Before you start

A valid passport and current visa (Employment Visa or equivalent) covering your stay
An International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in your home country BEFORE you arrive, plus your original home-country licence — both must be carried together to drive legally
Proof of a Bengaluru residential address (rental agreement, employer letter, utility bill) once you apply for an Indian licence
A working understanding that India drives on the left-hand side of the road

Step-by-step

1
Drive on your IDP plus home licence for up to 1 year
Under the Motor Vehicles Act, a foreign national may drive on a valid home-country licence accompanied by an International Driving Permit for up to one year from arrival, or until your visa expires, whichever is earlier. The IDP is only valid alongside your original licence — neither works alone. Get the IDP in your home country before you fly; India doesn't issue IDPs to non-residents.
In personWho: You (arrange the IDP at home before relocating)Valid up to 1 year from arrival or until visa expiryIDP cost varies by home country (often ~US$20-50)
2
Decide whether you actually need to drive at all
Before investing in a licence and a car, weigh the local reality. Bengaluru has chaotic, congested, left-hand-drive traffic and most relocating professionals never drive themselves. Download Uber, Ola and Rapido (the last adds cheap motorbike and auto rides), and use the Namma Metro for longer cross-city trips. Many expats who own a car simply hire a full- or part-time driver.
Mobile appWho: YouSet up on day oneAutos from ~₹30; app cab rides commonly ₹100-400; a full-time driver ~₹18,000-30,000/month
3
Apply for an Indian driving licence via the Sarathi portal
If you'll stay beyond a year or want to drive, apply through the Karnataka Transport Department on Sarathi (sarathi.parivahan.gov.in), selecting the application type for a foreign licence holder. Holding a valid foreign licence can let you skip the learner's stage and sometimes the road test, but this is at the RTO's discretion, not guaranteed. You complete biometric and document verification in person.
OnlineWho: You (in-person verification at your Bengaluru RTO)Typically a few days to a few weeks once documents are verified~₹200 in government fees for a new smart-card licence (agent/school charges add more)
4
Always carry the four mandatory documents when driving
If you drive your own vehicle, by law you must carry the driving licence, the vehicle's Registration Certificate (RC), valid third-party insurance and a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. Traffic police check these at checkpoints. Digital copies in the official DigiLocker or mParivahan apps are legally accepted — the easiest way to avoid carrying originals.
Mobile appWho: You (vehicle owner/driver)Every time you drivePUC test ~₹100-150; third-party insurance is mandatory and priced by vehicle

Documents you’ll need

Passport and valid visa (Employment Visa or equivalent)
Original home-country driving licence plus International Driving Permit (for the first year)
Proof of Bengaluru address (rental agreement, employer letter or utility bill) for an Indian licence
Form 1 self-declaration of fitness (under 40) or Form 1A medical certificate (40+), plus passport photos

Things most newcomers don’t know

The most useful 'driving' advice in Bengaluru is usually: don't.

Left-hand-drive traffic, dense congestion and an aggressive driving culture make self-driving stressful and risky for newcomers, while Uber/Ola/Rapido and the Namma Metro are cheap, ubiquitous and remove the parking and documentation burden. Most relocating professionals skip the licence entirely.

Source: Expat Arrivals — Getting Around Bengaluru

Get your International Driving Permit in your home country before you move — you can't obtain one once you're in India.

India issues IDPs only to residents who hold an Indian licence, so a foreign national who arrives without an IDP has no quick route to one and must instead apply for a full Indian licence.

Source: Parivahan — International Driving Permit

A valid foreign licence can let you skip the learner's permit and sometimes the road test — but treat that as a bonus, not a guarantee.

Whether a test is waived is at the individual RTO's discretion and varies case by case, so plan for the possibility of a test rather than assuming a smooth swap.

Source: RTO India — NRI/foreign licence services

Install DigiLocker or mParivahan and store your vehicle documents digitally.

Digital copies of your licence, RC, insurance and PUC are legally valid at police checks in India, sparing you from carrying originals that could be lost or damaged.

Source: Government services — mandatory driving documents

Common mistakes to avoid

Carrying only the IDP and leaving your original home-country licence at home — the IDP isn't valid on its own and you can be penalised.
Assuming you can keep driving on the IDP indefinitely; it lapses after one year or when your visa expires.
Expecting an automatic, test-free conversion of your foreign licence — RTO practice differs, and you may still face a driving test.
Driving without a valid PUC certificate or third-party insurance, both legally required with on-the-spot fines.