The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has announced that they have begun to issue international driving licenses to allow Cambodia people to drive abroad, with owners of the license legally allowed to drive in 99 countries. The announcement came during the launch of the new Public Service Centre at Chip Mong Noro Mall yesterday, in Phnom Penh. The new centre has opened for the public to facilitate the “auto system”, which covers vehicle ownership transfers, vehicle registration and driving license renewals, in cooperation with the general department of taxation. Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said yesterday that Cambodian people who have a driving license can apply for an international driving license at the ministry. He said that the drivers must pay $25 charge for the service in return for a one-year permit. “International driving’s license will allow owners to legally drive in UN member countries. The price was set in relation to the prices set in other Asean countries,” he said. Included in the 99 countries are Australia, Canada, India, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the US. Meanwhile, Chanthol said the “auto system” has been created in order to ensure a legal system of ownership, to eliminate fraud, make it easier to manage vehicles, maintain good order and social safety and especially, to ensure vehicle tax is paid to the state. “I appeal to all drivers. Some vehicles crash and people are killed and some drive while drunk or on drugs. But when the police check for the owner, someone else is registered as the owner, as ownership has not been transferred. Therefore, we need to make sure ownership is transferred for the benefit of the public,” he said. Deputy Director of the General Department of Taxation Ken Sambath said that the new auto system, which will be operated in cooperation with the ministry, is a historic achievement that is set to bring about a profound reform in public services in line with the government modernisation strategy. “The new system will give confidence to the people regarding transparency. It is also fast, effective, simple to use and will vastly improve data management,” he said. According to the Ministry of Public Works, new owners can apply for transfers by providing the relevant documents, which are the ownership transfer form, vehicle information, original vehicle identity card and also its number plate, along with a fingerprint of the person requesting the transfer. The ministry said if people wished to officially transfer ownership of vehicles but cannot find the original owner, they will also be required to provide a proof of address. According to the ministry, there were 8,810 vehicle ownership transfers done during the first five months of this year, an increase compared to the same period last year, which saw 6,678 transfers.