Cambodian drivers license
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Wiley
Sep 28, 2018, 3:57:17 AM9/28/18
to Battambang Connect
This is my experience with obtaining a Cambodian motorcycle license. This is my experience, everyone is going to have something different to say.
Where to go. Phnom Penh. General Department of Public Works and Transport. Some websites have the correct location and some do not have the correct location. That’s the name on google maps and it is correct
Paperwork, one year prof of lease. This is not for the licensing department. This goes to the chief of the commune. The chief of the commune fills out a form that you take to the licensing department, if you have a good heart you will give a present. I made the mistake of bringing a letter from the chief of police of the commune. With out the proper paper work I was turned away, the same rules apply here just as they do in the US. You have to have the proper paperwork. Passport must have more than 6 months left on the visa. 5 + pictures.
Your are at the P.W. department standing in a hallway looking at four windows. I was called up to the window on the left, given a bundle of papers and told to fill them out, most of it in Khmer. Definitely bring a translator. Next you will be called into the office to have the paperwork examined. You will then be asked for a valid drivers license. In my case I had brought my expired California DMV license. Very important to keep that old license. Without the old prof of driving experience you will have to go to drivers school for x number of hours. The man at the office will point out that your license is expired, he will not mention that you can take the drivers exam. This is very important at that time tell him you would like to take the drivers exam and diving test. He will then give you an appointment time and date to take the computerized exam. Now, what are the laws here. Did you know that a person guiding a heard of cows is considered the driver? How did I know this? Google app store, Cambodia Driving Rules, looks like a steering wheel with the symbol of Cambodia on the bottom right corner. This app is fantastic and in English. All of the rules (the first half of the rules are Khmer the second half English) road signs, right of way examples and practice games.
Take a health exam. ($3?) Test eyes, look in ears. Listen to heart. Walk.
Next day test time. Computerized test, did my homework, practiced a couple of games, I passed. Appointment for the drivers test. Went to rent a larger than 125 cc motorcycle. Big problem, the rental store wanted a large deposit or passport. Needed the passport to get license. The motorcycle was in horrible condition, one block away it over heated at the gas station( of course it came with no gas) called the rental and had them come get the bike, received the deposit back. No bike, what am I to use at the drivers test? In one hour away? Went to the test anyway hoping to borrow a motorcycle. Sure enough a man a the drivers test station let me use his Honda 150 pcx.
Driving course. Go up hill, stop, go down hill turn left, watch for the man in front of you he will point to the direction you are suppose to go. Stop at the stop sign, stop at the fake railroad crossing turn left into the open area weave through the cones and then do the figure 8. Easy.
Picked up license the next day.
Couple of extra thoughts. Over 60 using your valid license to obtain a Cambodian license may get you only a one year license. Over 63 and taking the test my license is good for 4 years. All the staff is very helpful.
Everything comes down to money or not. I only paid the regular fees in fact there are signs everywhere that say no money is to be offered or accepted.
Remember this is my experience not yours. If you have had a different experience then write about it. I went to Phnom Penh two times, first time the paperwork was not correct, second time I was with my Khmer girlfriend. Much quicker though we did spend 4 days enjoying Phnom Penh the second time.
Wiley
Where to go. Phnom Penh. General Department of Public Works and Transport. Some websites have the correct location and some do not have the correct location. That’s the name on google maps and it is correct
Paperwork, one year prof of lease. This is not for the licensing department. This goes to the chief of the commune. The chief of the commune fills out a form that you take to the licensing department, if you have a good heart you will give a present. I made the mistake of bringing a letter from the chief of police of the commune. With out the proper paper work I was turned away, the same rules apply here just as they do in the US. You have to have the proper paperwork. Passport must have more than 6 months left on the visa. 5 + pictures.
Your are at the P.W. department standing in a hallway looking at four windows. I was called up to the window on the left, given a bundle of papers and told to fill them out, most of it in Khmer. Definitely bring a translator. Next you will be called into the office to have the paperwork examined. You will then be asked for a valid drivers license. In my case I had brought my expired California DMV license. Very important to keep that old license. Without the old prof of driving experience you will have to go to drivers school for x number of hours. The man at the office will point out that your license is expired, he will not mention that you can take the drivers exam. This is very important at that time tell him you would like to take the drivers exam and diving test. He will then give you an appointment time and date to take the computerized exam. Now, what are the laws here. Did you know that a person guiding a heard of cows is considered the driver? How did I know this? Google app store, Cambodia Driving Rules, looks like a steering wheel with the symbol of Cambodia on the bottom right corner. This app is fantastic and in English. All of the rules (the first half of the rules are Khmer the second half English) road signs, right of way examples and practice games.
Take a health exam. ($3?) Test eyes, look in ears. Listen to heart. Walk.
Next day test time. Computerized test, did my homework, practiced a couple of games, I passed. Appointment for the drivers test. Went to rent a larger than 125 cc motorcycle. Big problem, the rental store wanted a large deposit or passport. Needed the passport to get license. The motorcycle was in horrible condition, one block away it over heated at the gas station( of course it came with no gas) called the rental and had them come get the bike, received the deposit back. No bike, what am I to use at the drivers test? In one hour away? Went to the test anyway hoping to borrow a motorcycle. Sure enough a man a the drivers test station let me use his Honda 150 pcx.
Driving course. Go up hill, stop, go down hill turn left, watch for the man in front of you he will point to the direction you are suppose to go. Stop at the stop sign, stop at the fake railroad crossing turn left into the open area weave through the cones and then do the figure 8. Easy.
Picked up license the next day.
Couple of extra thoughts. Over 60 using your valid license to obtain a Cambodian license may get you only a one year license. Over 63 and taking the test my license is good for 4 years. All the staff is very helpful.
Everything comes down to money or not. I only paid the regular fees in fact there are signs everywhere that say no money is to be offered or accepted.
Remember this is my experience not yours. If you have had a different experience then write about it. I went to Phnom Penh two times, first time the paperwork was not correct, second time I was with my Khmer girlfriend. Much quicker though we did spend 4 days enjoying Phnom Penh the second time.
Wiley
Samuel Brien
Sep 28, 2018, 9:13:43 AM9/28/18
to Battambang Connect
A note: you don't need a license for bikes under 125cc.
Paul
Sep 28, 2018, 10:06:50 AM9/28/18
to Samuel Brien, Battambang Connect
By the way I have witnessed drivers in this country, people should be required to have a driver's license for anything from a baby's tricycle, to a train engine.
Paul
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Greg
Sep 28, 2018, 7:24:30 PM9/28/18
to Battambang Connect
https://m.phnompenhpost.com/drivers-seat-road-certification
The article is 3 years old, but I'd be shocked if the number of people with a license has gone up any significant amount. When was the last time you asked your taxi driver if he has a license? Chances are we're all doomed.
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