international driving myanmar
Is it illegal to drive a car by oneself as a foreigner in Myanmar?
<p>Is it illegal to drive a car by oneself as a foreigner (French citizen and US permanent resident) in Myanmar?</p>

<p>I have read some for conflicting information, e.g.</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/asia-south-east-asia-mainland/topics/rent-a-car-with-no-driver" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/asia-south-east-asia-mainland/topics/rent-a-car-with-no-driver</a> (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20191014065125/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/asia-south-east-asia-mainland/topics/rent-a-car-with-no-driver" rel="nofollow noreferrer">mirror</a>): illegal</li>
<li><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294190-i9408-k12302225-Self_Drive_in_Myanmar_as_of_2018_early_2019-Myanmar.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294190-i9408-k12302225-Self_Drive_in_Myanmar_as_of_2018_early_2019-Myanmar.html</a> (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20191014064926/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294190-i9408-k12302225-Self_Drive_in_Myanmar_as_of_2018_early_2019-Myanmar.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">mirror</a>): legal</li>
</ul>

<p>But none of these webpages refer to any official text anyway.</p>

<p>There does not appear to be a straightforward official answer. The <a href="http://www.myanmarrtad.com/?q=en/article/79" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Road Transportation Administration Department</a> states the rules for licenses, which include the following:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>(l)      Required  documents  to  apply  International  Driving 
  Permit (IDP)                                                (i)<br>
  Valid  domestic  driving  licence  (genuine  and  copy) (ii)     Valid
  passport  (genuine  and  copy) (If  applicant  has  been  in the 
  other  country,  passport  copy  can  be  allowed) (iii)    (3)
  passport  size photos (iv)    FEC (20) or US $ (20)</p>
  
  <p>(m)    Required  documents  to  exchange  Myanmar  driving  licence 
  from  Foreign driving  licence (i)      His / Her Driving  Licence 
  (genuine  and  copy) (ii)     Passport (genuine  and  copy) (iii) (3) photos (iv)    Application  form  of  concerned  company (v) 60 FEC  and  (1200ks)  for  Right  Hand  drive  countries (iv)    70
  FEC  and  (1200ks)  for  Left-Hand  drive  countries</p>
</blockquote>

<p>They are not a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention though AAA notes on the IDPs which it issues that Myanmar "honors" such permits. <a href="https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsIII.aspx?src=IND&amp;mtdsg_no=XI-B-19&amp;chapter=11&amp;Temp=mtdsg3&amp;clang=_en#EndDec" rel="nofollow noreferrer">There is evidence</a> that they accepted the 1968 Vienna convention. In principle, it seems one can pass the licensing hurdle.</p>

<p>However, you may be required to borrow a car from a friend, buy one, or rent in another country and drive in. <a href="http://www.myanmarrtad.com/?q=en/article/118" rel="nofollow noreferrer">The 1989 Motor Vehicle Law</a> Rule 113 says (in the English version):</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Unless a "D" driving licence or a "E" driving licence prescribed under
  rule 98, Chapter IV of these rules is held no person shall be entitled
  to drive a hired vehicle concerned.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>I should point out that rule 98 of those rules in in Ch. V and says nothing about licenses, and the relevant rule seems to be rule 58 (5=၅, 9=၉). Correspondingly, car rental companies all seem to rent car and driver, not just car.</p>
