Sindh International Driving Permit Fee: Rs 1,100 for 1 Year, Rs 2,500 for 3, and the Documents
Sindh international driving permit fee: Rs 1,100 for 1 year, Rs 1,800 for 2, Rs 2,500 for 3. Documents, TCS delivery, and the validity point to check first.
Short answer: an International Driving Permit (IDP) from Driving License Sindh costs Rs 1,100 for 1 year, Rs 1,800 for 2 years or Rs 2,500 for 3 years, on the DLS fee page we read on 9 November 2026. You need a valid Pakistani driving licence, your original CNIC and a copy of your passport's front page. DLS says processing takes 10 to 15 minutes and TCS delivers the permit in 3 to 5 working days.
People from Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur who leave for work, study or a holiday abroad often want to drive in the first weeks before they can get a local licence. An international driving permit lets them do that in many countries. This guide covers the Sindh international driving permit fee, the documents, where to apply, and the points the DLS pages leave unclear.
DLS is the licensing unit of Sindh Police. Its public website is dls.sindhpolice.gov.pk, and its helpline is 021-35379999.
Sindh international driving permit fee: Rs 1,100 to Rs 2,500
The DLS fee page has an International Permit tab with three options. A 1 year permit costs Rs 1,100, a 2 year permit Rs 1,800 and a 3 year permit Rs 2,500. The longer permits cost less per year.
| Permit length | DLS fee | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | Rs 1,100 | Rs 1,100 |
| 2 years | Rs 1,800 | Rs 900 |
| 3 years | Rs 2,500 | about Rs 833 |
DLS marks the 2 year permit as "popular". The fee page also says the permit is non-refundable once issued. So pick the length you need before you pay.
The page does not say whether the Rs 38 or Rs 55 TCS delivery charge, listed among the fixed charges for licences, is added to an IDP. Expect it to be, since DLS says the permit is delivered by TCS.
The DLS pages disagree on how long a permit lasts
The fee page sells permits for 1, 2 or 3 years. But the DLS verification page says international driving permits "are valid for one year". Both are DLS pages, read on the same day, and we cannot tell you which is right.
This matters for two reasons. First, you do not want to pay Rs 2,500 for a 3 year permit if a foreign police officer will only accept one year. Second, many countries accept an IDP only for your first months as a visitor or new resident, whatever the permit says. After that they want a local licence.
So before you pay, do two things:
- Call DLS on 021-35379999 and ask what validity the permit will carry.
- Check the driving rules of the country you are going to, on its own transport authority's website or with its embassy.
A permit also never lasts longer than the Pakistani licence behind it. If your licence expires in 8 months, renew it first. Our guide to the Sindh licence renewal fee lists every renewal price.
Documents you need for a Sindh IDP
DLS lists three documents for an international driving permit: a valid Pakistani driving licence, your original CNIC and a copy of your passport's front page only. Keep the original licence with you abroad, because DLS says the permit must be carried with it.
| Document | What DLS asks for |
|---|---|
| Driving licence | A valid Pakistani driving licence |
| Identity | Original CNIC |
| Passport | Copy of the front page only |
DLS does not list a visa or ticket on this page. Other licensing authorities in Pakistan do ask for one. NHMP's rules, for example, ask for a passport and visa for its permit. Carry your visa copy anyway in case the counter asks.
How to apply for an international driving permit in Sindh
DLS says an IDP is processed in 10 to 15 minutes and delivered by TCS in 3 to 5 working days. The website shows an "Apply" button for each permit length, which leads to the DLS Online portal.
- Check your licence. It must be valid. Renew it first if it is close to expiry.
- Pick the length. Choose 1, 2 or 3 years on the DLS fee page, after you confirm the validity with DLS.
- Apply online or at a branch. The fee page links to DLS Online. When we read the older DLS site on 1 October 2026, it said IDPs were issued at 3 branches: Clifton and Nazimabad in Karachi, and Hyderabad.
- Pay the fee. DLS lists card, mobile banking and wallet, bank transfer and cash at DLS offices.
- Wait for TCS. DLS says the permit reaches you in 3 to 5 working days. Allow at least a week before your flight.
On 9 November 2026 the DLS Online portal showed us a "Just a moment" security check before loading. In a normal browser, that check usually clears in a few seconds. We did not apply, because it needs a real licence and passport.
Do not rely on the branch addresses on the new DLS site. On 9 November 2026 its branch page showed numbers such as +92-21-1234-5678, which look like sample entries. Call the helpline first.
Sindh, Punjab and NHMP permits compared
The Sindh permit is not the only choice. Punjab and NHMP issue their own, and the fees differ. A Pakistani licence holder normally applies where the licence was issued.
NHMP's licensing rules list an IDP fee of Rs 800 for one year, for holders of an NHMP licence in Islamabad. Punjab's fees are in our guide to the Punjab international driving licence. Our general page on the international driving permit in Pakistan explains what the permit is and who needs it.
Common questions
What is the international driving permit fee in Sindh?
Rs 1,100 for 1 year, Rs 1,800 for 2 years and Rs 2,500 for 3 years, on the Driving License Sindh fee page read on 9 November 2026.
How long does a Sindh IDP take?
DLS says processing takes 10 to 15 minutes and TCS delivers the permit in 3 to 5 working days.
Which documents do I need for an IDP in Karachi?
A valid Pakistani driving licence, your original CNIC and a copy of your passport's front page, according to DLS. Carry a visa copy too in case it is asked for.
Can I get an IDP without a Pakistani driving licence?
No. DLS lists a valid Pakistani driving licence as a requirement, and says the permit must be carried with the original licence.
Is the IDP fee refundable?
No. The DLS fee page says the permit is non-refundable once issued.
How can I verify a Sindh international driving permit?
The DLS verification page has an international permit check that asks for the permit number and passport number. We did not test it, because it needs a real permit.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked on 9 November 2026. The three permit fees, the documents, processing time, TCS delivery and the non-refundable rule are from the International Permit tab on the Driving License Sindh fee page. The one year validity line is from the DLS verification page. The three IDP branches are from the older DLS site, which we read on 1 October 2026 and which no longer loads. We did not apply for a permit or call DLS.
About the author
Tax, Bills and Technology Writer
Ali Akhtar is a young and curious voice here at Pakistan Era. He is currently pursuing his A-Levels and has a growing interest in Pakistan’s changing industrial landscape and educational trends. Ali likes to write in a way that helps him explain and explore the world around him. His writing reflects the perspective of the new generation navigating the evolving trends of Pakistan where technology, youth innovation, and shifting opportunities are reshaping the country’s future.
