Renting a car in Cambodia is not recommended. But it is possible. However, you do so at your own risk. Because Cambodia is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, guests must have an international driver's license to drive a car in Cambodia.
The national Road Traffic Law requires foreign nationals staying in Cambodia for more than 6 months to obtain a Cambodian driver's license. But, in fact, you need a local license to rent a car anyway, otherwise the police are almost guaranteed to pick on you. Getting one is tricky. Locals may give you a car without the proper documents. But this is a dangerous risk, since cars with foreigners are checked often and qualitatively. You won't find a better rental car with driver in Cambodia.
Prices for this kind of car rental in Cambodia depend on where you rent. On average, it's 30-50 USD per day. And the main tip - be sure to bargain. It's about three times cheaper to rent a regular tuk-tuk.
Traffic on the roads is chaotic. In the cities there are few traffic lights, markings and any road signs, and locals rarely follow the rules of the road. The quality of the road surface leaves much to be desired. Outside the major cities, there is almost nowhere with asphalt, and potholes and potholes filled with water are almost the norm. Highway 1, the main road in the country, is more or less good.
If you do rent a car, you will be required to sign a contract in which you agree to pay the full cost of repairing the car in case of breakdowns and accidents, as well as to fully reimburse you if the car is stolen. Unfortunately, such measures are quite justified. So don't leave your car unattended and use paid parking lots whenever possible.
About the speed limit in Cambodia:
- In urban areas, 30 km/h for motorized vehicles
- 40 km/h for cars
- The country has a network of gas stations of some of the world's major companies like Total, Caltex.
The cost of a liter of gasoline in Cambodia is quite high. Thus, the cost of gasoline 95 - 1.15 USD per liter, gasoline 92 - 1.05 USD per liter, diesel fuel - 0.90 USD per liter.
Licensed paid parking lots do not exist in the country. Most large shopping centers provide parking spaces to their visitors at the price of 0.25-0.50 USD per hour, small stores and restaurants - as a rule, for free.
Be aware that traffic law enforcement in Cambodia is virtually unenforced. In the case of local drivers, that is. Violations abound. But foreigners risk running into problems. According to the national traffic law, in the event of an accident, a driver needs to:
- Slowly stop the vehicle being driven in such a way that it does not cause a traffic violation and does not cause harm to other road users;
- immediately contact the local municipal authorities or the traffic police;
- assist the injured at the scene and take all possible measures to get them to a medical facility as soon as possible;
- provide assistance to the injured at the scene and take all possible measures to get them to a medical facility;
- Ensure the preservation of evidence and the collection of witnesses to the accident;
- stay at the scene of the road accident until mutual settlement of claims with other participants in the accident or until the traffic police authorize you to leave the scene of the accident.
In the case of an accident that resulted only in damage to the vehicles involved (no casualties), local law allows for mutual settlement of claims between the parties without calling the traffic police.
Fines in Cambodia for traffic violations are conditional. Foreign drivers are picked on, it is difficult to get an official fine, it is easier to pay an agreed amount. On average, the price starts at 5 USD.
You can rent bicycles from hotels, private individuals or travel agencies. Rental costs 1-2 USD per day. Rental shops, for example, are plentiful in Siem Reap, sometimes offered by hotels as well. It's convenient for getting around major cities, but don't go to the outskirts or beyond.
