Pune Sees Surge in International Driving License Applications Over Three Years

Pune, 16th January 2025: It has been revealed that the number of people in Pune applying for international driving licenses, which are required to drive abroad, is increasing day by day. In the last three years, more than 13,000 Pune residents have been issued such licenses. The official registration has been done at the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO), and it is clear that the number of international driving license holders has increased.
According to data provided by the Pune RTO office, 4,294 citizens obtained an international driving license in 2022-23, 5,210 in 2023-24, and 3,693 in the last year (up to November 2024). This shows an increase in the number of people obtaining international driving licenses.
The number of people living abroad for work and education is increasing. Such Indian citizens need an international driving license to drive in their host countries. Typically, drivers have to obtain an international driving license from the RTO administration of the country where they are going to stay. However, since the process of going to the processing office in the concerned place is complicated, many citizens prefer to get a driving license from their local RTO before going abroad.
Before 2018, this process had to be done physically, causing delays due to document collection and errors. To make it easier for citizens to get a license, the process was made online in 2018. Accordingly, applicants can now apply online through the ‘Sarathi’ website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of India. Since the necessary documents are collected electronically, this process has become easier to complete from home.
If the applicant already has a driving license, there is no need to drive again or take a test for this international license. However, the current driving license, passport, and visa are verified. After the online process is completed, the applicant is called to the RTO office for physical verification with the original documents. After document verification, an international driving license is issued within a day.
Swapnil Bhosale, Deputy Regional Transport Officer, Pune, stated: “The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of India has provided online and easy facilities. Accordingly, before going abroad, the driving license is issued after verifying the validity of the passport and visa of the concerned person and the documents. The number of people getting international driving licenses has increased in the last two years.”