Dedicated Center for Driver’s Licenses Opens at Aeon Mall

The country’s first dedicated driver’s license renewal center opened at Phnom Penh’s Aeon Mall on Wednesday in a ceremony presided over by new Transport Minister Sun Chanthol.

The license center—located on the shopping center’s second floor —will be open between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. seven days per week and will renew and replace car and motorbike licenses for 40,000 riel and 30,000 riel, respectively, or $10 and $7.50.

Despite its location in the capital, Mr. Chanthol said the center would help people from across the country avoid paying fees to brokers for such services.

“People in all 25 provinces [sic] can come to get a replacement or renewal at this center,” he said, adding that the process should take less than 20 minutes.

Indeed, the center’s first customers on Wednesday said they were pleased with the efficiency.

“The service is very fast,” said Phat Soumy, a 37-year-old construction worker who renewed an expired license.

“The service at the driving school is slow; it takes at least one month, and they quoted me $30.”

Chan Dara, director of the Transport Ministry’s transport department, said drivers needing to renew or replace their licenses should bring an identification card or family book, a current license and a health certificate—which can be obtained on site for $2.50.

Although municipal governor Pa Socheatvong announced in April that the center would also enable motorists to register for driver’s licenses, vehicle registration cards and license plates, Mr. Dara said on Wednesday that this was no longer the case.

“There are no services besides replacement, renewal and making a request for a driver’s license in the case of a lost license,” he said.

During a news conference after the inauguration on Wednesday, Mr. Chantol announced that the Transport Ministry planned to import two trucks from South Korea that are equipped to perform roadside vehicle-safety inspections.

“To my knowledge, each truck costs half a million dollars,” he said.

[email protected]

Related Stories

Latest News