Int’l driver’s licence on A4 sheet comes in for criticism

Anupam Bhagria

Advertisement

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 4

Those applying for an international driving licence have some inhibitions. Reason: The paper which the District Transport Office certifies as their “international” licence is nothing but a simple A4 sheet.

A city resident, who was issued an international licence recently, said: “I planned a visit to a neighbouring country by road a few weeks ago and I applied for the international driving licence. The document issued by the DTO under the name of international licence was on a simple A4 sheet signed by the District Transport Officer. I asked the employee concerned to provide me a document in some better shape, but they refused saying that this was the only document that is issued.”

Talking to the Tribune, another city resident said he had cancelled his plan to drive in foreign countries when he saw this simple A4 sheet. He said: “No one will consider it authentic in case someone checks it abroad.”

Anil Garg, District Transport Officer, Ludhiana, said: “The international licence is issued the same all over on an A4 sheet. Earlier, it used to be in a copy form. But now it is a simple sheet. Each country has its own rules and regulations. We cannot ensure an applicant that his licence would be considered in a foreign land or not.”

He said several people have issued their international licence from here before leaving for abroad. “In a few countries, they get exemption from not undergoing some driving tests on the basis of this international licence. But they have to appear for other driving tests,” he said.

He said: “Rules differ from one country to another so it is difficult to ascertain if this document will save them there or not.”