Skip to content
World Driving Permit

🇰🇭 Do you need an IDP to drive in Cambodia?

Depends on your licence· the 1949 Geneva Convention· Last reviewed 17 Jun 2026

Key facts

IDP validity
1 year from issue

Short answer

It depends on the licence you hold — Cambodia accepts some foreign licences directly while others require an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Confirm the rule for your specific licence country before you travel. A certified translation of your licence smooths rental-desk and police checks, but it does not replace the IDP where one is required.

Driving in Cambodia: the rule explained

Cambodia's legal position is strict and ambiguous: the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh states international permits are not currently accepted and that foreigners must hold a Cambodian driver licence. Cambodia is a party only to the 1949 Geneva Convention, and many sources report a 1949 IDP plus home licence is tolerated for up to ~3 months, but this is not guaranteed. Insurance generally does not cover accidents without a valid local permit.

Exemption: Legal status of IDPs is contested: tolerated in practice for short stays but the official line is that a Cambodian licence is required.

Renting a car in Cambodia

Car rental agencies typically ask for both your national licence and a 1949 IDP; for full legal certainty, longer or insured driving requires converting to a Cambodian licence at the MPWT in Phnom Penh.

Motorcycles & scooters: Scooters up to about 125cc are widely ridden without a local licence, but carry a 1949 IDP and your home motorcycle category to avoid problems at police checks.

What to carry when driving in Cambodia

  • Original driving license (physical card)
  • Passport with valid visa/entry stamp
  • Translation companion or certified translation of your license
  • Proof of insurance covering the destination
  • Use a 1949 Geneva IDP (not 1968) — Cambodia only recognises the 1949 convention
  • Consider an MPWT Cambodian licence for stays beyond a short visit or for insurance cover
Print / save this checklist (PDF)

Check your exact trip

Get a tailored answer for your licence country, dates and vehicle.

Translation companion

A certified, multi-language translation of your licence to carry alongside it. It is not an IDP and does not replace one.

Cambodia: frequently asked questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Cambodia?
It depends on the licence you hold — Cambodia accepts some foreign licences directly while others require an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Confirm the rule for your specific licence country before you travel. A certified translation of your licence smooths rental-desk and police checks, but it does not replace the IDP where one is required. Cambodia's legal position is strict and ambiguous: the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh states international permits are not currently accepted and that foreigners must hold a Cambodian driver licence. Cambodia is a party only to the 1949 Geneva Convention, and many sources report a 1949 IDP plus home licence is tolerated for up to ~3 months, but this is not guaranteed. Insurance generally does not cover accidents without a valid local permit.
Is a translated driving licence accepted in Cambodia?
A certified translation companion helps officials and car-rental desks in Cambodia read your licence, but where Cambodia requires an IDP it must be one issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Always carry your original national licence with it.
What do I need to rent a car in Cambodia?
Car rental agencies typically ask for both your national licence and a 1949 IDP; for full legal certainty, longer or insured driving requires converting to a Cambodian licence at the MPWT in Phnom Penh.
Which IDP convention does Cambodia use?
Cambodia recognises IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Make sure your IDP is issued by your own country's authorised issuer under the matching convention.
How long is an International Driving Permit valid in Cambodia?
Because Cambodia follows the 1949 Geneva Convention, an IDP is valid for one year from its date of issue. The permit is only valid alongside your original national licence, and it cannot be renewed — you apply for a new one from your home country's authorised issuer when it lapses.

Official sources

Need a real, government-recognised IDP? How to get an IDP from an authorised issuer.

Driving to Cambodia from your country

Requirements for other countries