ASEAN Agreement

How ASEAN driving-licence recognition works.

The ASEAN driving-licence agreement was created to make it easier for people from participating ASEAN countries to use their domestic driving licence when temporarily driving in another participating country.

1985 ASEAN AgreementRecognition of Domestic Driving Licences

Participating countries

11 countries are part of the recognition framework.

These countries have ratified or acceded to the ASEAN driving-licence recognition agreement.

Brunei Darussalam

Cambodia

Indonesia

Lao PDR

Malaysia

Myanmar

Philippines

Singapore

Thailand

Timor-Leste

Viet Nam

The basic idea

One regional framework for domestic driving licences.

The 1985 Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries provides a regional basis for recognising certain domestic driving licences issued by other participating ASEAN countries.

In simple terms, a valid domestic licence from one participating country may be recognised when you are temporarily driving in another participating country, provided the relevant conditions are met.

What this means for you

Your licence still has to meet the conditions.

Your driving licence must be valid and not expired.
Your licence must cover the vehicle you want to drive.
Temporary, provisional and learner licences are not covered in the same way.
A certified English translation may be required if the licence is not in English.

Destination-country rules

The Agreement does not replace local law.

Licence recognition is only part of the picture. You still have to follow the road-traffic laws, vehicle rules, licence conditions and penalties that apply in the country where you are actually driving.

This is why ASEAN Driving checks both the regional recognition framework and the rules of the destination country.

The 1997 Protocol

How newer ASEAN members could join the framework.

In 1997, ASEAN adopted the Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements. One of its effects was to provide a way for newer ASEAN members to accede to existing ASEAN agreements, including the 1985 driving-licence recognition agreement.

This means the current regional framework cannot be understood only by looking at the countries that originally signed the Agreement in 1985.

What this does not mean

Recognition is not automatic permission to drive everywhere.

An expired licence does not become valid because of the Agreement.
The Agreement does not expand the vehicle categories shown on your licence.
The destination country can still apply its own driving rules and restrictions.
Car and motorcycle requirements may be different.

Why ASEAN Driving checks more

The destination country still matters.

A simple answer such as “this is an ASEAN licence” is not always enough to tell you whether you can drive legally on a specific journey.

ASEAN Driving also checks the destination-country rules, vehicle type, licence validity, language requirements and other relevant conditions.

Check your journey

Want to know how this applies to you?

Choose where your licence was issued, where you want to drive, and whether you are driving a car or motorcycle.

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