New Delhi - Post Report Question and Answers
What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
One that's seen better days. You will almost certainly get into a car accident. Looking like a wealthy foreigner probably increases the likelihood of that, in my opinion. - Jan 2022
Most common car is a Toyota minivan. Get it locally (right-hand drive). They can take a beating (and will!), can be fixed cheaply everywhere, and the drivers all know how to drive them. Don't bring anything expensive, valuable, flashy, or exotic. - Sep 2020
A small car will be more maneuverable on the narrow streets, but like most of the developing world, size rules on the road. I don’t have a car, although any family that doesn’t buy a car and have a driver is dumb. - Jul 2020
Buy a vehicle once you get to post. There are very goofy regulations regarding registering vehicles in the New Delhi region. - Jul 2019
Import of vehicles with left hand drive is not permitted.You have to get one locally. It's very popular to drive 4 wheel drive. There is 10 year age limit for diesel cars (resale consideration), and 15 year age limit for petrol. There have been recent reports of car burglaries by local gangs, where they force you to get out of the car by tearing your tires and steal your purse and other belongings from the car. - Oct 2017
We bought locally from a departing expatriate. That is a very common way to do it. We had a Land Rover. It was big and sturdy and gave us an advantage in traffic and allowed us to fit in guests. However, parts were very hard to get and mechanics often didn't know what to do about it. Buying a local car makes repairs easier.
Burglary isn't really a risk. Smaller cars are easier to park. Bigger cars have an easier time pushing through traffic where size gives right of way. - Mar 2017
Can't bring a car unless it is right-side driving - everyone gets a car there. It will get dinged up and damaged, but repairs are cheap. - Feb 2017
Right-hand drive, of course, so most people buy them here. Many Innovas and Scorpios and Mahindras... cars I'd never heard of before living here. - Nov 2016
Buy a car locally. Toyota Innova vans are popular with families. Get a newer model, because there are stringent air-quality rules on older cars. - Jun 2016
Most types of cars are available, or bring your own right-hand-drive vehicle. Summer time is when most cars are available for sale. Roads are okay in Delhi but traffic is a problem and drivers do not follow the rules. Getting parts for certain American vehicles may be difficult. For many families, Toyota Innovas are popular here. - Sep 2014
Recommend SUV or minivan if you are bringing them. We own a Xylo Mahindra which has been fine. Lots of families own Toyota Innovas, and you see all kinds of compact cars around as well. - Sep 2014
Has to be right-hand drive. We had to buy one here. We got a Toyota car that's sort of a van, but more like a car. It seats 7, but has regular car doors, not sliding van types. This car is very popular here (Toyota Innova). - Aug 2013
A sedan is fine in Delhi. Make sure it has good a/c and air filtration before you come. Japanese makes are easier to service. SUVs are hard to park and maneuver through the tiny Delhi alleys, but they are great for drives outside the city. - May 2013
Bring a car that is used and has high ground clearance. - Oct 2012
Smaller cars. The traffic is insane. - Sep 2012
Something with ground clearance, japanese made, not too new. - Aug 2011
anything goes on Delhi roads. - Aug 2011
Toyotas and Hondas are better to bring. American/German/Swedish cars are hard to service. If you are going to travel around India by car, bring an SUV. Honda CRVs are common. - Aug 2011
Traffic is dense, so a big vehicle is a hassle to drive and park, and an SUV is rarely helpful. Most expatriates hire a driver. Repairs can be done cheaply, but you can't count on the parts. Bring a sedan, or buy local. - Jan 2011
Don't bring a car. Buy local and absorb the Delhi dents and dings. Bigger cars rule the road, so most westerners buy large and everybody drives aggressively and expects complete chaos. If an accident happens - avoid the scene which can quickly turn into a riot. Carjackings are few, but cars are stolen all the time. - Sep 2010
None. Buy a used one here. They are expensive and you wouldn't want your new car to get scratches from the crazy drivers in Delhi. It is really much worse than in Cairo. - Aug 2010
Don't bring your car. Driving in Delhi is crazy and a bigger car helps. Most people hire a driver. - Aug 2010
I would not bring a car from the US. The Indian government restricts the importation of left-hand-drive cars. Also, you need to bring a new car. The steering wheel is on the wrong side, and this could be very dangerous here. The lack of parts would be a big problem, too. The bigger the car the better. Whatever car you have, by the time you leave, will be covered in dents. The driving here is the worst I have ever seen. - Aug 2010
I would not bring a car from the U.S. as the steering wheel is on the wrong side and this could be very dangerous here. Lack of parts would be a big problem too. The bigger the car, the better. Whatever car you have by the time you leave, it will be covered in dents. The driving is the worst I have ever seen. - Mar 2008
I don't know about what cars to bring or not bring, but I definitely wouldn't recommend driving here. It's pretty chaotic, and for as cheap as it is, I'd say hire a driver. - Feb 2008
