Can foreigners drive in Myanmar?

Any foreigner can drive in Myanmar as long as they carry their home country driving licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP). This permit serves as your document that will translate your driver’s license into 12 of the widely used languages worldwide. And it doesn’t even matter whether your permit is already in English or not, if the citizens or local authorities within that country are unfamiliar with the language, you must use an IDP to translate your valid document for you.

Our IDP is valid and recognized in any of the foreign countries including the following:

• Japan
• Italy
• Australia
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Canada
• Vietnam
• Pakistan
• Brunei
• Laos
• Slovenia
• Liberia
• Cote D’ Ivoire
• Philippines
• United Kingdom
• Cambodia
• Brazil
• Spain
• Iran
• Burkina Faso
• Bulgaria
• Hungary
• Honduras
• Estonia
• Congo
• Armenia
• Iceland
• Cameroon
• Sudan
• Dominica
• Trinidad and Tobago
• and more

How do I get an international drivers license in Myanmar?

The application process to get your International Driving Permit is relatively easy. You only need to fill out the application form with the exact details that are found on your valid driver’s license. Then attach a copy of your passport-size photo. Input your credit card details to pay for the IDP fee and await all updates about your shipment via email.

What is the driving age in Myanmar?

The legal driving age to drive around Myanmar is 18 years old. However, you must have held your license for at least one year to drive there.

In addition to that, the requirement to rent a vehicle in the country is also a different age, which you may read more about through our driving guide for Myanmar.

Driving to popular tourist spots in Myanmar is straightforward when you adhere to the Myanmar driving rules and local driving manners. Many of Myanmar's driving rules resemble those in other places, making them simple to grasp.

Carry the required documents at all times

Before starting your adventure in Myanmar, make sure that you have the documents needed. There are random checkpoints in the country so make sure that you have your local driver’s license, passport, International Driver's Permit in Myanmar, and insurance documents of the car if you have any. Keep in mind that authorities can charge you without unlicensed driving in Myanmar.

Do not drink and drive

Drunk driving is against the law in Myanmar. The road conditions are insufficient enough to cause an accident, so drunk driving is considered illegal. In this country, your blood alcohol concentration should not go over 0.07%. If your blood alcohol concentration goes over the legal limit, you could face up to six years in Myanmar jail.

Don’t drive at night

If driving at night is every day in your country, it is highly discouraged in Myanmar to prevent accidents. Driving in this country is difficult since random wild animals could cross the street, bandits walking at night, and you may not see the road clearly because it’s dark. Also, there is a possible risk of armed robberies, violence, and fake checkpoints at night in this country.

Drive below the speed limit

The general speed limit in the Myanmar expressway is 100 kilometers per hour unless stated otherwise. In urban areas, the speed limit is 48 kilometers per hour, while in rural areas, the speed limit is 80 kilometers per hour due to less traffic. Drivers must avoid roads that are under construction or in harmful conditions. You must report to the authorities when there is a dangerous road condition.

Legal Driving Age

The minimum age to rent a car in Myanmar is 18 years old, and you must have held your license for one year. Unlike other countries requiring at least 25 years old to rent a car, Myanmar car rental companies do not charge an extra fee for tourists below 25 years old who want to rent a car.