New driving license procedure for foreigners
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2017 1:21 am
Apparently the law changed recently and if you want to renew your 1 year khmer license you now have to visit the Department of Public Works and transport in the far north outskirts of the city, although there is apparently an office in Sihanoukville according to a recent Facebook post. Agents cannot do it for you. I tried all the usual including Lucky and they cannot help anymore.
So i trotted off at 7 am this morning and arrived at the ministry at 8. Staff opened up at 8.30 and first step they quickly check your papers and then send you across the carpark for an eye test. They check your weight and height by asking you what they are and fill in a few forms and relieve you of $2.50.
Step 2 back to the office to have all your papers checked, about 6 times and then you are given a piece of paper to take to the Wing office in the car park and pay $7.25. Bring back the receipt and wait for the new license to be printed.
So what do you need?
1 YOU MUST HAVE a current valid license for your country of origin. if it has expired you will not get your khmer licesne renewed and they will tell you to go book a test. A German guy and 2 Philippinos were turned away while i was there because their licenses had expired
2 You need a photocopy and original of your passport id page and your visa page with 6 months visa still to run. I had 5 months and they were ok with that, but if you have less you may have a problem. There is a free photocopy machine in the same block as the eye test
3 Photocopy and original of your driving license from your home country. This must be in Khmer or English. if not they will make you get it translated at your embassy. Having said that a Czech guy explained that there was nowhere in Cambodia to get a translation, and they let him get away with it, so up too you.
I was not asked for a lease or any form of proof of address, they just used the address on the old license.
Someone else asked if they still needed a license for a 125 and the desk clerk said no-one needs one, including foreigners
All in all it took around 4 hours plus traveling time. An hour of that was wasted waiting for staff to turn up for work, which they did eventually, and a delay when the printer ran out of ink so not so bad as i was expecting.
If you want to take the test you will get a 10 year license depending on your age. I think license expire when you reach 66 or around that age so check before you do it.
Also if you want to take the test, or it is your first application to swap your home country license for a khmer 1 year license you now HAVE TO provide a lease and a residence certificate from the Sangkat where you live. Mine was a renewal so they didn't ask for any proof of address.
Finally, if you don't have a Khmer to take with you, one of the agents called Kim is often there and she speaks perfect English and knows everyone in the office. if you want her to hold your hand she can be contacted on 092256388 or 081 820 388. She was the only agent there when i went and the office staff don't speak much English
So i trotted off at 7 am this morning and arrived at the ministry at 8. Staff opened up at 8.30 and first step they quickly check your papers and then send you across the carpark for an eye test. They check your weight and height by asking you what they are and fill in a few forms and relieve you of $2.50.
Step 2 back to the office to have all your papers checked, about 6 times and then you are given a piece of paper to take to the Wing office in the car park and pay $7.25. Bring back the receipt and wait for the new license to be printed.
So what do you need?
1 YOU MUST HAVE a current valid license for your country of origin. if it has expired you will not get your khmer licesne renewed and they will tell you to go book a test. A German guy and 2 Philippinos were turned away while i was there because their licenses had expired
2 You need a photocopy and original of your passport id page and your visa page with 6 months visa still to run. I had 5 months and they were ok with that, but if you have less you may have a problem. There is a free photocopy machine in the same block as the eye test
3 Photocopy and original of your driving license from your home country. This must be in Khmer or English. if not they will make you get it translated at your embassy. Having said that a Czech guy explained that there was nowhere in Cambodia to get a translation, and they let him get away with it, so up too you.
I was not asked for a lease or any form of proof of address, they just used the address on the old license.
Someone else asked if they still needed a license for a 125 and the desk clerk said no-one needs one, including foreigners
All in all it took around 4 hours plus traveling time. An hour of that was wasted waiting for staff to turn up for work, which they did eventually, and a delay when the printer ran out of ink so not so bad as i was expecting.
If you want to take the test you will get a 10 year license depending on your age. I think license expire when you reach 66 or around that age so check before you do it.
Also if you want to take the test, or it is your first application to swap your home country license for a khmer 1 year license you now HAVE TO provide a lease and a residence certificate from the Sangkat where you live. Mine was a renewal so they didn't ask for any proof of address.
Finally, if you don't have a Khmer to take with you, one of the agents called Kim is often there and she speaks perfect English and knows everyone in the office. if you want her to hold your hand she can be contacted on 092256388 or 081 820 388. She was the only agent there when i went and the office staff don't speak much English