Planning a road trip from Vijayawada to Hyderabad? Or driving from Hyderabad to Bangalore, Chennai, or Mumbai? One of the most common questions travelers ask is: "Can you drive a rental car out of state in India?" The short answer is yes — but with specific conditions, documentation, and state-specific permits you should understand before crossing state borders. This 2026 guide covers everything: All India Permits, visitor permits, entry taxes, required documents, and practical tips for hassle-free interstate self drive travel.
🔍 Quick Answer
Yes — self drive rental cars can legally travel between Indian states, provided the vehicle carries a valid All India Permit (AIP). Some states additionally require a temporary Visitor Permit or charge an entry tax for commercial vehicles. Every Aman Self Drive car comes with a valid AIP, so you're covered for trips to Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, and beyond.
What Is an All India Permit (AIP)?
An All India Permit is a mandatory authorization for commercial rental vehicles that allows nationwide travel without state-specific restrictions. It's the foundation that allows any rental vehicle — including self drive cars — to legally cross state borders in India.
- Mandatory for rentals — every legitimate self drive company must hold AIP for its fleet
- Valid nationwide — allows travel to any Indian state without home-state restrictions
- Commercial registration — rental cars operate under commercial plates, not private ones
- Cost is built in — companies pay an annual AIP fee, already factored into your rental price
State Entry Tax & Visitor Permits
Even with a valid AIP, some Indian states require a temporary State Visitor Permit or charge an entry tax for commercial vehicles crossing their border. This is separate from your rental cost and varies by destination state.
| Route | Permit/Tax Likely Required | Typical Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh → Telangana | Usually none for AIP-holding vehicles | — |
| Telangana → Karnataka | State entry tax may apply | Per trip |
| Telangana → Tamil Nadu | Visitor permit may be required | 7–30 days |
| Telangana → Maharashtra | State entry tax may apply | Per trip |
| Andhra Pradesh → Odisha | Usually none for AIP-holding vehicles | — |
| Telangana → Chhattisgarh | State entry tax may apply | Per trip |
Exact tax rates and permit requirements change periodically — always confirm your specific route with our team before departure.
Tolls, FASTag & On-Road Costs for Interstate Trips
Beyond permits and entry tax, budget for standard highway tolls on interstate routes. Every Aman self drive car comes fitted with a working FASTag, so you're not stopping to pay cash at toll booths — the amount is simply deducted electronically as you pass.
💰 Approximate toll cost by popular interstate route (one-way, sedan/hatchback)
- Vijayawada → Hyderabad: ₹450–550 in tolls
- Vijayawada → Chennai: ₹700–850 in tolls
- Hyderabad → Bangalore: ₹650–800 in tolls
- Vijayawada → Vizag: ₹350–450 in tolls
SUVs and larger vehicles (Innova, Fortuner, tempo travellers) are charged a higher toll slab than hatchbacks and sedans — factor this in when budgeting a road trip in a bigger vehicle. FASTag balance is pre-loaded and topped up by Aman; you never need to manage it yourself.
Documents to Check Before an Interstate Trip
- Registration Certificate (RC) — confirm it's in the vehicle's document folder
- Valid Insurance — check the policy covers the travel dates and route
- Pollution Certificate — must be current and unexpired
- All India Permit copy — the single most important document for crossing state borders
- Your own driving license and ID — see our full documents checklist for renter requirements
Common Interstate Rental Mistakes to Avoid
Most interstate self drive problems aren't about permits at all — they're avoidable planning mistakes. Here's what trips travelers up most often:
- Renting from a company with no AIP — some unregistered local operators skip this entirely; always confirm before booking, not after you're stopped at a checkpoint
- Assuming fuel is included — self drive rentals are fuel-exclusive; budget separately for a Vijayawada–Hyderabad round trip (roughly 500 km, ~₹4,000–5,000 in fuel for a sedan)
- Not confirming one-way drop charges upfront — if you're not returning to the pickup city, ask about one-way fees before booking, not at drop-off
- Skipping the pre-trip vehicle inspection — always photograph the car's condition together with the Aman team before departure to avoid disputes at return
- Driving overnight through unfamiliar state highways — night driving on unfamiliar interstate stretches increases risk; plan fuel and rest stops in daylight where possible
Local Rental vs. Interstate Self Drive — What Changes?
If you've only rented a self drive car within Vijayawada city limits before, an interstate trip adds a few extra considerations, but the core process stays the same:
| Factor | Local Rental | Interstate Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Documents needed | License + ID | Same, plus AIP copy in glovebox |
| Toll costs | Minimal/none | ₹350–850 one-way depending on route |
| Fuel budget | City driving | Highway distance — plan fuel stops |
| Booking lead time | Same-day possible | 24–48 hrs advance recommended |
| One-way drop | Not usually needed | Available to Hyderabad, Vizag & more |
How to Book an Interstate Self Drive Trip with Aman
- WhatsApp or call us with your route, dates, and preferred car type
- We confirm AIP and route requirements for your specific interstate destination
- Pick up the car from our Vijayawada, Hyderabad, or Vizag location with full documentation
- Drive with confidence — FASTag loaded, documents in the glovebox, our support team reachable 8 AM–9 PM
- Return at pickup city or drop one-way at select destination cities on request
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drive a rental car out of state in India?
Yes. Rental cars fitted with a valid All India Permit (AIP) can legally travel to any Indian state. Some states additionally require a temporary Visitor Permit or charge an entry tax for commercial vehicles crossing their border.
What is an All India Permit and why does it matter?
An All India Permit is a mandatory authorization for commercial rental vehicles that allows nationwide travel without state-specific restrictions. All legitimate self drive rental companies, including Aman, must have AIP for every vehicle in the fleet.
Do I need to pay extra tax for interstate travel in a rental car?
Some states charge entry taxes for commercial vehicles crossing into their territory. This is separate from your rental cost and depends on the specific states you are entering, such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, or Maharashtra.
What documents should I check before an interstate self drive trip?
Verify the vehicle's Registration Certificate (RC), insurance, pollution certificate, and All India Permit copy are all in the document folder before departure. Aman provides all of these with every rental.
Can I take a self drive car from Vijayawada to Hyderabad, Chennai or Bangalore?
Yes. Aman Self Drive Cars offers one-way and round-trip interstate travel to Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and other cities, with all vehicles carrying a valid All India Permit.
Are tolls included in the rental price?
No, tolls are charged separately and paid automatically via the FASTag fitted to every Aman vehicle. Budget roughly ₹350–850 one-way in tolls depending on your interstate route.
Can I drop the car in a different city after an interstate trip?
Yes, Aman offers one-way drop service to select destination cities including Hyderabad and Vizag. Confirm the drop city and any one-way fee at the time of booking.
Is fuel included in an interstate self drive rental?
No. Fuel is always excluded from the rental price — you pay for fuel used during your trip, whether local or interstate. Plan fuel stops in advance for longer highway routes.
How much advance notice do I need for an interstate booking?
While local rentals can often be arranged same-day, we recommend booking interstate trips 24–48 hours in advance so we can confirm the vehicle, route requirements, and documentation.
🔗 Related Guides
🛣️ Ready for Your Interstate Trip?
All vehicles carry a valid All India Permit — no extra paperwork on your end.
📍 MG Rd, Revenue Colony Park, Labbipet, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520010 • 8 AM–9 PM daily
