By Elton Gomes
Owning an Indian driver’s licence will now allow you to drive in countries such as the United States of America, Germany, Australia, and South Africa. In an attempt to attract tourists several countries, including Australia, are luring drivers with a valid Indian drivers licence.
Where can you drive with an Indian licence?
According to the Times of India, Indians are allowed to drive in the following countries if they own a valid driver’s licence.
Great Britain. Indians are allowed to drive in England, Scotland, and Wales with the Indian passport up to a year. However, there are certain restrictions on driving only a particular type of vehicle.
France. An Indian driver’s licence will be valid in France provided a French translation of the same is carried along. The licence will be valid for one year.
Norway. Norway too offers self-drive opportunity on an Indian driver’s licence. However, its validity is up to three months from the date of entry.
Germany. Germany allows Indians to drive with an Indian driver’s licence for up to six months from the date of entry.
Switzerland. An Indian driver’s licence will be valid for a year in Switzerland.
Australia. Indians can use their driver’s licence to drive in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Australian Capital Territory with certain riders. Only permitted vehicles can be driven, and Northern Australia permits an Indian licence for up to 3 months only.
New Zealand. An Indian driver’s licence is valid for one year in New Zealand, on the condition that the user has its official translation. The translation has to be approved by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
The United States of America. Most of the states in the US allow Indians to drive with an Indian driver’s licence for up to a year. The licence must be in English and valid. The US authorities also require a copy of the I-94 form, which mentions the date of entry in the US.
South Africa. South Africa accepts an Indian driver’s licence as long as it is in English and has the photograph and signature of the driver. However, an international licence will be required if your car is from a rental place.
Australia looks to boost tourism by allowing Indian driver’s licence
Australia showed interest in a self-driving appeal for tourists, and launched a major campaign last month to attract more travellers from India.
India and Australia have similar basic road rules. Both nations drive on the left hand side of the road, and the cars are of right hand drive variety, making it easier for Indians to plan a self-drive holiday in Australia. In most Australian states and territories except Northern Territory, you are able to drive on an overseas licence as long as it is current, and in English. You can drive vehicles which your overseas licence authorises you to drive, said Nishant Kashikar, Tourism Australias country manager (India & Gulf), the Times of India reported.
Overseas licence holders intending to drive in Australia are required to carry their foreign driver’s licence written in English. If a foreign drivers licence is not in English, drivers will have to carry an official English translation of the licence.
Most American states accept Indian drivers licence
Debolin Sen, from travel company Cox & Kings, said that Indian travellers are becoming increasingly adventurous and are looking forward to immersive travel experiences like a self-drive holiday.
To cater to tourists self-driving needs, specialised tour operators with end-to-end solutions are coming up while several international tourism boards are putting in efforts to display self-drive holidays as a separate product.
For self-drive holidays, the US, western Europe, and New Zealand are the most popular countries (for Indians). These countries also offer better infrastructure for driving, which makes them a safe bet, Sen told the Times of India.
Cox & Kings then mentioned the requirements to be able to drive in the US with an Indian drivers licence. Most states in USA allow Indians to drive up to a year with an Indian driver’s licence. The licence must be in English and valid. Another document that one needs is the copy of the I-94 form that mentions the date of your entry in the US, the travel company said, as per the Times of India report.
Elton Gomes is a staff writer at Qrius