Order Laos driving license online: Is it really possible to get one online and how it works?

So, I’ve been in Laos for a while now, and I finally decided it was time to get a local driving license. I mean, I’ve got my International Driving Permit, but it’s not really recognized here, and I wanted to do things by the book. Plus, I was getting tired of those random police checks where I had to play the confused foreigner. It’s totally a hassle, you know.

First, I did some digging online. There’s a lot of outdated information out there, but I managed to piece together the general process. It seemed simple, but I know better than to trust things are simple in practice.

The first thing was figuring out what I actually needed. Turns out, to get a Laos driving license, you need a few documents. I had to gather these documents:

• My passport, obviously.
• A residency certificate.
• A medical certificate.
• And, of course, a bunch of passport photos.

Getting the residency certificate was a bit of a pain. I had to go to my local village chief’s office and fill out some forms, then get it stamped. Took a couple of trips because, well, things move at a different pace here.

Next up, the medical certificate. I went to a local clinic, and it was pretty straightforward. Basic check-up, eyesight test, and done. They stamped my form, and I was good to go.

With all my documents in order, I headed to the Department of Transport. I’d heard they have a new “DoT Smart App,” but I wasn’t sure how to use it, so I just went in person. The office was, let’s say, “busy.” Lots of people, lots of forms, and not a lot of English being spoken. But I managed to get in line and waited my turn.

When I finally got to the counter, I handed over my documents. The officer looked them over, made a few notes, and then told me to wait. After what felt like an eternity, they called my name, and I had to take a written test. It was all in Lao, but luckily they had an English version. It was pretty basic stuff, mostly common sense road rules.

Then came the driving test. We went out to the parking lot, where they had set up a simple course. I had to do some basic maneuvers like parallel parking, three-point turns, and driving around cones. I’ve been driving for years, so it wasn’t a big deal, but I still felt a bit nervous.

After the test, I went back inside and paid the fee for the license. It wasn’t too expensive, just a standard processing fee. They told me to come back in a week to pick up my license. So a week later, I returned, and there it was, my very own Lao driving license!

Honestly, it was a bit of an adventure. Lots of waiting, some running around, but in the end, I got it done. Now I can drive around without any worries. If you’re planning to stay in Laos for a while and want to drive, I definitely recommend getting a local license. It just makes life easier and keeps you on the right side of the law. That’s all of my share. Hope it will help you!