Can foreigners drive in Bhutan?

Yes, tourists from foreign countries can drive freely in Bhutan with international driving permit (IDP). The IDP is a document recommended by the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which translates your Home Driver's license into 12 of the widely used languages worldwide. Countries such as Brazil, Qatar, Panama, Armenia, Angola, Bahrain, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Senegal, Philippines, Pakistan, New Zealand, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Iceland, Greece , Germany, Italy, and many others recognize this license as well.

Most Important Road Rules in Bhutan

Before embarking on a journey to the various sites in Bhutan, it is crucial that you acquaint yourself with the most important Bhutan driving rules. You certainly wouldn't want to encounter an accident, especially given that built-up areas and emergency response services can be quite remote. However, if you already hold a driving license, getting to grips with the Bhutan driving rules shouldn't pose much of a challenge.

Drive On the Left Side of the Road

Like Australia, India, Indonesia, South Africa, and some former United Kingdom colonies, Bhutanese drive on the left side of the road. A quick fact: Did you know that only 30% of the world’s countries drive on the left side of the road?

If you hail from a country that drives on the right side of the road like French or Canada, you may need to ease down a bit in driving long distances. The steep roads and sharp curves may pose a challenge and a risk especially when you are in a foreign country with a local driving licence.

Drive Within the Speed Limit

Overspeeding is never a safe activity. If you’re caught driving beyond the speed limit you'll pay a fine of Nu 5,000. There's the risk of confiscation of your license, including your International Driving Permit. The speed limits in Bhutan are as follows:

• Built-up areas : 30km/hr
• Outside Built-up areas: 50km/hr (light vehicles and two-wheelers); 35km/hr (medium and heavy vehicles)

Do Not Drive Outside Thimphu and Paro Without a Route Permit

Standard tourist entry permits only allow the holders to go around the districts of Thimphu and Paro. For you to visit other dzongkhags (districts), you’ll need to secure a Route Permit or Special Area Permit from the Immigration Office. You can apply for one together with your application for a standard tourist entry permit.

This shouldn’t be overlooked because immigration checkpoints are situated around the country. The good news is that your tour operator can help you apply for the Route Permit since you’ll have to present your itinerary also. 

Do Not Drink and Drive

Drunk driving has been one of the major causes of road mortalities. A lot of these cases stem from drivers who come from evening parties. This is why the government has been pushing for the amendment of the RSTA Act of 1999. At present, the RSTA allowed blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.

To learn more on what routes to take when visiting, check out the Driving Guide for Bhutan. You will also find more tips and tricks when traveling to Bhutan. There's information about travel protocols, driving etiquette, and renting a car. You'll also find three bonus destinations!

Top Destinations in Bhutan

Bhutan is nestled within the southern slopes of the Himalayan Mountain Range like Nepal, India, and Pakistan and it has a border with Myanmar. The terrain is rugged, with wide, fertile valleys that support numerous thriving communities of humans, plants, and animal wildlife. They are very similar compared to India. If you’re planning on traveling there soon, here are some sites that you can check out and explore:

Tiger’s Nest Monastery

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, locally known as Paro Taktsang, is one of the unique temples in Bhutan. Not only was it constructed in a cave opening, but it’s also perched on the edge of a very high, steep cliff. Visiting the monastery is both cultural and nature exploration. This is because apart from touring the inside of the monastery, you’ll have to hike up a good two and a half hours to reach the area.

Nevertheless, the stunning views up the monastery will make you forget about any possible physical exhaustion. Apart from the fact that the slope isn’t that difficult, except for the stairs right before reaching Paro Taktsang.

Bhutan, Haa Valley

Suppose you want to experience and see the most traditional Bhutanese customs and way of life, head on over to the countryside. The Haa Valley is one of the popular areas for a more relaxed hike. Apart from hiking, you can also go biking. You can even camp out under the stars in designated open areas.

The challenge for drivers, especially first-timers, only is that the Bondey-Haa Highway has plenty of sharp curves. You’ll need to take utmost caution when driving on this highway. A bonus, though, is that you can stop over at the Chele La Pass lookout!

Dagala Thousand Lakes

To see the Dagala Thousand Lakes you’ll need to go through a multi-day trek. At least six days, according to the Tourism of Council of Bhutan. The Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek is one of the greatest and most challenging treks in Bhutan. You can hike through the rich alpine forests of northern Bhutan. You can see breathtaking views of Mount Everest and other majestic mountains.

The lakes are also home to various species of trout, and you can go fishing on the lakes when you set up camp. The catch, however, the catch is that you’ll have to secure a license/permit to go fishing. Lastly, you’ll also come across native Bhutanese villages that herd mountain yaks. You can stop by to learn about the culture of highland communities during this trek.

Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory

Are you familiar with those specially-crafted papers that are usually used to wrap bouquets, gifts, and scrapbooks? These are called Deh-sho, and they are handmade to be written and/or printed on. Bhutan is among the very few countries that still use the traditional way of papermaking to produce paper commercially. You can try your hand in the process and maybe bring the resulting products in as souvenirs or gifts!

Chele La Pass

Chele La Pass is probably the most popular lookout on the northwestern side of the country. This is a road section located about 13,083 feet above sea level, and it provides you with the most stunning panoramic views of various Himalayan Peaks. Whether you visit the pass in the winter or in the summer, you’re sure to find beautiful sceneries. Don’t forget to wear layers during the winter as it becomes freezing in Chele La Pass.

Punakha Dzong

Visit this historical monastery if you don't plan to hike or do any harder activity. Punakha Dzong is a popular site for coronation ceremonies and weddings. It is also the final resting place of Bhutan’s most prominent figures. You can take a rest at either of the three (3) courtyards. Also, you can spend a quiet moment with the gushing sounds of both the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers.

Jigme Dorji National Park

The Jigme Dorji National Park is a hiker’s paradise. You can pick from various trails and see some of the country’s most significant wildlife. Including the Bengal tiger, the takin, the snow leopard, and many more! The Jigme Dorji National Park was the first that allowed Bengal tiger and snow leopard to cohabitate in high altitudes. It is also home to many flora species so you should expect to learn a lot if you visit.

It is also home to many native flora species, so you should expect to have a learning-filled trek should you wish to proceed. It can be a challenging trip but if you have experience in Nepal, you will do great here.