Driving in Asia – Let’s explore here
If you’re thinking about driving in Asia on an overland journey, you should make yourself aware of the different regulations for each country. Our Asian country pages detail lots of information by country. This page summaries information for the whole of Asia on international driving permits, carnet de passages requirements, as well as other useful information.
Do you require an international driving permit in Asia?
You may require an international driving permit in Asia, depending on which country you are travelling through. There are three types of permit: 1926, 1949 and 1968. For UK citizens, international driving permits can be bought from the post office.
The 1968 permit lasts for 3 years or until your UK driving licence expires, whichever comes first. A 1926 or 1949 permit lasts for 12 months.
The table below shows which international driving permit is required for each Asian country.
Can you use your UK driving license when driving through Asia?
For some Asian countries you do not require an international driving license, as your UK driving license is valid. This is especially the case for short term visits, or when transiting through the country on an overland journey.
The table below shows which Asian countries you can drive in with your UK driving license.
You may also find it useful to refer to our other information on driving abroad within each individual country page, as well as our information on obtaining a Carnet de passage. You may also find it useful to refer to our other information on visas.
International driving permit and Carnet de passage information by Asian country
| Country | International driving permit | Carnet required | Notes |
| Afghanistan | 1949 | ||
| Armenia | 1968 | Green card required. Buy at border for 5000AMD (£10). Also have to pay 10000AMD (£20) car import tax (obtain car declaration form) | |
| Azerbaijan | 1968 | Green card required | |
| Bahrain | 1968 | UK driving licences valid for 90 days | |
| Bangladesh | 1949 | ||
| Bhutan | 1949 | UK driving licences valid for 90 days | |
| Brunei | 1949 | UK driving licences valid for 3 months. Gabon driving licence required after 3 months. | |
| Cambodia | Any | A Cambodian driving licences required. An International Driving Permit is required to apply for a Cambodian licence. Local travel agencies can arrange this for a fee. | |
| China | – | A Chinese driving licence is required. You must also have valid insurance. | |
| Cyprus | – | UK driving licences valid indefinitely | |
| Georgia | 1968 | UK driving licences valid up to a year | |
| India | 1949 | Yes | |
| Indonesia | 1949 | Yes | |
| Iran | 1968 | Yes | UK driving licences valid for 6 months. |
| Iraq | 1968 | Yes | |
| Israel | 1968 | Green card required | |
| Japan | 1949 | Yes | IDP valid for 1 year. Japan driving licence required after 1 year. |
| Jordan | 1949 | Yes | Green card required |
| Kazakhstan | 1968 | ||
| Kuwait | 1968 | Yes | Green card required |
| Kyrgyzstan | 1968 | UK driving licences valid for 30 days | |
| Laos | 1949 | ||
| Lebanon | 1949 | Yes | |
| Malaysia | 1949 | Yes | IDP valid for 1 year. Malaysia driving licence required after 1 year. |
| Maldives | 1968 | ||
| Mongolia | 1968 | ||
| Myanmar | 1968 | Yes | IDP must be exchanged for a local driving licence. A small charge will be made |
| Nepal | 1949 | Yes | IDP valid for 15 days then a local licence must be obtained |
| North Korea | – | North Korea driving licence required. | |
| Oman | 1968 | Yes | UK driving licences valid for 6 weeks. Oman driving licence required after 6 weeks. |
| Pakistan | 1968 | Yes | |
| Palestinian territories | 1968 | Green card required | |
| Philippines | 1968 | UK driving licences valid for 90 days. Philippines driving licence required after 90 days. | |
| Qatar | 1968 | Yes | |
| Russia | 1968 | ||
| Saudi Arabia | 1968 | UK driving licences valid for 90 days. Saudi Arabia driving licence required after 90 days. | |
| Singapore | 1949 | Yes | IDP required for stays longer than 30 days |
| South Korea | 1949 | ||
| Sri Lanka | 1949 | Yes | IDP must be accompanied by a recognition permit available for a small fee from the AA of Ceylon in Colombo |
| Syria | 1949 | ||
| Taiwan | 1949 | Take passport, IDP and a passport photograph to local Motor Vehicles Office to get IDP validated | |
| Tajikistan | 1968 | ||
| Thailand | 1949 / 1968 | ||
| Timor-Leste | – | UK driving licences valid indefinitely | |
| Turkey | 1968 | Yes | UK driving licences valid for 6 months. Turkey driving licence required after 6 months. |
| Turkmenistan | 1968 | ||
| United Arab Emirates | 1968 | Yes | UK driving licences valid indefinitely |
| Uzbekistan | 1968 | UK driving licences valid indefinitely | |
| Vietnam | 1968 | ||
| Yemen | 1949 / 1968 |