AsiaWorldwide
Traffic rules
Worldwide
1. Asia
Asia is the world’s largest and one of its most geographically varied continents, with road environments ranging from the megacities of East and South Asia to Himalayan mountain routes, Central Asian steppe, Arabian deserts and tropical roads affected by monsoons and typhoons. There is no single Asian traffic code. Even the side of the road varies: countries such as Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore drive on the left, while China, South Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam drive on the right. Speed limits, alcohol rules, vehicle requirements and junction priority are determined nationally and sometimes locally.
International road travel is possible across parts of Asia, and the UN-backed Asian Highway Network links more than 145 000 km of roads through 32 countries, but each section remains subject to national traffic, border and vehicle rules. Toll systems range from conventional plazas to RFID tags and fully electronic charging, while some roads are free to use. Road signs may use Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Cyrillic, Latin and numerous South and Southeast Asian scripts, so foreign drivers should not assume that written information will be in English. Driving-licence recognition also varies considerably, although some regional agreements provide additional recognition.
Is there one set of traffic rules for all of Asia?
No. Every country has its own traffic laws, and some rules can also vary between states, provinces, cities or road authorities. Always check the rules for each country on your route.
Can you use a foreign driving licence anywhere in Asia?
No. Foreign-licence recognition is country-specific. Some countries accept qualifying foreign licences or International Driving Permits, while others require translations, temporary permits or a locally issued driving licence.
Is an International Driving Permit always enough to drive in Asia?
No. An IDP is useful or required in some countries, but it is not a universal Asian driving permit. For example, some jurisdictions impose additional domestic licensing requirements even when a driver holds an IDP.
