Guide to Driving In India - Drive Safe in India

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in India and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

80 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

100-120 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 30mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in India on the Left side  
urban
The currency in India is INR
urban
To rent a car is  18 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in India 1.17 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in India

Driving in India
Pocket guide to driving in India
Profile:
India
New Delhi
INR
Driving in India
SPEED: (kph)
50
80
100-120
Speed limit in India
Holiday:
Rush hour in India
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in India
FUEL:
1.17
1.05
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in India
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
18
Min driving age in India
DRINK:
30mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in India
EMERGENCY:
100
Emergency phone number in India
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in India
PHONES:
NO
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in India
SEATBELTS:
YES
NO
Seat belt in India
See here for current child seats law in India

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in India?

If you're thinking of renting a car and driving in India and feeling a little nervous, you'd be forgiven as you probably should be. If the BBC's Top Gear presenters Clarkson and co. appeared to have trouble navigating the streets of New Dehli by car, whilst an entertainment show, the reality of driving in India wasn't far from the show. The roads can be VERY busy and if you're not prepared for driving in India, potentially very hazardous. Whilst few western tourists rent cars and drive in India, most favouring to travel by taxi, tuk-tuk or rent a car with driver, self-drive car hire is an option. Prepare yourself for a chorus of horn-honking when driving in India and embrace the carnage, but be warned, if excess protection insurance is available, take it with both hands, as chances are you'll pick up a bump or 2 when driving in India!

driving in India

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 100

Police Fire: 102 or 108

Police Ambulance: 101

Notes: An additional emergency number, 112 can be accessed from mobile phones.

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.05

€ 1.17

Jan , 2024

€ 1.03

€ 1.15

Dec , 2023

€ 1.04

€ 1.16

Nov , 2023

€ 1.02

€ 1.14

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking in India is a major concern for the country and cited as one of the main reasons for the congestion witnessed across its major towns and cities. There are currently no regulations / restrictions to public parking on the highway which leads to poor parking standards and feeds into the congestion woes.

In a country that took 60 years to reach 100 million private cars on its roads, but only a further five year to double that amount, the infrastructure simply hasn't caught up with demand. Whilst new legislation is in place to force developers to provide parking (2 spaces per 100m2 residential development), these measures will not address the current parking crisis, rather hopefully stop if getting any worse.

Where public car parks are available (paid), we recommend you seek a space and avoid on street parking, however the reality is that this can be very difficult / impossible at times. An APP / website called Upark.in looks to find the nearest available parking to you across India.

Parking Enforcement
Whilst parking is chaotic at best, if you leave your car in a dangerous position, or it is deemed an obstruction it is likely to be towed away. If you do manage to find paid parking in a car park and overstay your paid period you can expect a parking fine.

Disabled Parking
Provisions for disabled parking in India are very poor. You should find designated spaces in off street car parks, however they are often used / abused.

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 100

Police Fire: 102 or 108

Police Ambulance: 101

What to do in an emergency

In the event of an emergency you should call 100.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

Whilst English is generally well spoken across India, if you are in rural areas where Hindi is preferred, the following phrases will be well received;
 
  • Namaste, Namaskar (nah-mas-kar) and pranam (prah-naam) - Hello
  • kripaya (kruh-pah-yaa) - Please
  • dhanyavad (dhuhn-yuh-vaadh) - Thanks / Thankyou
  • Aap (you) kaise (how) hain (are)? How are you?
  • Aap (you) se milkar (meet) khushi (happiness) huin - Nice to meet you
  • Kya (what) aap (you) English bolte (speak) hain? - Do you speak English?
  • Kya (will) aap (you) meri (me) madad (help) karenge (do)? - Can you help me?

India Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.05

€ 1.17

Jan , 2024

€ 1.03

€ 1.15

Dec , 2023

€ 1.04

€ 1.16

Nov , 2023

€ 1.02

€ 1.14

Oct , 2023

€ 1.07

€ 1.20

Sep , 2023

€ 1.05

€ 1.17

Aug , 2023

€ 1.03

€ 1.15

Jul , 2023

€ 1.03

€ 1.15

Jun , 2023

€ 1.18

€ 1.18

May , 2023

€ 1.05

€ 1.17

Apr , 2023

€ 1.03

€ 1.16

Mar , 2023

€ 1.08

€ 1.20

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Feb , 2024 1.05 1.17
Jan , 2024 1.03 1.15
Dec , 2023 1.04 1.16
Nov , 2023 1.02 1.14
Oct , 2023 1.07 1.20
Sep , 2023 1.05 1.17
Aug , 2023 1.03 1.15
Jul , 2023 1.03 1.15
Jun , 2023 1.18 1.18
May , 2023 1.05 1.17
Apr , 2023 1.03 1.16
Mar , 2023 1.08 1.20
Phil Partridge
Posted by Phil Partridge
About the Author -

Travel writer, car rental guru, Phil has rented cars all over the world and shares his knowledge and experience on the Rhinocarhire.com Blog. Favourite country to visit: France.

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