Landmines
Most of Cambodia is at risk from landmines, but the border with Thailand is the worst place to be.
The landmines still work in a lot of rural Cambodia.
If you go to the north and north-west of Cambodia, stay on the paths that are marked.
Take extra care if you’re going to other temples in the Siem Reap area that aren’t near Angkor Wat.
Driving permits
If you want to drive a car or ride a motorcycle that is bigger than 125cc, you need a Cambodian driver’s (or motorcycle) licence, or your Australian driver’s licence and an International Driving Permit, if you want to do that.
You can apply for a Cambodian licence that is the same as your Australian licence in person at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s main office in Phnom Penh. You can also apply in person at their offices in Phnom Penh’s Aeon Mall 1 and Aeon Mall 2 and in Siem Reap’s Heritage Walk mall. Tests must be done at the main office to get a Cambodian licence if you don’t have a valid licence from another country.
If you have an Australian driver’s licence and an International Driving Permit, you can only drive the cars on the list. You must have both documents with you when you drive a car in Cambodia, and you must follow all the country’s traffic rules.
On a motorcycle with less than 125cc of engine capacity, you don’t need a licence to ride. This is the law in Cambodia. However, make sure to check with your insurance company as well. Even if you’re fully licenced, some travel insurance companies may not cover you for riding a motorcycle at all, even if you have insurance. Unless you have an Australian motorcycle licence, other people won’t cover you. Even if you’re riding an electric bike that doesn’t have an engine that’s less than 125cc.
Road travel
It is dangerous to drive at night,
wandering livestock
the risk of being robbed on a bad road
A lot of people drive badly. Vehicles and roads are often not well taken care of.
Cities have very busy streets. Drivers often break road rules.
Every day in Cambodia, people get hurt in road accidents that are very bad. A lot of people get hurt on motorcycles, buses, and coaches every year.
Large crowds can quickly form after a road accident. If you get into an accident, people might try to take advantage of you and get money from you.
For motorcyclists, the speed limit is:
30 km per hour in cities
60 km per hour outside the city.
Other drivers can’t go over:
40 km per hour in the cities
At 80 km per hour outside of cities.
When you ride a motorcycle, you must wear a helmet to protect your head from the sun.
In 30 days, you have to pay the fine at a payment centre. The best way to get a receipt is to always ask for one first.
If you’re going to drive:
learn about traffic rules in your area
during the night, do not drive.
Motorcycles
There are a lot of motorcycles used for public transportation in cities. As a driver or passenger, make sure that your insurance policy covers you for riding on a bike.
Always use a helmet.
Most of the helmets in Cambodia don’t meet Australian safety standards. If you want to:
Expecting to ride in a lot of motorcycle taxis while in Cambodia for a motorcycle tour.
Official, metered taxis are usually safe and easy to use. However, be aware of scams and safety risks.
In Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville, there are registered drivers who use ride-sharing services. Services are very limited in Kampot and Battambang.
Motorcycle taxis (moto), tuktuks, and rickshaws are often used for short trips. They have been marked down.
There are a lot of drivers who don’t use metres. They may charge based on:
passengers travelled
a certain amount of distance
during the day
Drivers sometimes take passengers without knowing where they are going. The nearest pagoda is often a good way to figure out where you’re going.
Before riding a motorcycle, tuktuk, or rickshaw:
the fare and the best route should be agreed upon with the driver.
A pandemic called COVID-19 has shut down rail service. As soon as services start again, you should expect to see a lot of changes and interruptions in your schedules with little notice.
People who travel by sea do so because they want to
By boat, it’s possible to get hurt.
Islands off the coast of Sihanoukville have been hit by boats that were taking people to visit them.
Even if the boat is modern, it may be too crowded and not have basic safety gear.
For safety on the water:
Check with your tour operator or boat manager to make sure that any boat you plan to board has enough safety gear, including life jackets for all passengers. Even if other passengers don’t, you should always wear your life jacket.
If safety rules are not being met, look for another boat.
Taking a flight is a way to get
A local plane’s safety and maintenance may not be very good.
Local airlines often have to cancel or change flights at short notice.
DFAT doesn’t give information about the safety of commercial airlines or flight paths.
With the Aviation Safety Network, you can see how safe Cambodia’s airspace is.
