Cambodia's roads have improved dramatically over the past decade. The highway from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is now a smooth four-hour drive. The road south from Phnom Penh toward Kampot and Kep along the Gulf of Thailand is genuinely beautiful. Foreign nationals driving in Cambodia require a valid International Driving Permit alongside their home country licence. Cambodia drives on the RIGHT side of the road. Motorcycle culture dominates — the Honda Dream and Honda Wave are the workhorses of Cambodian roads, with scooter rentals widely available throughout tourist centers. Car rentals are less common as a self-drive option; most visitors hire a car with driver for longer routes. IDP documentation matters for self-drive car rental and for motorcycle riding. Apply online, digital IDP via WhatsApp in 2 hours, physical booklet delivered home before departure.
Driving International Association (DIA) is a private independent travel documentation support platform providing International Driving Permit (IDP) assistance and multilingual translation support services. DIA is not affiliated with any government authority, RTO, DMV, or licensing agency. Travelers should verify local regulations independently and always carry a valid domestic driving license.
Cambodia uses the US dollar alongside the Cambodian riel — petrol is priced in dollars and available at stations throughout the country. On long drives, fill at proper petrol stations whenever you see them. The road from Kampot toward Kep passes through a stretch with no stations for about 30km — fill before leaving Kampot town.