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Why Asia Is Different
Driving in Asia is wildly varied. Japan offers world-class roads with meticulous signage. Vietnam means navigating a constant stream of motorbikes. India demands patience, constant alertness, and a completely different driving mindset. The single biggest mistake travellers make is assuming experience in one Asian country prepares them for another.
Which Side of the Road?
| Country / Region | Traffic Side | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | Left | Excellent roads; very orderly |
| South Korea | Right | Well-signed; speed cameras common |
| China | Right | Dense urban traffic; horn-heavy |
| Taiwan (separate customs territory) | Right | Motorcycles everywhere |
| Hong Kong (SAR) | Left | British legacy; good roads |
| Thailand | Left | Chaotic in cities; better outside |
| Vietnam | Right | Motorbike-dominated; minimal lane discipline |
| Indonesia | Left | Jakarta traffic is extreme |
| Malaysia | Left | Highways are very good |
| Singapore | Left | Strictly enforced; expensive |
| Philippines | Right | ZTL-style number coding in Manila |
| India | Left | Challenging; horns = communication |
| Sri Lanka | Left | Narrow roads; buses unpredictable |
| Cambodia | Right | Traffic rules loosely observed |
Southeast Asia — The Motorbike Challenge
In Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Philippines, motorbikes and scooters outnumber cars on many roads. Driving norms are built around them. Key adaptations:
- Expect filtering — Motorbikes will flow around you at every stop
- Check mirrors constantly — A scooter can appear in your blind spot in seconds
- Slow down at intersections — Traffic from multiple directions may ignore signals
- Honk to announce presence — In many Southeast Asian countries, short honks are normal positioning signals, not aggression
- Road surfaces — Potholes, unmarked speed bumps, flooding after rain, and loose gravel are common
Night driving in rural Southeast Asia is high-risk. Unlit roads, stray animals, pedestrians without reflective gear, and unmarked hazards make driving after dark dangerous. Avoid it when possible.
Japan — The Other Extreme
Japan is one of the safest and most pleasant countries to drive in, but it has unique rules:
- Keep left — And give way to the right at unmarked intersections
- IDP required — A standard IDP from your home country plus your domestic license
- Expressway tolls — ETC card transponders are the efficient option; get one at major car rental agencies
- Narrow roads — Rural Japan has extremely narrow lanes; expect to reverse around blind corners
- Parking — Japan requires proof of parking before registering a car; as a tourist, use paid car parks (they’re everywhere but expensive in cities)
- Navigation — Enter destinations by phone number or map code (mapcode); addresses alone are unreliable in the GPS system
For full details, see our Japan destination guide.
South Korea
South Korea has an excellent road network and clear signage with English. Speed camera enforcement is strict — cameras are fixed, marked, and enforced consistently. The Seoul metro area has heavy congestion; Waze and Kakao Maps work better than Google for real-time routing.
Speed camera gotcha: Cameras often work in pairs — one for instant speed, one for average speed over a stretch. Slowing just before the camera and accelerating after will still earn a fine.
India — A Different Driving Universe
India is widely regarded as one of the most challenging driving environments in the world for foreign visitors. The difficulties are not about road quality alone — it’s the entire system of informal norms.
- Horns are communication — Used constantly to signal presence, overtaking intention, and right of way
- Lanes are advisory — Vehicles create lanes organically; formal lane discipline is rare outside premium motorways
- Overtaking — From both sides, at any time, including on hills and curves
- Pedestrians, animals, and autorickshaws — Share all roads at all times
- Night driving — Extremely risky. Vehicles with no lights or misaligned headlights, animals, and unmarked obstacles make night driving dangerous outside cities
- IDP required — Strictly enforced at rental counters
Recommendation for first-timers: Hire a local driver for the first few days. Understanding the local rhythm before taking the wheel yourself dramatically reduces risk and stress.
China — Scale and Complexity
China has the world’s longest expressway network. Roads are often excellent, but several factors complicate driving for foreign visitors:
- Foreign licences not accepted — China does not accept IDPs. Most foreign nationals cannot legally drive in China without converting their licence or being a legal resident. Verify current rules via the Chinese embassy before travelling.
- Navigation — Google Maps is blocked. Use Baidu Maps (百度地图) or Amap (高德地图); both available in English modes but primarily Chinese
- Traffic cameras — Extremely dense; urban speed enforcement is near-total
- Congestion — Beijing and Shanghai have licence plate lottery systems restricting who can drive when; rental companies handle this but confirm availability
For most foreign tourists, hiring a driver is the practical solution.
IDP Requirements Across Asia
| Country / Region | IDP Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | ✅ Yes | Standard IDP; no alternatives |
| South Korea | ✅ Yes | |
| Thailand | ✅ Yes | Widely enforced at rentals |
| Indonesia | ✅ Yes | Plus local translation sometimes required |
| Malaysia | ✅ Yes | ASEAN licences may be exempt |
| Philippines | ✅ Yes | |
| India | ✅ Yes | Strictly required |
| Singapore | ❌ No (EU/UK/Aus) | Most western licences accepted for under 12 months |
| Hong Kong (SAR) | ❌ No (most countries) | Up to 12 months with home licence |
| Vietnam | ⚠️ Complex | IDP + translation often required; check current rules |
Fuel Notes for Asia
- Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore — Modern fuel stations; self-service and full-service available
- China — Full-service standard; no self-service; 92, 95, 98 octane
- Southeast Asia — Quality varies; diesel and petrol both available; rural stations may have lower-octane fuel
- India — State-run (Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, HPCL) and private stations; quality generally consistent
Emergency Numbers — Asia Quick Reference
| Country / Region | Emergency |
|---|---|
| Japan | 110 (police) / 119 (ambulance/fire) |
| South Korea | 112 (police) / 119 (fire/ambulance) |
| China | 110 (police) / 120 (ambulance) |
| Thailand | 191 (police) / 1669 (ambulance) |
| Vietnam | 113 (police) / 115 (ambulance) |
| India | 100 (police) / 108 (ambulance) |
| Indonesia | 110 (police) / 118 (ambulance) |
| Singapore | 999 (police) / 995 (ambulance) |
| Malaysia | 999 (all) |
| Philippines | 911 |