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Driving in Laos
The rules of the road as our desk recorded them, native unit first.
Driving side
Right
Speed limits
40 / 90 / 100 km/h · 25 / 56 / 62 mph
urban / rural / motorway
International permit (IDP)
Required · Vienna 1968
An IDP is legally required and rarely checked - but rental insurance, where it exists at all, depends on it. Most motorbike rentals in Laos carry no insurance whatsoever; assume you are personally liable for the machine.
Blood alcohol limit
0.08%
Tolls
The Vientiane–Vang Vieng expressway is tolled; other roads are free.
Headlights
Not required by day.
Child seats
No effective requirement and no rental stock.
Mountain roads are narrow, unlit and shared with livestock; do not ride after dark. Rental shops commonly hold your passport as deposit - leave a copy and a cash deposit instead if you can negotiate it.