Cambodia Traffic Fines and Penalties: What Drivers Need to Know (2026)

By Testdrive KH team · June 14, 2026

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If you drive in Cambodia - whether you’re a long-time resident, a new license holder, or an expat getting used to local roads - it’s worth understanding how traffic fines and penalties actually work, beyond just memorizing a price list. This guide covers the categories of violations that commonly lead to fines, how alcohol limits and document checks work, what happens at a checkpoint, and how solid preparation (a real license plus genuine theory knowledge) is still the best way to avoid almost all of it.

Quick summary: fines in Cambodia are set by law and government sub-decree and apply to categories like no helmet, no license, speeding, drink driving, missing documents, and traffic light/sign violations. Amounts change over time, so always confirm current rates locally rather than relying on anything you read online - including this article.

How traffic enforcement works in Cambodia

Traffic law in Cambodia is enforced primarily by traffic police, who carry out both routine patrols and fixed or mobile checkpoints, especially in larger cities like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville, and along major highways during holiday periods. Officers can stop vehicles to check documents, inspect helmets and safety equipment, and observe compliance with traffic signals, lane rules, and speed limits.

When a violation is found, the standard process is generally: the officer explains the violation, may show or reference the relevant rule, and issues a fine according to the current schedule set by sub-decree. In some cases - particularly serious ones like driving without any license at all, or significant drink driving - a vehicle can be temporarily impounded or the driver may be asked to go to a police station.

The exact fine amounts for each violation type are set by the Royal Government of Cambodia through sub-decrees under the Law on Road Traffic, and these amounts are periodically reviewed and adjusted. Because of that, this article focuses on the categories of violations and what to expect, rather than printing specific numbers that could be outdated by the time you read this.

Common violations that lead to fines

While the exact peso-for-peso amounts vary and change, the categories of violations that most commonly result in fines in Cambodia are fairly consistent and map closely to what’s covered on the theory test itself:

• Helmet violations - not wearing a helmet, or wearing it unfastened, as a motorbike rider or passenger. This is one of the most commonly enforced rules, especially in cities.
• License and registration issues - driving without a valid license for your vehicle category, an expired license, or a vehicle that isn’t properly registered or doesn’t have valid plates.
• Speeding - exceeding the posted or default speed limit for the road type and vehicle category.
• Drink driving - operating a vehicle while over the legal blood alcohol limit (more on this below).
• Missing documents - not carrying required documents such as your driver’s license, vehicle registration card (“blue card”), or other ID when requested.
• Traffic light and sign violations - running red lights, ignoring stop or give-way signs, or disregarding lane markings and one-way restrictions.
• Unsafe or illegal maneuvers - things like illegal U-turns, driving against traffic, using a phone while driving, or carrying more passengers than allowed (especially relevant for motorbikes and tuk-tuks).

Each of these categories typically carries its own fine level, with some - like drink driving or driving entirely without a license - treated more seriously than others. Reviewing the Traffic Rules and Speed & Alcohol Limits categories on Cambodia Test Drive is a good way to get familiar with which behaviors fall into which bucket, even without memorizing exact peso amounts.

The Cambodia drink driving alcohol limit

Cambodia’s traffic law sets a maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for drivers, and - as in many countries - the limit is generally stricter for drivers of commercial vehicles, taxis, buses, and other public transport, where the standard can be at or close to zero tolerance.

The practical takeaway is simple, and it’s the same one tested on the theory exam: if you’ve been drinking, don’t drive. Limits and penalties for drink driving have been tightened over recent years as part of broader road safety efforts, and the consequences for being over the limit can include a significant fine, license suspension, and in serious cases, vehicle impoundment or further legal action.

Rather than trying to calculate “how many drinks” puts you near a limit, the safest and most predictable approach - especially in a country where you may not be familiar with local enforcement standards - is to plan ahead: arrange a ride, designate a sober driver, or simply don’t ride or drive after drinking. The Speed & Alcohol Limits category in the app covers the underlying rules in more detail if you want to understand the reasoning behind them.

What happens if you’re caught without a license or documents?

Is it legal to drive without a license in Cambodia? No - operating a motor vehicle without a valid license for that vehicle category is against the law, regardless of how experienced a driver you are or how short the trip is. If you’re stopped without a license, you can typically expect:

• A fine for the “no license” violation itself.
• Possible vehicle impoundment until a licensed person can collect it, or until the issue is resolved.
• In some cases, being asked to attend a local police station, particularly if there are other complicating factors (an accident, other violations, etc.).

If you simply forgot your physical license or vehicle registration card at home but otherwise hold a valid one, the outcome is often less severe than not having a license at all - but it can still result in a fine for not carrying required documents, and you may be asked to bring the documents to the station afterward. Either way, the fix is the same: always carry your license and your vehicle’s registration (“blue card”) whenever you’re on the road, and make sure both are current and valid for the vehicle you’re driving.

If you’re not yet licensed, the right move is to go through the proper licensing process - starting with the theory test - rather than driving unlicensed while you “get around to it.” Beyond the legal risk, the theory test exists because it covers genuinely useful knowledge for staying safe on Cambodian roads.

What happens if you fail the driving theory test - and how many times can you retake it?

What happens if you fail the driving theory test in Cambodia? Nothing dramatic - you simply don’t pass that attempt, and you’ll need to retake the test before you can move on to the practical exam and get your license. Most testing centers require a short waiting period before you can sit the test again, and there may be a small retest fee depending on the center.

How many times can you retake the driving test in Cambodia? In general, there’s no strict cap on the number of attempts - you can keep retaking the theory test (after each waiting period) until you pass. That said, repeated failures add up in lost time, transport to and from the testing center, and sometimes repeat fees, so it’s far more efficient to be well prepared before your first attempt.

The theory test typically covers around 25 multiple-choice questions across road signs, traffic rules, speed and alcohol limits, license and document requirements, and motorbike-specific rules, with a pass mark commonly around 80%. For a full breakdown of the format, see our complete guide to the Cambodia driving theory test. The most reliable way to avoid a retake is straightforward: work through category practice until you’re consistently scoring above the pass mark in every category, then take a few timed mock exams to get comfortable with the format and time pressure before your real test.

What to do at a Cambodia traffic police checkpoint

What to do at a Cambodia traffic police checkpoint comes down to a few simple habits that make the whole interaction quicker and less stressful for everyone:

1. Slow down and pull over safely when signaled, in a spot that doesn’t block traffic.
2. Turn off your engine and have your documents ready - driver’s license, vehicle registration (“blue card”), and ID if requested.
3. Stay calm and polite. Answer questions directly and avoid arguing, even if you disagree with something - it rarely helps in the moment and there are better ways to raise concerns afterward.
4. If you’ve genuinely committed a violation, cooperate with the standard process for receiving and addressing the fine.
5. If something feels off - for example, you’re asked for payment in a way that doesn’t match the standard process - you’re generally entitled to ask for the officer’s name or ID and to request a receipt for any payment made. Staying calm and documenting details (mentally or otherwise) is more useful than getting confrontational on the spot.

The single biggest factor in how smoothly a checkpoint goes is usually preparation: a valid license, current registration, a helmet on your head, and documents within easy reach. Most checkpoint stops for properly licensed and equipped drivers are quick and routine.

Good preparation avoids most fines

Almost every fine category above traces back to one of two things: not having the right license/documents, or not knowing (or following) the underlying traffic rule. Both are entirely within your control before you ever get on the road.

• Get properly licensed through the official process, including passing the theory test honestly rather than memorizing answers - the rules behind the questions are the same rules enforced on the street.
• Know the speed, alcohol, and right-of-way rules for the vehicle you’re driving, not just in theory but as habits.
• Carry your documents every time, and keep your license and registration current.
• Wear your helmet properly if you’re on a motorbike or scooter - it’s one of the most visible things checkpoints look for, and far more importantly, it’s what protects you in an accident.

If you’re preparing for your theory test or just want a refresher on the rules, Cambodia Test Drive offers free mock exams and category practice in English and Khmer, including dedicated road sign flashcards and a Speed & Alcohol Limits category that covers exactly the kind of rules discussed in this article.

A note on accuracy

This article is general guidance only and not legal advice. Traffic fine amounts, enforcement procedures, and alcohol limits in Cambodia are set and periodically updated by government sub-decree and can change without much public notice. Always confirm current fine amounts, limits, and procedures with the General Department of Land Transport, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, or your local traffic police before relying on any specific figure - including any number you might see elsewhere online.