Chhay Channyda and Lay Samean

Motorbike drivers whose rides are 125cc or less will no longer need a licence, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced yesterday evening, in a decision that will mean the majority of Cambodian drivers will be exempt from taking a driving test. In what he called a January 7 “gift for the people”, the premier ordered government officials to amend the Traffic Law in response to public concern and after meetings with Interior Minister Sar Kheng, and the ministers of finance and transport.

In a Facebook post at 7pm, the Hun Sen said the government would “eliminate driving licence A1”. “[This] means that motorbike drivers [whose bike] has a power of 125cc or less are not required to have a driver’s licence,” the premier wrote.

read more: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/licences-waived-125cc-motos

Populist idiocy at its finest from a true despot.

Well, the "driving test" part of getting a license in Cambodia was never more than a sham - basically you pay to "pass". So really all this does is save money for people who drive the least expensive type of moto, which is to say the ordinary folk. Many of whom never had licenses anyhow but regularly get shaken down by police for bribes as a result.

Not sure it will do anything for his (un)popularity though as long as the land grabs and rampant corruption in all government offices continue unabated.

I assume this applies to the barang as well?

I assume this applies to the barang as well?

I certainly hope so.

One of the biggest police scams in Cambodia is claiming that barangs need either a Cambodian or International driver's license even though it is perfectly legal to drive with any valid ASIAN driver's license. Of course there isn't a problem if you pay the police a "fine" on the spot. The police will even tell you that if you get stopped again to tell the police that you have already paid and don't need to pay a "fine" again.

Travel insurance requires that if you have an accident, then you must hold the required licence for the vehicle you're driving in order to receive coverage. This law will cause some problems

In the 1960s/70s in Vietnam any motor cycle under 50cc (Honda was the best seller as it was 49cc ) was exempt from being licenses and the driver was also exempt.

Government's message" "Feel free to drive like an idiot!"

Great job Cambodia. Hopefully Thailand doesn't emulate the stupidity.

Travel insurance requires that if you have an accident, then you must hold the required licence for the vehicle you're driving in order to receive coverage. This law will cause some problems

Right.

So no license required = home free.

In the 1960s/70s in Vietnam any motor cycle under 50cc (Honda was the best seller as it was 49cc ) was exempt from being licenses and the driver was also exempt.

In USA no DL required for under 50cc, most states.