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DL for expats
I was curious if an expat wants to drive a vehicle in say Mumbai does he/she need an indian driving license or say a US license will work for short periods (less than 2 weeks) as is the case for EU.
If you believe that driving licenses in India are a joke and the system is corrupt please avoid pontificating and responding to my request. The question is intended to determine the correct way to get vehicle driving privileges in India when the chauffeur is not available. Thx. |
Originally Posted by rsh913
(Post 12802019)
I was curious if an expat wants to drive a vehicle in say Mumbai does he/she need an indian driving license or say a US license will work for short periods (less than 2 weeks) as is the case for EU.
If you believe that driving licenses in India are a joke and the system is corrupt please avoid pontificating and responding to my request. The question is intended to determine the correct way to get vehicle driving privileges in India when the chauffeur is not available. Thx. [Still, I would suggest getting a valid international driving permit with it first. AAA issues them for a nominal charge: http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html ] India is a party along with the US in a treaty arrangement that allows licensed drivers from these countries to drive in each others country. Contracting Parties shall recognize: (a) Any domestic permit drawn up in their national language or in one of their national languages, or, if not drawn up in such a language, accompanied by a certified translation; (b) Any domestic permit conforming to the provisions of Annex 6 to this Convention; and (c) Any international permit conforming to the provisions of Annex 7 to this Convention; as valid for driving in their territories a vehicle coming within the categories covered by the permit, provided that the permit is still valid and that it was issued by another Contracting Party or subdivision thereof or by an association duly empowered thereto by such other Contracting Party. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to learner-driver permits. 4. The following particulars appear on the driving permit; they shall be preceded or followed by the numbers 1 to 11. 1. Surname 2. First names 1/ 3. Date and place of birth 2/ 4. Address 3/ 5. Authority issuing the permit 6. Date and place of issue of the permit 7. Date of expiry of the validity of the permit 4/ 8. Number of the permit 9. Signature and/or stamp or seal of the authority issuing the permit 10. Holder's signature 5/ 11. Category or categories of vehicle and any sub-categories for which the permit is valid with indication of the date of issue of the permit and the dates of expiry of the validity for each of those categories. In addition, the holder's photograph shall be affixed to the driving permit. It shall be a matter for domestic legislation to determine any additional particulars to be included in the driving permit as well as the format and the material on which the driving permit is printed. --------- Notes: 1/ Father's or husband's name may be inserted here. 2/ If date of birth is unknown, state approximate age on date of issue of permit. If place of birth is unknown, leave blank. Place of birth may be replaced by other particulars determined by domestic legislation. 3/ The address is optional. 4/ This is optional if the validity of the permit is unlimited. 5/ Or thumbprint. |
Originally Posted by rsh913
(Post 12802019)
If you believe that driving licenses in India are a joke and the system is corrupt please avoid pontificating and responding to my request. The question is intended to determine the correct way to get vehicle driving privileges in India when the chauffeur is not available.
Otherwise a US DL is acceptable |
Thanks.
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Originally Posted by rsh913
(Post 12802019)
I was curious if an expat wants to drive a vehicle in say Mumbai does he/she need an indian driving license or say a US license will work for short periods (less than 2 weeks) as is the case for EU.
If you believe that driving licenses in India are a joke and the system is corrupt please avoid pontificating and responding to my request. The question is intended to determine the correct way to get vehicle driving privileges in India when the chauffeur is not available. Thx. |
I didn't find the RTO in Tamil Nadu particularly corrupt, and obtaining a licence was straightforward once I finished the short drivers test. Other states may be different, Delhi included, but getting an Indian licence is not as bad an experience as it used to be, at least not in big cities.
As for actually driving, I hope you're familiar with manual transmission, or plan in advance to get a car with auto. It can't be too bad for an American to drive in India - other drivers might just give him/her way because they're impressed with the person's bravery :) |
My recent experience with the RTO (where I had to cancel an endorsement on my car's RC book) was entirely trouble free, friendly and polite. As have been several trips over the last few years to the passport office to get additional booklets for my passport.
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Originally Posted by rsh913
(Post 12802019)
I was curious if an expat wants to drive a vehicle in say Mumbai does he/she need an indian driving license or say a US license will work for short periods (less than 2 weeks) as is the case for EU.
If you believe that driving licenses in India are a joke and the system is corrupt please avoid pontificating and responding to my request. The question is intended to determine the correct way to get vehicle driving privileges in India when the chauffeur is not available. Thx. |
As in the case of the rule permitting photography at the airport, it might be useful to carry a copy of the rules from post #2 along with the US license, to show if necessary. I've never had a bad experience by being courteous and reasonable with authorities in India, whether it was the customs, the RTO or police.
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Originally Posted by BlrGuy
(Post 12810954)
As in the case of the rule permitting photography at the airport, it might be useful to carry a copy of the rules from post #2 along with the US license, to show if necessary. I've never had a bad experience by being courteous and reasonable with authorities in India, whether it was the customs, the RTO or police.
Now, FTers are supposed to carry a copy of rules for lounge use that show that they are allowed entry into the lounge, TSA rules about what they are allowed to take trough the checkpoint, and now, rules for DL. It really depends on the officer you are dealing with. I have taken pictures at the Rashtrapati Bhavan with one of the guards identifiably visible. If you are visibly foreign looking, some will go out of their way to help you while some will treat you as a windfall. |
Interesting. I got an IDP just in case, though. I wonder if Avis will rent me a car if I'm not quite 23 yet, though...
If they don't, what exactly is an average daily rate (24 hours, let's say) I can expect to pay for a chauffer (minimal driving, just within BOM city limits)? |
Originally Posted by Mr. Bean
(Post 12881293)
Interesting. I got an IDP just in case, though. I wonder if Avis will rent me a car if I'm not quite 23 yet, though...
If they don't, what exactly is an average daily rate (24 hours, let's say) I can expect to pay for a chauffer (minimal driving, just within BOM city limits)? |
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