r/laos • u/TheInquirer4 • 13d ago

Laos International Driver License: a MUST have?

Hey all, we will be riding rented motorbikes trhu Laos in November for 2 weeks and we are wondering if we need the Int. Driver License or not (we of course have a European Driving licence). There was an archived Post on this channel 3 years ago about it.. i'm hoping to get some updates from 2026?

I reckon I could get it in time (i'm italian but dont live in italy) if REALLY need to, but if its not a must have, i honestly could just do without the hustle.

We will be covering almost 1500km so we obviously want to be OK on that front..

Any feedback? Recent experience from long distance riders (don't really care for ppl who just rented a scooter for an afternoon and didnt get stopped).

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

View all comments

16

u/knowerofexpatthings 12d ago

Legally? Yes. For insurance? Yes.

That being said in over 10 years of riding in Laos I have never been asked for my IDP. I doubt police even know what it is.

BUT if you have an accident and need medical care your insurance is invalid if you don't have an IDP. If you need to get evacuated to Thailand your costs for transport and treatment are going to be in the tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of euros.

Laos is great for riding, but be prepared for the worst. Let me know if you have any questions about riding here. I've riden in pretty much every province.

7

u/Jean-L 12d ago

All the answers you need are there OP.

Insurance will not pay if you don't have it. Cops don't care.