An International Driving Permit (IDP) allows a Pakistani driver to drive a private vehicle in countries that accept international driving permits. It works alongside your valid Pakistani driving license rather than replacing it. The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration states that the IDP follows the Vienna Convention, 1968, and must remain accompanied by a valid driving license.
Pakistani citizens can apply for an IDP through the relevant licensing authority in their province or territory. Requirements, charges, validity period, and delivery methods can vary by issuing authority.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Document | International Driving Permit (IDP) |
| Main purpose | Driving a private vehicle abroad |
| Local license | Valid Pakistani driving license required |
| Passport | Valid passport generally required |
| Visa | May be required by the issuing authority |
| CNIC | Required |
| Validity | Depends on issuing authority |
| Application method | Office-based or authority-specific service |
Who Can Apply for an International Driving Permit?
A person with a valid Pakistani driving license can apply for an IDP through the relevant licensing authority. The local license should remain valid for the intended travel period.
The Citizen Facilitation Center in Islamabad states that applicants need a valid Pakistani license and personal attendance for biometric verification and a live photograph. Its information also states that an IDP can have a maximum validity of one year.
Common eligibility requirements are:
- Pakistani citizenship or valid Pakistani identity documents
- Valid CNIC
- Valid Pakistani driving license
- Valid passport
- Valid visa, where required
- Personal appearance for biometric or photographic verification
- Payment of the applicable government fee
Documents Required for an International Driving License
The exact paperwork depends on the authority issuing the permit. Islamabad’s official IDP service lists the original Pakistani computerized driving license, original valid passport with valid visa, and original CNIC.
Other authorities can ask for copies, photographs, medical documents, or attested papers.
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| CNIC | Original or copy, depending on authority |
| Pakistani driving license | Valid original/copy |
| Passport | Valid passport |
| Visa | Required by some authorities |
| Photographs | May be requested |
| Medical certificate | Required by some licensing offices |
| Application form | Required at selected offices |
| Fee voucher | Required after fee payment |
How To Make International Driving License in Pakistan
The application process generally follows a few straightforward stages. Your issuing authority may use a slightly different procedure.
Step 1: Check Your Pakistani Driving License
Start with your existing Pakistani driving license. It should remain valid during your planned overseas driving period.
A person with an expired local license may need to renew it before applying for an IDP.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Take your CNIC, Pakistani driving license, passport, visa and other documents requested by your licensing authority.
It helps to carry both originals and photocopies, as different offices may request copies for their records.
Step 3: Visit the Relevant Licensing Authority
Visit the traffic police, licensing office, citizen facilitation center, or other government authority responsible for IDP issuance in your area.
For example, Islamabad provides IDP services through selected Police Khidmat Markaz locations, while the Citizen Facilitation Center at G-11/4 also provides an IDP service.
Step 4: Submit the Application
Submit the required documents at the relevant counter. The official staff checks your information and may take your photograph and biometric details.
The Islamabad CFC procedure lists token issuance, document submission, proof reading, and card preparation as part of its process.
Step 5: Pay the Applicable Fee
Pay the prescribed IDP fee through the payment method provided by the issuing office.
Fees can differ greatly between authorities. For example, Peshawar Traffic Police lists an Rs. 1,000 fee for an International Driving License card with one-year validity, while an NHMP licensing page lists Rs. 5,000 for an International Driving License card with one-year validity.
Because charges can change, check the current fee at your issuing office before payment.
Step 6: Receive Your International Driving Permit
After processing, you can collect your IDP or receive it through the delivery method offered by the authority.
The Islamabad CFC says its IDP card can be prepared within a maximum of 10 minutes after the required counter process. Rawalpindi Traffic Police also mentions postal delivery after payment of the applicable fee and printing/delivery charges.
International Driving License Requirements by Area
Pakistan does not use one identical fee and procedure for every licensing jurisdiction. The issuing authority sets its own service requirements.
| Area / Authority | Documents / Requirements | Validity / Fee Information |
|---|---|---|
| Islamabad CFC | CNIC, valid local license, passport, visa copy where applicable | Maximum 1 year |
| Islamabad ICT Administration | Original CNIC, Pakistani computerized license, passport and valid visa | Authority-specific fee |
| Peshawar Traffic Police | Valid district license, CNIC, medical certificate, passport, visa | Rs. 1,000; 1 year |
| NHMP | Valid license, CNIC, passport, visa, medical certificate | Rs. 5,000; 1 year |
| Faisalabad Traffic Police | Application form, CNIC, local license, passport, visa, photos | Validity stated as 3 years or local license expiry, whichever comes first |
| Rawalpindi Traffic Police | Original driving license, passport and CNIC | Fee plus printing/delivery charges |
The figures above come from official authority pages and can change through revised schedules. Faisalabad Traffic Police, for example, lists three-year IDP validity or the expiry of the national license, whichever comes first.
International Driving License Fee in Pakistan
There is no single nationwide IDP fee that applies to every Pakistani applicant.
The charge depends on the authority issuing the permit. Current official examples show:
- Peshawar Traffic Police: Rs. 1,000 for a one-year International Driving License card.
- National Highways & Motorways Police licensing information: Rs. 5,000 for a one-year International Driving License card.
- Rawalpindi Traffic Police: International Driving License fee plus Rs. 480 for printing and delivery.
- Faisalabad Traffic Police lists a Rs. 22 court fee ticket and Rs. 60 revenue ticket among its requirements.
Always check the fee schedule of your own licensing authority before submitting payment.
How Long Does an International Driving Permit Take in Pakistan?
Processing time depends on the issuing office.
Some offices can issue the document on the same day, while other authorities may send it by post or provide a later collection date.
Islamabad’s Citizen Facilitation Center states that its IDP card can be issued within a maximum of 10 minutes after the application counter process.
Rawalpindi Traffic Police describes a delivery process through the applicant’s postal address.
International Driving Permit Validity in Pakistan
IDP validity varies according to the issuing authority.
Islamabad’s CFC information states that an IDP has a maximum validity of one year. Peshawar Traffic Police also lists one-year validity for its International Driving License service.
Faisalabad Traffic Police lists a different validity period: three years or the expiry of the national driving license, whichever comes first.
This difference makes it important to check the rules of the office issuing your permit.
Can You Drive Abroad With an International Driving Permit?
An IDP helps a Pakistani driver use their domestic driving license in countries that accept the permit. It does not function as a replacement for the original Pakistani driving license.
The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration specifically states that the IDP must accompany a valid driving license.
For an overseas trip, carry:
- Original Pakistani driving license
- International Driving Permit
- Passport
- Visa or residence documents
- Vehicle rental documents, if applicable
- Insurance documents required by the destination country
Which Countries Accept a Pakistani International Driving Permit?
Acceptance depends on the destination country’s laws and the applicable international agreement.
The Islamabad ICT Administration lists many countries under its IDP information, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and several European countries.
A destination country may still apply its own requirements for vehicle rental, insurance, local permits, age limits, or driving duration.
International Driving Permit vs Pakistani Driving License
An IDP and Pakistani driving license serve different purposes.
| Pakistani Driving License | International Driving Permit |
|---|---|
| Authorizes driving under Pakistani licensing rules | Supports driving abroad in countries accepting IDPs |
| Issued by a Pakistani licensing authority | Issued by an authorized Pakistani authority |
| Used as the primary domestic license | Used alongside the domestic license |
| Required for lawful driving in Pakistan | Used mainly for overseas driving |
| Validity depends on local license rules | Validity depends on issuing authority |
Can You Apply for an IDP With an Expired License?
A valid Pakistani driving license forms part of the basic eligibility requirements at several authorities.
The Islamabad CFC specifically states that applicants should have a valid Pakistani license. Peshawar Traffic Police also lists a valid driving license among its IDP requirements.
Renew your local license first, then submit the IDP application.
Can Someone Else Apply on Your Behalf?
Personal attendance may be mandatory for IDP issuance.
The Islamabad ICT Administration states that the applicant must appear personally with the original documents. The CFC also requires the applicant’s presence for biometric verification and a live photograph.
This means applicants should not rely on an agent or another person to complete the entire process.
International Driving Permit for Overseas Pakistanis
Overseas Pakistanis should check the issuing authority’s rules before travelling to Pakistan for an IDP.
The required documents can differ based on the applicant’s location, license issuing authority, passport status, and local licensing record.
For applicants using Islamabad services, the official CFC provides an IDP service and verification facility.
How To Verify an International Driving Permit
Verification options depend on the authority that issued the IDP.
Islamabad’s official information says applicants can verify an IDP through the City Islamabad App by selecting the International Driving Permit verification option and entering the CNIC number.
Keep your IDP number, CNIC details and original Pakistani driving license available for verification purposes.
Common Reasons for Application Problems
Applicants can face delays due to incomplete documents or an invalid local license.
Common issues include:
- Expired Pakistani driving license
- Expired passport
- Missing visa document
- Incorrect CNIC information
- Missing photographs
- Missing medical certificate
- Unpaid or incorrect fee
- Applying at an office that does not serve your licensing jurisdiction
- Differences between information on the passport and driving license
Checking the issuing authority’s latest requirements before visiting can save a second trip.
Tips Before Applying for an International Driving Permit
Keep these points in mind:
- Check your Pakistani driving license expiry date.
- Carry the original CNIC.
- Carry your original passport.
- Keep a valid visa available where the authority asks for one.
- Take photocopies of major documents.
- Carry recent passport-size photographs if your office asks for them.
- Keep the fee amount ready.
- Use the official traffic police or government office.
- Confirm the permit’s validity period.
- Check the destination country’s driving rules before travel.
- Carry both the IDP and Pakistani driving license abroad.
International Driving License in Pakistan Online
Online facilities vary by province and authority. An applicant should not assume that every part of the IDP process can happen online.
Some authorities provide online information, verification, appointment, or status services, while personal attendance may still remain necessary for biometric verification and photography.
Islamabad’s CFC, for example, states that personal attendance is required for biometrics and a live picture.
Final Words
Getting an International Driving Permit in Pakistan requires a valid local driving license, CNIC, passport and the documents requested by the relevant licensing authority. The process generally involves document submission, verification, biometric or photographic checks, fee payment and IDP collection.
Fees and validity differ across Pakistan, so applicants should check their own traffic police or government licensing office before paying any amount. For Islamabad, official information confirms IDP services through designated centers and provides verification facilities through the City Islamabad App.
Is an International Driving Permit the Same as an International Driving License?
The terms are commonly used interchangeably in Pakistan. The formal term used by many government authorities is International Driving Permit or IDP.
Can I use an IDP without my Pakistani driving license?
No. The IDP should accompany your valid domestic driving license. Islamabad’s official IDP information specifically states this requirement.
How much does an International Driving License cost in Pakistan?
The fee depends on the issuing authority. Official examples range from Rs. 1,000 in Peshawar to Rs. 5,000 in NHMP licensing information. Extra charges may apply for printing or delivery.
How long is an IDP valid?
The validity varies by issuing authority. Islamabad CFC and Peshawar Traffic Police list one-year validity, while Faisalabad Traffic Police lists three years or the expiry of the national license, whichever comes first.
Do I need a passport for an IDP?
Yes, a valid passport appears among the requirements listed by several Pakistani authorities, including Islamabad, Peshawar and NHMP services.
Do I need a visa?
Some issuing authorities ask for a valid visa. Islamabad and Peshawar list visa documentation among their IDP requirements.
Can I apply without a Pakistani driving license?
A valid Pakistani driving license forms part of the eligibility requirements for IDP services listed by Islamabad and Peshawar authorities.
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