Driving information — Myanmar

Reviewed summary

A qualifying domestic driving licence issued by another ASEAN Member State may be recognised for temporary driving in Myanmar under the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework and Myanmar law, provided the licence remains valid and authorises the relevant vehicle type.

Legal basis

1985 ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries; Myanmar Instrument of Accession; Myanmar Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Management Law (2020), particularly sections 14, 33, 40, 75 and 81; Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Management Rules (2022), Chapter 8, particularly sections 245–249; and the 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements.

Licence conditions

The licence must remain valid and must authorise the relevant type of motor vehicle. Temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded from recognition under the 1985 ASEAN Agreement. Under ASEAN Article 3, where a licence is not in English, a certified English translation is required. Myanmar Rules section 247 additionally requires an English translation to be attached to non-English documents in the section 246 regional cross-border context. Myanmar law prohibits driving with an expired licence and requires the driver to possess the driving licence while driving.

Other destination-country information

The driver must be licensed for the relevant vehicle type. Myanmar Law section 33 provides that driving-licence types are specified according to the types of motor vehicles permitted. Conditions in Chapter 8 concerning foreign-registered vehicles apply to the cross-border situations described there and should not automatically be treated as requirements for locally registered or rental vehicles.

Recognition under the 1985 ASEAN Agreement applies during a temporary stay. No fixed general number of days for ASEAN domestic driving-licence recognition was identified in the reviewed Myanmar 2020 Law or Chapter 8 of the 2022 Rules.

Drivers remain subject to Myanmar traffic law. The 2020 Law requires possession of the driving licence, prohibits use of an expired licence and prohibits driving a vehicle type not permitted by the licence. Seat-belt requirements apply to prescribed motor vehicles, and third-party liability insurance is required for use of a motor vehicle in a public place. Chapter 8 contains additional requirements for specified foreign-registered vehicles entering or transiting Myanmar.

Reviewed summary

A qualifying domestic motorcycle driving licence issued by another ASEAN Member State may be recognised for temporary riding in Myanmar under the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework and Myanmar law, provided the licence remains valid and authorises motorcycles.

Legal basis

1985 ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries; Myanmar Instrument of Accession; Myanmar Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Management Law (2020), particularly sections 2(d), 14, 33, 40, 75, 76 and 81; Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Management Rules (2022), Chapter 8, particularly sections 245–249; and the 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements.

Licence conditions

The licence must remain valid and must authorise motorcycles or the relevant motorcycle type. Temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded from recognition under the 1985 ASEAN Agreement. Under ASEAN Article 3, where a licence is not in English, a certified English translation is required. Myanmar Rules section 247 additionally requires an English translation to be attached to non-English documents in the section 246 regional cross-border context. Myanmar law prohibits driving with an expired licence and requires the driver to possess the driving licence while driving.

Other destination-country information

Myanmar Law section 2(d) defines a motorcycle as a two-wheeled vehicle whether it has a sidecar or not. The rider must hold a licence permitting the relevant vehicle type. Section 76 requires the motorcycle to have a rear-view mirror and exhaust noise suppressor, requires low-beam lighting at all times while riding, and requires the rider and pillion rider to fasten the chinstrap of a standard safety helmet. Conditions in Chapter 8 concerning foreign-registered vehicles apply to the cross-border situations described there and should not automatically be treated as requirements for locally registered or rental motorcycles.

Recognition under the 1985 ASEAN Agreement applies during a temporary stay. No fixed general number of days for ASEAN domestic driving-licence recognition was identified in the reviewed Myanmar 2020 Law or Chapter 8 of the 2022 Rules.

Riders remain subject to Myanmar traffic law. The 2020 Law requires possession of the driving licence, prohibits use of an expired licence and prohibits riding a vehicle type not permitted by the licence. Motorcycle-specific rules include rear-view mirror, exhaust noise suppressor, low-beam use at all times and standard safety helmets with chinstraps fastened for rider and pillion. Third-party liability insurance is required for use of a motor vehicle in a public place. Chapter 8 contains additional requirements for specified foreign-registered vehicles entering or transiting Myanmar.