Do you need an International Driving Permit in Laos?

Yes. Laos is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, which recognises an International Driving Permit valid for up to 1 year when carried with your national licence.

Convention
1949 Geneva Convention
Permit valid up to
1 year
In force since
6 March 1959

Laos and the road traffic conventions

ConventionStatusIn force sincePermit validity
1968 Vienna ConventionNot a party——
1949 Geneva ConventionAcceded6 March 19591 year

Which vehicles your permit covers in Laos

Laos applies the vehicle classes set out by the 1949 Geneva Convention. Your permit only covers the classes that are already on your national licence, so a category you do not hold at home is not granted by the permit.

The English page of the International Driving Agency booklet, listing vehicle categories A to E
The English page of our booklet, showing the same categories an officer in Laos would read.
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E

What each category covers under the 1949 Geneva Convention

What to carry when you drive in Laos

An International Driving Permit never replaces your national licence. It is a standardised translation that local police and rental desks can read, and it is only valid alongside the licence it was issued against. Carry both, and keep your passport handy at rental pickup, since most rental companies ask to see all three before releasing a vehicle.

Our document reproduces your licence details across 12 languages in the booklet format the conventions describe, so an officer who reads none of them in your alphabet can still find your name, date of birth and vehicle classes:

  • English
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese
  • Italian
  • German
  • Russian
  • Arabic
  • Chinese
  • Japanese
  • Thai
  • Vietnamese
The inside cover of the booklet, listing the contracting states where the permit is recognised
The inside cover lists the contracting states. Laos appears on it.

What the road rules say in Laos

The UK Foreign Office and the Government of Canada both advise carrying an International Driving Permit alongside your national licence in Laos.

Emergency services
police 1191, ambulance 1195, fire 1190

The UK Foreign Office names the 1949 convention for Laos, which matches the United Nations depositary record above.

Common questions about driving in Laos

How long is an International Driving Permit valid in Laos?
Up to 1 year. Laos joined the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic on 6 March 1959 by accession, and that convention sets the maximum at 1 year from the date of issue, or until your national licence expires if that comes first.
Can I drive in Laos on my national licence alone?
The UK Foreign Office states: "You’ll need to have both the 1949 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car." Rules differ by the country that issued your licence and by how long you stay, so confirm with Laos's road authority before you travel.
What do I dial in an emergency in Laos?
Reach police on 1191, ambulance on 1195, fire on 1190. The UK Foreign Office publishes these numbers for Laos. Save them before you drive, since you will not want to be searching for them at the roadside.
Does the permit replace my driving licence in Laos?
No. It is a translation of the licence you already hold and has no effect on its own. You must carry your original national licence with it at all times.

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Sources

  1. Convention on Road Traffic (Vienna, 8 November 1968) United Nations Treaty Collection, 91 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.
  2. Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 19 September 1949) United Nations Treaty Collection, 103 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.