Is it ok for a foreigner to drive a rental car in Laos?
I will be traveling between Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and surroundings.

Yes but you will need a international drivers license issue by your country.

Yes it is ok. You will not need an international driver's licence as no such thing exists. You will also not need an international driver's permit - your own country's licence will do.

There is no such thing as an <i>"international driver's permit"</i> as well and the proper name is "International Driving Permit" but that's not really the issue here.

Hm.. My mistake re the wording for the International Driving Permit but I strongly suggest that you obtain an international driving permit if you are to drive outside of your country.

From the United Kingdom government: <i> "You need an International Driving permit to drive In Laos" source: https://www.gov.uk/living-in-laos

From DriverAbroad.com: <i> "You need an International Driving permit to drive In Laos". source: http://www.driverabroad.com/countrie...-in-asia/laos/

http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/Fre...%20driving.htm

http://jclao.com/driving-laos-license-need/

From living in Lao for 9 years: " "You don't need an International Driving permit to drive In Laos". sic. It is actually Lao, not Laos.

Lancaster Lad, your link to Stefan's web site - JCLao, is for those who live here, not for those who hire a car here.

In case the OP is from a member country of the ASEAN community: http://www.asean.org/communities/ase...ur-9-july-1985

Here's another official document from the Netherlands embassy in Bangkok citing the particular Laotian law on the requirement for foreigner driving while in Laos:

<i>"If an agreement does not exist between Laos and the Country of issuance of the license, an
international license is required.  Foreigners must have an international driving license that has
been issued overseas valid for one year11 or they must apply for an international driving license
issued in Lao PDR.12   To transfer a license to an international driving license from Lao PDR,
foreigners must submit an application for the Department of Transport.13  The application for
transfer must be certified by the organization for which they work with, and accompanied by a
copy of their overseas driving license and photos.14 This process generally takes about 1‐4
weeks".</i>

The above quote is from the Laotian government: Regulation of the Ministry of Public Work and Transport No. 3416/MCTPC dated September 4th 2002 on the
Management and Testing of Driving Licenses for Land Traffic, Art. 9 & Appendix 1.

So Hanuman thinks that Wikipedia is a reliable source. Are you aware that anyone can (and does) write entries into Wikipedia. It has as much credence as toilet paper. Did you by any chance write the entry you cite?

VB, most countries require an international drivers license - even if you don't know what it is. What is required by law and what happens in practice may well be different. I wouldn't rely on your word to tell me what the law is, but I hear that you haven't been asked for one. This is one of those things where you might not need it until you really need it - like a fender-bender accident. I've heard reports from people who were never asked for the document until they were in some sort of accident. At that point, they risked arrest (or at least large fines) for not having the IDL.

Why would you discourage someone from getting the IDL when it is cheap and easy?

Of topic, but Kathie - actually most of the countries in the world, at least those most tourist often visit do not require an international driver's permit. The two popular ones that DO require it are Japan and Italy. Otherwise, I have driven in about a dozen countries and none of the other ones require it.

"VB, most countries require an international drivers license - even if you don't know what it is."
"
I do Kathie but apparently YOU do not. I repeat "there is no such thing." It is a permit, not a licence and in fact means that you have shown your national licence to a responsible body, such as the RAC. They issue you with a PERMIT which is in fact a translation of your licence as well as being evidence that you have a licence.
Many, (most?) countries do not require an IDP.

rkkwan - I think you might be mistaking and think that the country you're driving in does not require an IDP. Even in my own country you can get away with renting a car or motorbike without a proper license but is it legal - NO. To be safe you can always ask the proper authority, like the embassy of the country you're intending to drive in.

I've just found another website on the subject and this one cite the UN resolution, latest and still current update 1968. It also explain that there is no proper, or official name for an international driver's license and can be useful for any foreign travel.

http://www.international-drivers-lic...un-convention/

This is from the US DMV and I hope it will help clear up the point on whether an international driver's license is require or not:

<i>"International Driving Permits
In most cases, a driver’s license issued in the U.S. won’t be recognized abroad. However, if you need to drive for a short-term period, you have options.

Many governments accept the international driving permit (IDP), which allows citizens of a foreign country with a valid driver’s license to drive while traveling in a foreign country.

What Is an International Driving Permit?
The International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that grants someone the privilege of driving a motor vehicle legally while abroad. It does not replace your government-issued driver’s license."</i>

http://www.dmv.org/international-driver-permits.php

Hanuman - That's is a private website. Not from any government agency.

OK thanks I didn't see the banner at the top! Here's the official version, pretty much the same wording:

http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...checklist.html

And here's a paragraph from the Californian DMV on what they say about the proper name to call the international driver's license:

<i>"The IDP is also called an International Driver License, International License, etc"</i>
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#BDLP

Very different wording, Hanuman. But anyways, this is not the proper forum for such discussion. I will leave it at that. And again, I have absolutely no idea about driving in Laos.

rkkwan I just read the opening paragraph under "International Driving Permit" only.

From the private website: <i>"International Driving Permits
In most cases, a driver’s license issued in the U.S. won’t be recognized abroad. However, if you need to drive for a short-term period, you have options.

Many governments accept the international driving permit (IDP), which allows citizens of a foreign country with a valid driver’s license to drive while traveling in a foreign country."</i>

From the State Department website: <i>"If you plan to drive overseas, you may need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP). Many countries do not recognize U.S. driver’s licenses, and it is illegal to drive without a valid license and insurance in most places. You should check with the Embassy of the country where you plan to travel, to find out more about the driver’s license and car insurance requirements. Foreign embassy and consulate contact information can also be found on the Country Specific Information for each country."</i>.

I just noted the point about how many countries do not recognise US driver's license.