Myanmar drives on the right, not the left. The urban limit is an unusual 48 km/h, rural 80, motorway 100, alcohol 0.05%, age 18. But check the truck limits if you hire a van.
Myanmar Drives on the Right: 48 km/h Urban Cap, 2026
Data verified:
4 min readMyanmar drives on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age is 18. The motorway speed limit is 100 km/h. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC.
Myanmar requires a warning triangle and hi-vis vest in the vehicle at all times, and roadside checks do happen; the penalty for a missing item is set locally and we do not publish a figure we cannot verify. Rental companies rarely include the full kit; ask before leaving the lot.
Personalise for Your Trip
See how Myanmar differs from your home country
Watch: Driving in Myanmar
9 Best Ways to Get Around Myanmar Travel Guide · GRRRLTRAVELER
Myanmar drives on the right, not the left — which catches out visitors arriving overland from Thailand, and means the steering wheel sits on the left and you overtake on the left. The urban limit is an unusual 48 km/h rather than the round 50 its neighbours use, with 80 km/h on rural roads, 100 km/h on motorways, a 0.05% blood-alcohol limit and a minimum driving age of 18.
Your case: In a van or anything over 3.5 tonnes the figures change to 48, 70 and 80 km/h — car and truck limits are set out side by side in the Myanmar speed-limit section.
Emergency Numbers in Myanmar
Police: 199 | Ambulance: 192 | Fire: 191
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Myanmar, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Myanmar
The default speed limits for passenger cars in Myanmar are 48 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 100 km/h on motorways.
Trucks and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes have lower limits: 48 km/h urban, 70 km/h rural, and 80 km/h on motorways.
Important: Posted signs always override default limits. Watch for temporary restrictions in construction zones, near schools, and in residential areas.
Speeding Fines and Penalties
Speeding fines in Myanmar vary based on how much you exceed the posted limit. Fines increase sharply for higher violations and may include licence points or driving bans for serious offences.
Traffic Rules and Regulations
Drive on the right side of the road. Overtake on the left. At roundabouts, enter counter-clockwise and yield to traffic already circulating.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height.
Using a hand-held phone while driving is prohibited. Hands-free systems are permitted.
Use headlights in poor visibility, tunnels, and at night. Some areas require headlights at all times.
Priority at intersections follows posted signs. When no signs are present, yield to traffic from the right.
Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits
The legal blood alcohol limit in Myanmar is 0.05% BAC. Exceeding this limit results in fines, licence suspension, and possible criminal charges. For novice drivers and professional drivers, stricter limits may apply.
The safest approach is to not drink at all if you will be driving. Alcohol affects reaction time and judgement regardless of the legal limit.
Tyre Requirements and Regulations
Due to Myanmar’s tropical climate, winter tyres are not required. Standard tyres suitable for wet and dry conditions are appropriate year-round.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm.
Studded tyres: restricted.
For detailed tyre law information, see our Tyre Laws in Myanmar guide.
Driving License Requirements
Always carry your original driving licence — photocopies are not accepted.
The minimum driving age is 18 years.
Parking and Fuel
Parking in major cities can be limited and expensive. Shopping centres and commercial areas usually have dedicated car parks. Read signs carefully to avoid towing.
We do not hold a verified, dated fuel price for Myanmar, so check a local price app or the board at the station before you budget.
Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.
Seasonal Driving Conditions
Myanmar has a tropical heat and monsoon rains. The main driving hazard is heavy rainfall — roads can flood quickly and visibility drops sharply during downpours. Reduce speed in rain and avoid crossing flooded sections. Road surfaces may deteriorate during the wet season.
Practical Driving Tips for Myanmar
- Download offline maps of Myanmar before your trip — mobile signal can be unreliable on rural roads.
- Take a break every 2 hours on long drives. Fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents.
- Use our interactive tools on this page — compare rules with your home country and calculate potential fines before you set off.
Speed Limits in Myanmar
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | 48 km/h | 48 km/h |
| Rural | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Motorway | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Emergency Numbers in Myanmar
These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Tyre Laws in Myanmar
Winter tyre requirements, tread depth rules, and studded tyre regulations.
View tyre regulationsAvoid a fine in Myanmar
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Myanmar on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Myanmar?
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.
Recent changes to this page
- Undated, unsourced fuel price estimate removed.
- Emergency numbers corrected from 112 to the official figures (GOV.UK foreign travel advice).
- Removed a comparison that called this limit stricter than Laos; Laos also sets 0.05 (WHO 2023 profile).
- Opening rewritten to answer the left-or-right question this page is found for before the speed-limit detail, with the car-versus-truck split linked; title, description and summary aligned.
- Title and description tightened to the page's own data (title 50-60, description 140-155 characters).
- Title, description and introduction rewritten from this page's own data (no shared template wording).
- Removed an equipment penalty that was actually the speeding fine copied from another field; TyreMap country data has no equipment-fine value, so no figure is published.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Myanmar, the default speed limits for passenger vehicles are: urban areas 48 km/h (30 mph), rural roads 80 km/h (50 mph), and motorways 100 km/h (62 mph). Always follow posted signs as limits may differ on specific roads.
In Myanmar, traffic drives on the right side of the road. Vehicles have the steering wheel on the left side. If you are visiting from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at intersections, roundabouts, and when overtaking.
The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Myanmar is 0.05% (0.5mg/ml). Stricter limits often apply to novice drivers and commercial vehicle operators. Penalties for exceeding the limit can include heavy fines, license suspension, and imprisonment.
Foreign visitors to Myanmar should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their valid national driving license. An IDP translates your license into multiple languages and is recognized internationally. Check with the embassy of Myanmar for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres in Myanmar are: Not Required. Regardless of legal requirements, winter tyres or all-season tyres with the appropriate markings (M+S or 3PMSF) are strongly recommended when temperatures drop below 7°C for improved safety and grip.
The emergency numbers in Myanmar are police 199, ambulance 192 and fire 191. These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, be prepared to state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited in Myanmar. Hands-free systems (Bluetooth, speakerphone, or mounted devices) are permitted. Penalties for mobile phone use while driving typically include fines. For safety, always use hands-free solutions or pull over to use your phone.
When driving in Myanmar, you should always carry: your valid driving license (and IDP if applicable), vehicle registration document, valid insurance certificate (Green Card for European countries), and your passport or national ID. Rental car drivers should also carry the rental agreement. Police may request these documents during routine checks.
The minimum age to drive a car in Myanmar is 18 years old. Some categories of vehicles (such as motorcycles or heavy vehicles) may have different age requirements. Novice drivers may face additional restrictions during their first years of driving.
Driving in Myanmar is generally safe for tourists who are prepared. Before driving, familiarize yourself with local traffic rules, road signs, and driving customs. Consider downloading offline maps, carrying emergency supplies, and purchasing comprehensive insurance. Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar areas if possible.
Get Driving Law Updates
Speed limits, fines and tyre laws change frequently. Get monthly updates for the countries you drive in.
Related Articles
Are Dashcams Legal in Austria? No — EUR 10,000 Fine in 2026
Country-by-country status for 2026, which courts accept the footage, the confiscation risk at an Austrian stop, and the rule that catches hire cars.
Driving LawsEurope Speeding Fines 2026: EUR 15 to an Uncapped Day-Fine
The same 20 km/h over the limit costs EUR 15 at the cheap end and EUR 70 on a German Autobahn, and in Switzerland a share of income with no ceiling.
Driving LawsRadar Detectors Legal in Europe 2026: 5 Bans, €1,500 Fine
The 2026 table for all of Europe: hardware versus camera-warning apps, five outright bans, France's EUR 1,500 seizure and Germany's EUR 75 use-only rule.
Explore Guides
How Myanmar compares worldwide
Myanmar Tyre Laws
Winter tyres, tread depth & tyre regulations
Afghanistan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Cambodia