Need some quick help.

Went to the Zurich licensing office and asked for and IDP - 15 francs later, got an IDP, no questions asked.

The only issue is, it's the 1968 convention, not the 1949 convention.

Does anyone know if I can get the 1949 version in Switzerland? Some of the countries I'm going to don't accept the 1968...

M.

Doubtful, as Switzerland did not ratify the 1949 version.

Tom

With a bit of pressure you may get the 1926 version.

List of countries at the end of: https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classifi...018/index.html

Are you going anywhere interesting?

I had a IDP and I never had to show it anywhere, ever.

Thanks! The '26 version still lists SIAM as a country

Oman, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam for this trip... a short one.

Have had to use an IDP many times before (and a CdP, which was a pain to get in the UK).

Thailand is covered then. It also list Colonies Françaisess, which should cover Vietnam and Cambodia. Only Oman is still an issue

PS: Vietnam is I ratification party of the 1968 Convention.
Thailand signed but never ratified the 1968 Convetion, normally that means they should honor the 1968 version.
(Like Switzerland which signed but never ratified the 1949 version)
https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDe...dsg3&clang=_en
https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classifi...244/index.html

You may be succeful in getting a 1949, as Switzerland at least signed it:
https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDe...dsg5&clang=_en

Intrestingly I did not see Oman as a signatory state on any of those conventions.

__________________
What?

In Oman, an IDP is probably green with a $10 symbol on it...

I found the middle east generally prefers the 1949 version as it has Arabic translations (the 68 doesn't).

Oh well, Oman is only a few days, I'll try not to get into a situation where I need it!

Bumping an old thread - as I again need a 1949 IDP allegedly. This time for India (1949) and Nepal (1968).


Has anyone:
- either managed to get a 1949 IDP? OR
- have you driven a commercial vehicle in India (rickshaw) with a 1968 IDP?

So this is the paperwork that keeps on giving (in a bad way).


Went to TCS today to get a 1968 IDP, and ask what to do about India...


They had no clue about the 1926, 1948 and 1968 variants, and can only issue a 1968 which is not valid in India. Yay.


So I opted to get that anyhow... but then found out that they put my "heimatort" as "GB"... which would be ok, except the official translation in English on the IDP is "Place of Birth" - which is NOT GB for me.



I am a British citizen; but wasn't born there.


The refused to change this, as my driving license says my "heimatort" is GB... which is true... but not where I was born...




Ufffffffff.......

Isn’t a IDP a translation? Wouldn’t an English or Hindi translation suffice?

Sadly no - India, Japan and some middle-eastern countries demand an IDP that complies with the 1949 convention...



Especially as we are going into protected territory on the border with Pakistan and China; we've been told that the paperwork is a bit more "challenging"

Have you asked on any Swiss online travel forums?
Many Swiss people drive through India so there must be a way to get one.

If time is not a problem, you can get one when you are there (with appropriate paperwork).

Or pay a lot and get one online:

It is an translation which has a specific format (as defined in the corresponding treaties) and can only be issued by specific authorities. Those are usually the automobile clubs of the country which has issued the original driving license. So, it is not just a simple translation done by someone.

The IDP should reflect what is on the driving license. A quick glance in the 1968 treaty shows:

I would say all is fine and correct.

I asked on Reddit - no responses. Also, not sure many Swiss people drive in India. I was looking at renting a car for the first 4 days before we get the rally vehicle, and it was practically impossible. Everyone seems to rent a car with a driver, no "self-drive"... (ok, it's not Delhi... but still...)



You cannot get it "there" - as the IDP must be issued by the country that issues your driving license. It's not a standalone document, but a complement to your normal domestic driving license.


I've seen a few of the fake online ones, and am tempted... as a last resort I guess... but they are precisely that, as they are fake...

Things may have changed but there used to be many Swiss doing the overland trip - in their own vehicles. They must have got the 1949 IDP somehow.

They don't hire cars there.

They are probably not doing it currently on the usual route as the Pakistan/Iran border is closed.

I'm surprised someone at the TCS is not more helpful.

Yes, you're right.

I never showed an IDP when driving in India for six months but I did have one - and it was some time ago.

You could also enquire at the Kantonal office. I'm assuming Zurich in your case:

https://www.zh.ch/de/mobilitaet/fueh...rerschein.html