Driving in Cambodia as a United States National

Cambodia offers adventurous driving through Phnom Penh chaos, Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, and limited road infrastructure dominated by motorbikes. Dust roads, monsoon flooding, and unpredictable traffic make it challenging.

Key Things to Know First

IDP Required

Cambodia requires an International Driving Permit for foreign visitors. Obtain one in United States before departure.

How to get an IDP

Same Side of the Road

Both United States and Cambodia drive on the right. No adjustment needed.

Speed Signs Use km/h

United States uses mph, but Cambodia uses km/h. Verify your GPS or navigation app is set to the correct unit.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Rule	United States	Cambodia	Change?
Traffic side	Right-hand traffic	Right-hand traffic	Same
Speed unit	mph	km/h	Yes
IDP required	—	Yes	Yes
Min. driving age	16	18	Differs
Emergency number	911	117 / 119	Different
Road difficulty	Easy	Challenging	—

Speed Limits in Cambodia

Urban

40 km/h

Rural / Open road

80-90 km/h

Highway / Motorway

90-120 km/h

Speed limits in Cambodia are posted in km/h (kilometres per hour). Quick reference: 50 km/h ≈ 31 mph · 100 km/h ≈ 62 mph · 130 km/h ≈ 81 mph.

Documents to Carry in Cambodia

Original driving licence from United States — must be valid and unexpired
International Driving Permit (IDP) — required in Cambodia. Obtain from your national motoring association before travelling.
Passport or national ID — carry at all times while driving
Car insurance certificate — verify it covers Cambodia before departure
Vehicle registration / rental agreement

Emergency Number in Cambodia

117 / 119

Primary emergency number in Cambodia. Save it before you drive.

Emergency numbers for all countries

Full Cambodia Driving Guide

Road rules, toll system, fuel types, parking, regional quirks — everything you need for driving in Cambodia.

Read the complete guide