Driving License Apostille from MEA, India
Driving license apostille for a driver job, a residence file or a license exchange abroad. Your Indian license stays with you in use; we work on a notarised true copy, get it attested by the SDM in Delhi and apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs, then courier it back to you.
Driving license apostille: quick answer
Driving license apostille means the MEA apostille sticker on a notarised true copy of your Indian driving license. A modern license is a plastic smart card, so nothing can be fixed on the card itself. The MEA also does not legalise plain photocopies. A notary therefore certifies a copy, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Delhi authenticates the notary, and the MEA then adds the apostille.
INFINITYGRO handles the notary, SDM and MEA stages in Delhi for Rs 1,000–1,500 per license, all-inclusive, usually in 2–3 working days. Courier is extra. The license can be from any state’s RTO. For the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait the copy needs MEA attestation and embassy legalisation instead.
Why an overseas office wants your license apostilled
A foreign employer or office cannot easily check an Indian license against RTO records. The apostille tells them the copy was certified and checked through Indian authorities before it left the country.
Driver and operator jobs
Recruiters for heavy vehicle, bus, taxi and delivery jobs abroad often ask for a legalised copy of the Indian license with the visa file.
License exchange or a local test
Some countries let you exchange a foreign license or skip part of the test if you prove driving history. They may ask for an apostilled copy and a translation.
Identity and residence files
A driving license is sometimes added as a second identity document in residence, family or company files where every paper must be legalised.
Smart card, booklet or digital license: what can be apostilled
Accepted for the apostille
- A smart card license that is currently valid
- An older booklet or laminated license that is still valid
- Both sides copied, including vehicle classes and validity dates
- Name and date of birth matching your passport
Ask us first
- A license that has expired or is due for renewal
- Only a DigiLocker or mParivahan screen copy
- A learner’s license
- A spelling difference between the license and the passport
- A damaged card where the photo or number is unclear
If your name differs from the passport, the receiving office may also want a name affidavit. We can apostille the affidavit in the same batch as the license.
Driving license apostille process with INFINITYGRO
- 1Photo on WhatsAppSend a photo of both sides of the license and your passport front page, and name the country. We confirm the route and total in writing.
- 2Hand over the licenseDrop the card at our New Ashok Nagar office or courier it. We need it only to make the certified copy.
- 3Notary and SDMA Delhi notary certifies a true copy, then the SDM attests the notary’s seal and signature.
- 4MEA apostilleThe copy goes to the MEA through its outsourced collection centre and receives the apostille sticker.
- 5ReturnYour original card and the apostilled copy come back together by Blue Dart or another secure courier.
Because the card is used every day, many clients in Delhi wait while the copy is made, or collect the card the same day and leave only the copy with us.
Apostille or embassy attestation for your license?
Apostille countries
Members of the Hague Apostille Convention accept the MEA sticker alone. Examples: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Norway and South Korea.
The HCCH status table lists every member. Also check whether the receiving office needs a translation of the license.
Papers often legalised along with a license
Driver visas and residence files usually list several documents. Sending them together means one courier and one MEA submission.
Driving license apostille fees and time
| MEA apostille, personal or educational document | Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per document, all-inclusive: notary, SDM attestation, the Rs 50 MEA fee and our service |
|---|---|
| Usual time | 2–3 working days in Delhi after the document reaches us |
| Courier | Extra, both ways |
| Translation | Quoted by language and page |
For the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait the MEA stage is the same Rs 1,000–1,500 and the embassy fee is extra; it is confirmed in your written quote.
FAQs: Driving License Apostille from MEA, India
Is the apostille fixed on my driving license card?
No. A smart card cannot carry the sticker, and the MEA does not legalise a plain photocopy. The apostille goes on a true copy that a notary has certified and the SDM has attested. Your card is returned to you unchanged.
How much does a driving license apostille cost?
Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per license in total. That covers the notary, the SDM attestation, the Rs 50 MEA fee and our service. Courier both ways is extra, and any translation is quoted by language.
How long will it take?
Usually 2 to 3 working days in Delhi once the license reaches us. If you courier it from another city, add the transit time both ways. Clients in Delhi can drop it at our office and collect it.
My license is from another state. Is that a problem?
No. The notary and SDM stage in Delhi works for a license issued by any RTO in India. You do not need to visit your home state. Just make sure the license is valid and readable.
Can my expired license be apostilled?
Many receiving offices will reject an expired license even if it carries an apostille, and the notary may refuse to certify it. Renew it with your RTO first, or send us a photo so we can tell you what is possible.
Does a driving license apostille let me drive abroad?
Not by itself. Driving rights abroad depend on that country’s rules, and many ask for an International Driving Permit or a local license. The apostille only proves that your Indian license copy has been authenticated.
Do I need an apostille for a driver job in Dubai?
No. The UAE does not accept the apostille. The license copy needs MEA attestation, then UAE Embassy legalisation in New Delhi and UAE MOFA attestation online. We handle the full chain, usually in 5 to 7 working days.
Can someone else send my license for apostille?
Yes. A family member can drop it off or courier it with a copy of your passport and a short authorisation note. The MEA does not need you to be present. We return everything to the address you give us.
Official sources
Get your driving license apostilled
WhatsApp a photo of your document and the country it is for. We confirm the route, time and total in writing before you send anything.
Office: C – 5 A/2 New Ashok Nagar, Delhi – 110096 · Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM · office drop-off or courier, no home pickup
Related guides
Disclaimer: INFINITYGRO is a private document facilitation service, not a government office or embassy. Apostilles and attestations are issued only by the Ministry of External Affairs and the embassies concerned; we do not issue, correct or verify certificates. Rules and fees can change, so check the requirements of the authority that will receive your document.
Last reviewed: October 2026