Touring & Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran (TACI) is a non-profit organization that performs state-level administrative tasks under the supervision of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Iran. Its services include operating the national travel call center, dispatching roadside motorist assistance, and facilitating vehicular travel for tourists in Iran and Iranians going abroad, including issuing International Driving Permits (IDPs).
Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | TACI |
| Formation | 1935 |
| Location | Tehran, Iran |
| Official Languages | Persian, English |
| President | Mohammad Hossein Soufi |
| Parent Organization | Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts (MCTH) |
| Affiliations | FIA, AIT, FIA Foundation, UNWTO |
| Staff | 160 |
| Website | www.taci.ir |
History
TACI was established in 1935 following the approval of the National Assembly of Iran on December 24, 1934. The organization completed its official registration stages in 1938. Iran's membership in the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) was registered under the name of the Tourism and Automobile Club in 1952.
After the Islamic Revolution, with the approval of a bill in the Supreme Council of the Revolution on November 24, 1979, the Imperial Touring Club and Automobile Club was renamed to the Touring and Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Between 1983 and 1993, TACI became a subset of the Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization, separating from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. In 2019, the Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts, and Tourism Organization was converted into the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.
Functions and Services
TACI was appointed as the exclusive organization responsible for:
- Issuing International Driving Permits (IDPs)
- Issuing and guaranteeing Carnets de Passages en Douane (CPDs)
- Issuing Registration Certificates and Registration Number Plates for Iranians who travel abroad with their own vehicles
TACI's Roadside Assistance Services were established in 1968 with the aim of providing relief services for Iranian and foreign tourists. The organization provides roadside assistance through its provincial representatives deployed in cities and roads throughout the country.
Subsidiaries
- Iranian Educational Institute
- Aras Travel Agency
- Zagros Investment and Tourism Institute
- Zagros International Hotel
Affiliations
TACI is a member of several international organizations, including the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT), the FIA Foundation, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
