How to Apply for an International Driving Permit?
2 Answers
International Driving Permit application process: 1. The vehicle owner should bring the motor vehicle driver's license application form, identity proof, motor vehicle driver's physical condition certificate, valid motor vehicle driver's license, and passport-sized photos to the relevant authorities for collection. The application can be processed within two weeks; 2. The vehicle owner can apply directly after arriving in a foreign country. The International Driving Permit was created to allow licensed drivers to drive abroad, and it is necessary to prepare the required documents before applying. When applying for an International Driving Permit, Chinese residents should submit their ID card or temporary ID card, while foreigners should submit the passport or other travel documents they used for entry.
I previously applied for an international driver's license myself, which was specifically prepared for overseas self-driving trips. Actually, it's not a real driver's license in the strict sense, but rather a multilingual translation document that works in conjunction with your domestic driver's license and must be used together with your original license. To apply, you first need to check if you have a valid domestic driver's license that's been held for at least one year, then go to designated institutions like automobile associations to apply. Remember to bring ID photos and a copy of your driver's license, and just fill out an application form. The whole process is quite fast—I submitted my application in the morning and received it in the afternoon. However, note that the validity period is generally only one year, so you need to plan the timing carefully before going to places like Japan or Taiwan. Moreover, nowadays many car rental companies directly accept translated versions of domestic driver's licenses, so sending an email in advance can save a lot of trouble.