Driving information — Cambodia

Reviewed summary

A qualifying domestic driving licence issued by another ASEAN country may be recognised for temporary driving in Cambodia under the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework, subject to licence validity, the authorised vehicle class, and applicable Cambodian road-traffic law.

Legal basis

1985 Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries, as applicable through the ASEAN accession framework; 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements; Cambodia's Instrument of Accession; and Cambodia Law on Road Traffic, particularly Article 45 and Article 40 (New).

Licence conditions

The domestic driving licence must be valid and must authorise the class or type of vehicle being driven. Temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded under the ASEAN Agreement. Where the ASEAN Agreement requires a certified English translation, that requirement applies according to the terms of the Agreement. Cambodia's separate translation requirements for foreign-licence exchange should not be presented as a direct ASEAN visitor requirement without additional authority.

Other destination-country information

For ordinary car use, Cambodia Category B covers passenger vehicles carrying no more than nine persons including the driver and goods vehicles not exceeding 3.5 tonnes. The driver's recognised domestic licence must authorise the corresponding class or type of vehicle.

The ASEAN Agreement applies in the context of a temporary stay. The Cambodian Road Traffic Law reviewed here does not state a separate fixed maximum period for an ASEAN visitor relying directly on a recognised domestic licence. Article 45's one-year period relates to a Cambodian licence obtained through exchange of a foreign licence and should not be treated as the duration of direct ASEAN licence recognition.

Drivers remain subject to Cambodian road-traffic law while driving in Cambodia. Foreign-licence exchange procedures and direct recognition of a qualifying ASEAN domestic licence are legally distinct and should not be presented as the same process.

Reviewed summary

A qualifying domestic motorcycle driving licence issued by another ASEAN country may be recognised for temporary riding in Cambodia under the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework, subject to licence validity, the authorised motorcycle class or type, and applicable Cambodian road-traffic and motorcycle-safety law.

Legal basis

1985 Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries, as applicable through the ASEAN accession framework; 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements; Cambodia's Instrument of Accession; and Cambodia Law on Road Traffic, particularly Article 45, Article 40 (New), Article 8 (New), and Article 43.

Licence conditions

The domestic motorcycle driving licence must be valid and must authorise the class or type of motorcycle being ridden. Temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded under the ASEAN Agreement. Where the ASEAN Agreement requires a certified English translation, that requirement applies according to the terms of the Agreement. Cambodia's separate translation requirements for foreign-licence exchange should not be presented as a direct ASEAN visitor requirement without additional authority.

Other destination-country information

The recognised domestic licence must authorise the relevant motorcycle class or type. Cambodian Article 40 (New) defines Category A for specified motorcycles, electric motorcycles, motorcycles with trailers and tricycles. Cambodian law also contains a domestic small-motorcycle licensing exemption, but its application to foreign ASEAN visitors is not treated as established without additional authority.

The ASEAN Agreement applies in the context of a temporary stay. The Cambodian Road Traffic Law reviewed here does not state a separate fixed maximum period for an ASEAN visitor relying directly on a recognised domestic licence. Article 45's one-year period relates to a Cambodian licence obtained through exchange of a foreign licence and should not be treated as the duration of direct ASEAN licence recognition.

Motorcycle riders remain subject to Cambodian road-traffic and motorcycle-safety law. Motorcycle drivers and passengers, including children aged three years and older, must properly wear helmets under Article 8 (New), section 8. Foreign-licence exchange procedures and direct recognition of a qualifying ASEAN domestic licence are legally distinct. The application of Cambodia's small-motorcycle domestic licensing exemption to foreign ASEAN visitors remains unresolved pending additional authority.