi’s doorstep portal / helpline.
• A mobile sahayak to collect documents and fees from your address.
• The physical IDP booklet to be delivered to your home, similar to some RC or DL services.

5. Eligibility for IDP in Delhi (2025)

Combining central rules with media explainers on IDP eligibility, a typical Delhi applicant should satisfy these conditions:

• Minimum age: 18 years or above.
• Citizenship: Indian citizen (IDP is not issued in India to foreign nationals).
• Valid Driving Licence:
  • Issued in Delhi (or at least in India; but a Delhi IDP is normally issued only against a DL recorded in the Delhi database).
  • Must be valid on the date of IDP issue.
• Purpose of travel:
  • Proof of travel abroad such as air ticket, visa, admission letter or job letter.
• No disqualifications or suspensions on your DL record.
• Application timing:
  • Ideally within 3 months of your travel date, not after you have already left.

If your DL was originally issued in another state and you now live in Delhi, you may first want to shift your DL record to Delhi (change of address / transfer via Sarathi) before seeking IDP here. Related to that broader cleanup, Fateh Legacy helps with inter-state movement of vehicles and NOC through services such as:

NOC in DL10 (Raja Garden, Delhi) – Support for moving vehicles between states before long-term travel

6. Documents required for International Driving Permit in Delhi

Based on Delhi Transport information, Form 4A, MoRTH guidelines and multiple news explainers, keep the following documents ready for a smooth IDP application:

• Application Form 4A – specific form for issue of IDP (available on Sarathi or at the RTO).
• Valid Delhi Driving Licence (original + photocopy).
• Valid Passport – original + copy of the photo page and address page.
• Valid Visa for the destination country (where applicable) or a valid residence permit.
• Proof of confirmed travel:
  • Air ticket / booking confirmation / joining letter / university admission letter.
• Recent passport-size photographs as per current RTO specification.
• Medical Certificate in Form 1A – often required if your age or vehicle category so demands.
• Proof of Delhi address, if not already updated in DL records (Aadhaar, utility bill, rent agreement, etc.).
• Self-attested copies of all documents.
• Fee payment receipt (from online payment or RTO counter).

Under Delhi’s doorstep service listing for IDP, the government fee is around ₹1,030 plus a doorstep service fee of about ₹42.37 (plus any applicable convenience charges). Exact amounts can change, so always confirm the latest fee on the Sarathi or Delhi Transport portal at the time of application.

Before international travel, many Delhi residents also prefer to clean up old loan entries and damaged documents linked to their vehicle, especially if they are considering sale or export. Fateh Legacy supports this through:

Hypothecation Removal in DL12 (Vasant Vihar, Delhi) – Clear bank loan entry from your RC

7. Step-by-step: Online IDP application for Delhi (Sarathi)

Here is a Delhi-specific 2025 flow using the Sarathi portal:

Step 1 – Visit the Sarathi portal

• Go to sarathi.parivahan.gov.in.
• Select “Delhi (DL)” from the list of states.

Step 2 – Select the correct service

• Click on “Services on Driving Licence (Renewal / Duplicate / Others)”.
• Choose “Issue of International Driving Permit (IDP)” from the service list.

Step 3 – Enter DL details

• Input your Delhi DL number and date of birth.
• Verify that the system shows the correct name, address and RTO.

Step 4 – Fill IDP application (Form 4A online)

• Select the countries you intend to visit.
• Mention your proposed travel period.
• Confirm vehicle categories (LMV, two-wheeler etc.) that match your DL.

Step 5 – Upload documents

• Upload clear scans of passport, visa, DL, photo, Form 1A and proof of travel.
• Ensure that your name matches exactly across DL, passport and visa.

Step 6 – Book appointment (if required)

• Many Delhi RTOs require an online appointment for document verification and IDP printing, even if the application is initiated online.

Step 7 – Pay the fee online

• Pay the government fee (around ₹1,000+) and any convenience charge via Netbanking, cards or UPI.

Step 8 – Visit your Delhi RTO / Zonal Office

• Carry all original documents for verification.
• Biometric verification or a fresh photograph may be taken, if required.

Step 9 – Collection / dispatch of IDP booklet

• In some cases, the IDP booklet is issued on the same day.
• In others, it may take 2–3 working days.
• Under doorstep delivery, the booklet may be couriered to your address instead of requiring another visit.

Mainstream explainers from outlets like India Today and The Times of India mirror these steps at an all-India level; Delhi’s unique twist is the zonal RTO mapping and deeper integration with doorstep services.

8. Step-by-step: Offline IDP process at Delhi RTO

If you prefer the traditional route, you can still apply for an IDP offline at your zonal RTO in Delhi:

1. Download or collect forms
   Download Form 4A & Form 1A from the portal or collect them from the RTO counter.
2. Fill the forms clearly
   Fill all details in BLOCK letters, ensuring they match your DL and passport exactly.
3. Attach photocopies
   Attach photocopies of DL (both sides), passport, visa, air ticket, address proof and photographs.
4. Get Form 1A signed
   Obtain a medical certificate in Form 1A signed and stamped by a registered medical practitioner, especially if your age or vehicle class requires it.
5. Visit your zonal RTO
   Go to the zonal office that issued your DL with the full file.
6. Submit file & pay fees
   Submit the file at the “Driving Licence / IDP” counter and pay fees in cash/card as allowed.
7. Collect acknowledgement
   Collect an acknowledgement mentioning the expected date of IDP issue.
8. Receive your IDP booklet
   Return on the assigned date to collect the booklet, or receive it by post / courier if that facility is offered by your RTO.

For applicants whose DL data or RC-linked records are unclear (for example, name mismatch due to a torn or lost RC), it is often wise to fix document issues first. Fateh Legacy helps with such situations through:

Duplicate RC in DL07 (Mayur Vihar, Delhi) – Replace lost or damaged RC before key applications

9. Renewal of IDP while abroad – why 2020–2021 rule changes matter

Earlier, if your IDP expired while you were abroad, there was no practical way to renew it without returning to India. Recognising this gap, MoRTH notified rule changes that allow:

• Renewal of IDP through Indian embassies and missions abroad.
• Indian missions to relay the request to the relevant RTO in India via the Vahan system.
• The renewed IDP to be couriered to your overseas address, subject to mission procedures.

For a Delhi resident:

• Your original IDP is still issued by your Delhi RTO.
• If it expires mid-stay, you now have a policy framework that allows renewal from abroad, provided your local mission has implemented the process.

This makes the one-year validity rule more practical – you are not completely stuck if your assignment or study programme gets extended unexpectedly.

Conclusion

In 2025, an International Driving Permit has become a standard requirement for many Delhi residents who want to drive in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, UAE and beyond. With a one-year validity, a standardised booklet format and growing doorstep service support, the process is far more structured than it used to be.

• Check your DL validity and destination country rules well before travel.
• Apply 7–10 days before your flight so your one-year IDP window aligns with your trip.
• Ensure all documents and address details are consistent across DL, passport and visa.
• If your trip may get extended, keep in mind the renewal-from-abroad option through Indian missions.

If you feel stuck at any stage – whether it is DL renewal, address update, Duplicate RC, hypothecation removal or NOC linked to a future relocation – Fateh Legacy can help you prepare your Delhi documentation so that your IDP application is smooth and your international driving experience is legally compliant.

How Fateh Legacy helps with IDP & related RTO work in Delhi

Getting an International Driving Permit depends directly on the status of your Delhi driving licence, linked vehicle records and supporting documents. In real life, Delhi residents often face a chain of issues: DL validity, address updates, RC hypothecation, Duplicate RC and NOC before travel.

This is where Fateh Legacy can become your structured RTO partner:

• DL-centric support – ensuring your driving licence is valid, correctly endorsed and mapped before you apply for IDP.
• End-to-end assistance for DL services such as renewals, additions of categories and address updates via:
  Driving License in DL02 (Tilak Marg, Delhi) – New DL, renewals & endorsements
• Vehicle document clean-up – support for Duplicate RC, hypothecation removal and NOC so that your overall documentation is future-ready for travel, export or sale.