Petrol Head wrote:V12 I owe you an apology - I have clearly misinterpreted.
No problem, happens to me every now and then to
Petrol Head wrote:If a tourist, then the way to drive a car is via Scoffer/Dads method; securing a international license from home prior to leaving.
The international drivers license is not recognized as a valid drivers license in Cambodia. Though, it's a sufficient proof of being able to drive to obtain a Cambodian drivers license on top of that. When you are stopped on the street by the police, you can pay your way out, no problem.
The car insurance is another thing. They do only recognize the Cambodian drivers license as a valid one. If you don't have a valid Cambodian drivers license, the insurance will wave the claim in case of an accident. That's why serious and established rental companies (like Lyna) refuse to rent out cars when the renter doesn't have a Cambodian drivers license.
So, yes, you can drive on the roads turning the steering wheel without having a Cambodian drivers license, but it's illegal and you don't have insurance cover.
FYI: I did spell out 3 different car insurance contracts to get the real status about this and all of these state the above.
The rental person, where I rented a car the last time, also made a subtle remark about a failing insurance coverage without, etc, when I was about to drive off. He seemed to become much more relaxed when I showed him my Cambodian drivers license
Up to you, to ignore this, though better not suggest this to others, without at least mentioning the consequences of your statements.
Petrol Head wrote:If here for more than 3 weeks my fella will get you a Khmer license (including commission, license pick up and to the door delivery) for $45.
Yeah, if your fella is able to get an accepted Sangkat address confirmation (real or fake) then this route is the normal one, nothing special on that. It's some $40-$45.
Petrol Head wrote:As OSS says - 1 year's validity for giving over another license (Western/intl) more if you take the test.
Yep, do the local exam for some $250 and you can get a 5 years Cambodian drivers license. If it's based on the foreign drivers license, you only get 1 year.