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Langkawi Nature Blogs
Driving
Officially you need to have a valid International Driver License.
In Practice I was never asked to provide one. My Swiss driver licence was always accepted. But I do know of someone, who, after living here for some years, was asked to get a Malay Driver Licence.
Most western Driver Licence will be accepted to be transformed into a Malay Licence.
Officially, after being here for 3 months, you should have a Malay Licence.
If you would want to get an International Driver Licence, or have to get a Malay Licence, you have to go to the mainland. It can not be done here - but someone, like a Driver School (check the Directory) can do it for you.
When driving here be aware, that - although Langkawi has a Driving School and organises this licencing professionally - as far as I can see - there are still people here who drive without a proper licence.
A friend of mine, from Indonesia, recently went back to his home town (Sept. 08), and got his driver licence by paying the equivalent of about 150 USD. He had not to make any test, nor to show that he can drive. This driver licence seems to be accepted here.
Langkawi seems to be divided in different regions with different police authorities.
On the 'big' roads there is often a Police Control. They mainly check if you wear a helmet on the motorbike, whether you wear your Seat Belts in the car, if your Driver Licence is still valid, and if you have paid the road tax.
On the small roads out in the Kampungs, police will not bother the locals on the motorbikes to wear a helmet, or to have properly entertained bikes with a light at night, or to drive on the proper side of the road (the left side here!) . . .
So drive carefully.
BTW: Since the beginning of the year 2009, seat belts are compulsory, not just for passengers in the front seats but for passengers in the back seats as well.
