Can a Brit Drive in Cambodia? — Yes, IDP Required + Side Switch

Cambodia draws plenty of British visitors to Angkor Wat, the coast and the Mekong, and many want the freedom of their own vehicle. Before you take that on, two facts deserve attention more than any equipment checklist: the permit is mandatory, and the road flips to the other side.

The verdict for British licence holders

You can drive in Cambodia on your British licence, but an International Driving Permit is required — this is firmer than the “recommended” status of many countries. Carry the IDP, your UK photocard and your passport together; rental and police checks expect the full set. Sort the IDP before you leave the UK, as it cannot be issued locally. Note too that for non-residents the practical window for using a foreign licence is short, so this is a tool for a holiday, not a long stay.

The adjustment that matters: switching to the right

The UK drives on the left; Cambodia drives on the right. That side switch is the single most likely thing to catch you out, and it lands hardest in your first hours — pulling away from a kerb, joining a roundabout that now circulates the other way, or glancing the wrong direction at a junction. Layer that over the reality of Cambodian roads, where scooters, tuk-tuks and cars share space with little lane discipline, and the message is simple: start somewhere quiet, not in central Phnom Penh, and stay deliberate.

Slow limits, strict-enough alcohol, practical notes

Town limits are a low 40 km/h, rural roads 60, and the faster roads 100. The alcohol limit is 0.05 BAC, below the 0.08 of most of the UK, and the sane rule amid this traffic is zero. Fuel costs roughly $1.15/litre, and the emergency number is 112. Many visitors end up on a scooter rather than in a car — the licensing logic and the side switch apply just the same.

Confirm your documents with the Driving Permit Checker, read the full local rules on our Cambodia driving guide, and check how on-the-spot penalties work abroad in our driving fines guide.