Is Aadhaar mandatory for self-drive car rental?

Aadhaar is the most accepted government photo ID. Passport or voter ID also work. Zymo bookings include an Aadhaar OTP verification step (via WhatsApp or email link) you complete before pickup, which speeds up partner handover.

Can I book a self-drive car with a learner's licence?

No. A full (non-learner) Indian driving licence valid for the car class is required across all rental partners. Most platforms also require the licence to be at least one year old.

Are digital copies of documents accepted?

Carry originals at pickup. Most rental partners require original physical documents for verification — digital copies alone are typically not enough. Photos saved in DigiLocker may be accepted by some partners; check the booking page.

How do I pay the security deposit?

Online, with your booking, through Zymo's payment gateway — not in cash and not to the partner at pickup. Zymo holds the deposit and refunds it within 5–7 working days after the trip.

What documents do foreign nationals need?

International Driving Permit (IDP) plus your home-country licence, your passport, and a copy of your Indian visa proving period of stay. Some partners require additional address proof in India.

What documents do I need to book a self-drive car in India?

Updated June 2026 · Based on partner policies across the Zymo network

To book a self-drive car in India you need two documents — a valid Indian driving licence (non-learner, at least one year old) and a government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, or voter ID) — plus the refundable security deposit, paid online with your booking. Carry originals at pickup. Foreign nationals also need an International Driving Permit.

Driving licence: full (non-learner) Indian licence, valid, at least one year old
Government photo ID: Aadhaar preferred; passport or voter ID also accepted
Security deposit: paid online with your booking and refunded by Zymo after the trip (₹3,000–₹15,000 depending on car class)
Carry originals: physical documents at pickup — digital copies alone are typically not accepted

The three core documents

1. Driving licence (full, non-learner)

Indian driving licence valid for the car class you're booking. Most partners require the licence to be at least one year old — recently-issued licences may be rejected. The licence must not be expired or suspended. Bring the physical original; photocopies and DigiLocker images are accepted by some partners as a backup but not as a replacement.

2. Government photo ID

Aadhaar is the most widely accepted. Passport, voter ID, and PAN card also work for most partners. The ID must match the name on your driving licence and the booking. If your booking name and licence name don't match (e.g., post-marriage name change), bring proof of the change (marriage certificate or affidavit).

3. Security deposit (paid online)

The refundable security deposit is paid online with your booking and held by Zymo, not by the partner. Zymo refunds it within 5–7 working days after the trip, provided the car is returned without damage and with the correct fuel level. Deposit amounts typically range from ₹3,000 to ₹15,000 depending on the car class. Some partners set a low or zero deposit; the amount is shown on the listing.

Aadhaar OTP verification on Zymo bookings

Zymo bookings include an additional Aadhaar OTP verification step you complete before pickup — via a link sent to your WhatsApp or email. This isn't a separate document; it uses the Aadhaar number you've already linked to your Zymo account. Completing it before reaching the partner speeds up handover by 10-15 minutes.

For foreign nationals

Foreign tourists and NRIs renting in India need:

International Driving Permit (IDP) from your home country — valid for India, must be carried alongside your home-country licence (the IDP alone is not enough)
Home-country driving licence — original, not expired
Passport with valid Indian visa
Address in India — hotel booking confirmation or local host's address proof, accepted by most partners

Some partners restrict rentals to Indian citizens only. The booking page on Zymo shows partner-specific eligibility before payment.

What's NOT accepted

Learner's licence (any state)
Expired driving licence
International licence without IDP (for non-residents)
Photocopies or digital scans alone (DigiLocker may work as backup; carry originals)
Driving licence issued under a different name than the booking