Driving in India: licences, car rental and road rules

Match the option to your route before you commit. Costs are 2026 estimates and vary by state, season and vehicle class.

Licence first. A foreign visitor driving in India is generally expected to carry a valid home licence plus an International Driving Permit, but rules and enforcement vary by state — confirm current requirements with your rental company and the local transport authority before pickup (check). Some companies also ask for a passport copy and a local address.

Rental second. Self-drive companies operate in Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, Karnataka and the big cities, with small hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs. Expect a security deposit, a kilometre cap on some contracts, and an insurance excess you may have to pay upfront and claim back. Driver-included rentals are the norm elsewhere: the parent country facts put a car with driver at ₹3,500–5,500 a day including driver, fuel and tolls, but inclusions vary — agree the driver's night allowance, parking and tolls before the first morning.

Driving third. Traffic keeps left and cars are right-hand drive (check). City traffic mixes cars, motorbikes, autos, cyclists, pedestrians and, in places, cattle. Signage is in English and the local script on national highways. Speed limits are posted but widely ignored; cameras and interceptor patrols issue fines. Fuel is sold by the litre; payment methods vary by pump, so carry cash for rural stretches (check).

Paperwork on the road: keep the licence, IDP, rental agreement, insurance and any state permit in the car. Police checks are routine on highways and at state borders.

The biggest risk is not the road rules but the volume and unpredictability of traffic. Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru congestion can turn a 20 km trip into 90 minutes; a driver who knows the city is worth more than a cheaper self-drive rate. Outside the metros, main highways are reasonable and the scenery does the work.

Drivers on package tours often earn commission at shops, restaurants and handicraft emporiums. Say clearly that you do not want shopping stops, and expect the itinerary to change if you do not. Agree the daily hours, the night allowance and whether tolls and parking are included before the first morning.

Monsoon (June–September) can bring flooded roads and landslides on hill routes such as the Himalayan North; check conditions locally and avoid night driving on mountain roads. In the far north and northeast, some routes need inner-line or protected-area permits, and checkpoints are common.

Insurance: standard rental cover usually carries a high excess, and your travel policy may not cover driving a rental car abroad. Check both before you drive; see our travel insurance page.