Self Drive Car Rental Rules in India: Legal & Driving Guidelines

Renting a self-drive vehicle in India requires understanding transport department regulations, permits, and road safety laws. Here is what every driver must know to travel safely and legally.

1. Commercial Black-and-Yellow Plates (Rent-a-Cab Scheme)

• In India, genuine self-drive rental cars operate under the government's Rent-a-Cab Scheme 1989.
• Legitimate rental cars feature black number plates with yellow lettering (or dedicated commercial EV registrations).
• Why this matters: Driving a private white-board car rented informally from an unauthorized person is illegal and can lead to vehicle seizure and invalid insurance during accidents. Next Miles cars operate under strict compliance with transport rules.

2. State Border Crossing & Entry Permits

• When crossing state borders from Karnataka into Tamil Nadu (Ooty, Pondy), Kerala (Wayanad), or Goa, commercial self-drive cars require a temporary commercial border entry permit and tax payment at the RTO border post or online via the Parivahan portal.
• FASTag is universally accepted across all national highways.

3. Document Requirements

• Original Driving Licence Card (minimum 1 year of driving validity; learner licences are invalid).
• Aadhaar Card verification.
• Local address verification.