License Requirements

International Driving Licenses (IDL) also known as International Drivers Permit (IDP) is permitted in India. Any IDL holder can drive for a period of one year. If you have a plan to stay beyond one year, it is compulsory to get an Indian license. The process of getting a license in India involves two phases - learners and permanent. First, you pass a written test to get learner's license on which you can drive under restrictions for up to one year. Before completion of one year from the issue of learner's license, a driving practical test has to be passed to get a permanent Indian license. This permanent license is valid for a period of at least 20 years.

Some country licenses can be exchanged for an Indian license. Please contact the nearest Regional Transport Office (RTO). For more details on License requirements, please visit their website .

Driving Conditions

It is better not to drive in India if you are visiting India for the first time. In the safer interests of yourself, leave the driving bit to any experienced person in the company. Study and understand the driving style and then seat yourself behind the wheel. To reach Hampi, you would be driving on a state highway or a national highway. Some state highways are very narrow, just wide enough for a vehicle from each side.

Driving is on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right hand side. Honking horn to other users of the road is a means of saying "I am using this road" as against "Get off my way you jerk". Do not feel offended if you hear a lot of honking on you. This is means of communication between the users of the road.