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International Driving Permit Pakistan

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An international driving license or an international driving permit is a document that allows the holder to drive a personal vehicle in any foreign country that identifies the IDP. In Pakistan, the IDP is issued to foreign travelers according to the norms of the Vienna Convention 1968.

What is Vienna Convention?

Vienna Convention is a convention on Road traffic, is an international treaty instituted to facilitate international on-road traffic and to increase safety by launching standard traffic rules between the participating countries. It was finally agreed upon at the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s Conference, between 7th October till 8th November 1968, and finally concluded on 8th November 1968 in Vienna. However, it was implied on Road traffic from 21st May 1977. The conventions of ‘road signals and signs’ were also produced at this conference. The Convention was amended twice, on 3rd September 1993 and on 28th March 2006.

The Vienna Convention on the law of treaties is a global agreement regulating inter-state treaties. It is known as the ‘treaty on treaties’, it launches inclusive protocols, procedures, and guidelines on how the treaties are drafted, defined, changed, interpreted, and functioned.

Why the IDP is needed?

Getting an international driving license, helps you sort out numerous important matters, while you are in a foreign country. If you are a Pakistani resident and planning to relocate from there, a valid international driving license can help you out of any trouble. Hence it is highly advisable to get your international license in Pakistan. Below are step-by-step instructions on getting an international driving license in Pakistan. 

If Pakistani wish to drive a vehicle in a foreign country without any unwanted problems, an international driving permit (IDP) is a must. There are 132 countries across the globe, including Pakistan. However, to avail of IDP, the person must have a valid driving license issued by the concerned authorities of Pakistan.

If you are staying in Pakistan, you will require the following documents for an international driving permit along with a valid driving license:  

  • A copy of residential proof
  • An attested copy of CNIC
  • A copy of Pakistani passport with enough validity
  • 2 passport-sized attested photographs.
  • A court fee ticket depending on the present amount   

 

Suppose you are staying in Islamabad in Pakistan and you have all the above documents, you will require to visit the Citizen Facilitation Centre of Islamabad, located in the G-11/4 Sector. Submit your application form with the required processing fee by yourself. Normally, the procession fee is Rs 350, and if there is an urgent requirement then it is Rs 1050. 

The Citizen facilitation center Islamabad remains open from Monday to Friday. The timings vary from Monday to Thursday but the applications for international driving permits can be submitted between 09:00 am to 01:00 pm. The delivery process of the pending IDPs continues from 09:00 am to 03:00 pm. The delivery and submission timings of the IDPs are different on Fridays, the processes are carried out between 09:00 am to 12:00 pm. 

If you are not from Islamabad and you have a driving license from another territory than Islamabad, you will have to submit some additional documents for acquiring the IDP:

  • A computerized driving license,
  • NOC from the relevant region administration
  • Permanent address proof
  • Temporary residential proof of Islamabad

 

The information regarding the requirements of acquiring the IDP is available on the official Website of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). If there are any amendments in the requirement or fee structure, it can be noted from that website only. 

How is the international driving license helpful for Pakistani residents?

Acquiring an international driving permit may require a bit of hard work, but once you have it, many doors of success get opened for you. It is not just a document for driving but it’s your card for many job opportunities in different countries across the world. If you have an international driving permit and you are good at driving you can apply for driving jobs. You can also apply for jobs in foreign countries which require an international driving permit. 

In many countries, foreigners are not allowed to drive any vehicle or buy a new car unless they have an international driving license issued by the state. Most people apply for an international driving license after relocating to another country and it’s fine. Although, the IDP application and acquiring are done before relocating to another country, a lot of time and effort can be saved. Moreover, when you are in your native country, things are much easier to follow than being in a foreign country. 

Does the international Driving License work as an ID?

Do most people ask that does an international driving license also acts as an identity proof of the holder? Yes, it’s true, many countries across the world accept the international driving license as proof of the holder’s identity. If your ID card is lost somewhere or you want to get a new one issued, the IDL will prove to be very helpful in getting one. while your new ID card is being processed, the international driving license will be acting as your ID. You can carry out your daily activities with its help. 

It contains all the detailed information of the holder, making it similar to an ID card. It may not necessarily replace the requirement of having an ID card. In simple words, if you have an international driving license, it will act as identity proof for you, but it does not remove the need for having an ID card. It is because some countries might not consider it and there will be a need for a separate ID card as well. Those countries, having strict laws and orders will ask for a separate ID card. 

When you apply for an international driving permit from Pakistan, you should keep a few points in mind:

 

  1. The person applying for the license should be present personally at the Citizen Facilitation Centre of Islamabad. This makes the procession work easier.
  2. You must have a valid Pakistani license to obtain an international license. Without it, you won’t be able to get the IDP.
  3. A valid passport and visa are a must.