Destinations / Laos
Driving in Laos as a visitor
Usually yes. Laos expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Standard delivery included. Need it sooner? Express lands by for $25 more.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Laos expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | Local rules |
| Valid for | Not recognised |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 191 (police), 195 (ambulance) |
| Top speed limit | 90 km/h highways (110 on the new expressway) |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Expected. Hand it over with the licence, never instead of it. |
| Booklet format they know | Local rules |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in LAK. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Helmets | Helmets mandatory for motorbikes. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.05% alcohol limit. |
| In the car | Livestock and pedestrians on rural roads. |
On the road in Laos
At the pump
Stations sell regular and premium petrol (benzin/gasoline) and diesel and are usually attendant-served; pumps are common along main roads but sparse in remote mountain areas, so fill up in towns and carry kip cash as card acceptance is patchy.
After a crash
Dial 191 for police (1623 for traffic police, 1195 for ambulance); you must stop and report any injury crash to traffic police, and note that foreign drivers involved in accidents can be barred from leaving the country until compensation is settled, so contact your embassy and rental insurer immediately.
Sources: internationaldriversassociation.com · autourasia.com · internetlaos.com · idaoffice.org
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Laos?
Usually yes. Laos expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Which IDP format does Laos accept?
Laos recognises the Local rules format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Laos ask for one?
Vientiane desks request an IDP; carry passport and home licence too.
How fast can you get one?
Express orders are emailed within 5 minutes. The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay and the order is refundable for 30 days.