Myanmar on a British Licence 2026: IDP Needed, Rules Shift
United Kingdom
Myanmar
Only with an IDP. GOV.UK says UK drivers should at least carry the international driving permit with the licence, and that rules can change fast, so ask your hire firm. Traffic keeps right.
For a British driver, the licence question in Myanmar has a short answer and a long caveat. You need a permit, and the rules may have changed by the time you land.
What GOV.UK says to carry
GOV.UK warns that “the permits and licences you need for driving in Myanmar may change at short notice”, and tells you to contact your car hire company for the latest requirements before you travel. It continues: “At a minimum, you should carry both the 1969 international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence.” The page says 1969, but the IDP types are 1926, 1949 and 1968, and GOV.UK’s own permit table lists 1968 for Myanmar. Treat the permit as required, buy it in the UK before you fly (it cannot be bought abroad), and get the hire company’s current document list in writing.
Right-hand traffic, right-hand-drive cars
GOV.UK notes that “although driving is on the right in Myanmar, the majority of cars are right-hand drive.” You sit on the kerb side of a right-driving country, which leaves you a poor view when overtaking. Do not overtake on trust. Let a passenger confirm the lane is clear, and leave far more room than instinct suggests.
Road risks
GOV.UK says road safety standards are significantly lower than in the UK, serious accidents are common, and many vehicles are in poor condition. Overland travel is especially hazardous in the rainy season from May to October, when roads can become impassable. Military and opposition forces can restrict road travel at short notice, and some roads were damaged in the March 2025 earthquake. Under Myanmar law, the driver of a car involved in an accident with a pedestrian is always at fault.
Emergency numbers
Police 199, ambulance 192, fire 191.
Read the Myanmar driving guide, and check other countries on your route with the Driving Permit Checker.
Sources
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Myanmar, safety and security (IDP, changing requirements, right-hand-drive cars, road risks): https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/myanmar/safety-and-security
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Myanmar, getting help (emergency numbers): https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/myanmar/getting-help
- GOV.UK, international driving permit table (Myanmar: 1968): https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
Your home country driving rules for reference
Renting a Car?
Compare prices from all major rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare Car Rental PricesSome links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How our affiliate links work.
More Free Tools
Explore TyreMap
Frequently Asked Questions
Not on the licence alone. GOV.UK says that, at a minimum, you should carry the international driving permit and your UK licence, and its permit table lists the 1968 version for Myanmar. It also warns that requirements can change at short notice, so ask your car hire company for the latest rules.
The right, but GOV.UK notes that most cars are right-hand drive. You sit on the kerb side, which makes overtaking risky, so let a passenger check the road.
GOV.UK says that under Myanmar law the driver of a car involved in an accident with a pedestrian is always at fault. Drive slowly in towns and villages.