Your local driver’s licence is only acceptable for driving in Pakistan; it will not be accepted if you wish to drive a car while abroad. However, you can easily apply for an international driving permit in your city. This blog focuses on the process of acquiring an international driving licence in Islamabad.
The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA), the city’s main civil administration body and law enforcement organisation, is responsible for issuing foreign driving permits.
Graana.com has compiled a step-by-step guide that will help you understand the ICTA procedure and the paperwork you must submit to get an international driver’s licence from Pakistan.
To ensure adequate civil administration, law and order, and other essential services in the federal capital, 25 distinct departments have been created under ICTA. The Deputy Commissioner’s Office, which also issues international driving licences in Islamabad, is one of the departments that carry out a range of administrative and executive responsibilities.
Moreover, if you live in Pakistan and are planning to travel abroad and drive a car there, you will require an international driving permit (IDP). The paper serves as an identification document so that you may legally drive there, although it depends on whether the country in question accepts IDPs or not.
A person who has an IDP and a valid driver’s licence is permitted to operate a motor vehicle in the nations that have been accepted by the Vienna Convention of 1968. The United States and the United Kingdom are also included on a long list of nations that accept IDP.
Below is the list of countries where a driver International license Pakistan is accepted:
| Afghanistan | Algeria | Angola | Argentina | Armenia | Seychelles |
| Australia | Bahamas | Bahrain | Bangladesh | Belarus | Sierra Leone |
| Belize | Benin | Bhutan | Bolivia | Bosnia | Singapore |
| Botswana | Brunei | Bulgaria | Burkina Faso | Cameroon | South Africa |
| Canada | Cape Verde | Central African Republic | Chad | Chile | Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles) |
| Colombia | Djibouti | Ethiopia | Guatemala | Hungary | Sudan |
| Comoros | Dominica | Gabon | Guinea Bissau | Iceland | Surinam |
| Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo) | Dominican Republic | Gambia | Guinea Republic | India | Swaziland |
| Congo | Egypt | Georgia | Guyana | Indonesia | Sweden |
| Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) | El Salvador | Ghana | Haiti | Iran | Syria |
| Czech Republic | Equatorial Guinea | Guadeloupe | Honduras | Italy | Togo |
| Korea (South) | Eritrea | Guam | Hong Kong | Japan | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Kuwait | Macedonia | Montenegro | Nigeria | Jordan | Tunisia |
| Laos | Madagascar | Mozambique | Oman | Kazakhstan | Turkey |
| Lebanon | Malawi | Myanmar (Burma) | Pakistan | Kenya | Uganda |
| Lesotho | Malaysia | Namibia | Panama | Kiribati | Sao Tome and Principe |
| Siberia | Maldives | Nepal | Papua New Guinea | Philippines | Saudi Arabia |
| Libya | Mauritania | New Caledonia | Paraguay | Portugal | USA |
| Macao (Macau) | Mauritius | Nicaragua | Russian Federation | Qatar | UK |
| Senegal | Mexico | Niger | Rwanda | Reunion | Yemen |
| Serbia | St. Vincent | Thailand | Sabah (Malaysia) | Sri Lanka | Zimbabwe |
| St. Lucia | Taiwan | Tanzania | Ukraine | United Arab Emirates | Zambia |
Make sure you have the necessary paperwork with you before applying for an IDP; otherwise, your application may be rejected. It is also required that the applicant must appear in person.
To submit your application, follow the procedure listed below.
The department accepts both regular and urgent applications. The application cost is PKR 500 if you pick the “regular” option, and PKR 1,050 if you select the “urgent” box.
The IDP application centre is open from Monday to Friday. The department’s hours are as follows:
If you live in Pakistan and haven’t applied for a driving licence, you can find relevant information on the Graana blog on how to get a driving licence in other cities of Pakistan.
The fee for an International Driver’s License in Islamabad, Pakistan, can vary based on the issuing authority and any regulation updates.
To obtain an International Driving License in Pakistan, follow these general steps:
Visit the relevant issuing authority, such as the Automobile Association of Pakistan (AAP) or the appropriate District Traffic Police Office.
Fill out an application form for an International Driving License.
Provide necessary documents, including a copy of your valid Pakistani driving license, passport, visa, two passport-sized photographs, and the required fee.
Some authorities might also require a medical certificate to ensure you are fit to drive internationally.
Once you’ve submitted all required documents and paid the fee, your application will be processed, and you’ll receive your International Driving License if approved.
A driving license issued in Islamabad or anywhere in Pakistan is generally invalid for driving in the UK without additional steps. If you plan to drive in the UK, you would typically need to obtain an International Driving License (IDL) from Pakistan or apply for a UK driving license.
An IDL translates your national driving license and allows you to drive temporarily in other countries. However, specific rules and requirements can change, so checking official sources’ latest regulations and requirements is essential.
The acceptance of a Pakistan driving license varies from country to country. Many countries have reciprocal agreements that allow drivers with a valid Pakistani driving license to drive for a limited period using that license. However, the duration of validity and specific requirements can differ.
It’s essential to research and check the regulations of each country before planning to drive there. If you intend to stay in a foreign country for an extended period, you might need to consider applying for an International or obtaining a local driving license.
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