Asia: Automobile Clubs, Roadside Assistance and Emergency Services www.travelplanet.cc
A practical guide for road trips, rental-car travel and driving your own vehicle across Asian countries — including emergency numbers, automobile clubs, tourist assistance, traffic differences and important rules for insurance, borders and safety.
1. Immediate Help and Emergency Rules
Asia does not have a single shared emergency number. Many countries use 112, 911 or 999 as a general emergency line, while others have separate police, ambulance and fire-service numbers. Before driving, save the destination’s emergency number, the rental company’s 24-hour assistance contact, your insurer and accommodation contacts offline.
In danger: For injuries, fire, violence, a serious accident or a dangerous traffic situation, call the appropriate local emergency service first. For a routine flat tyre or mechanical problem without immediate danger, first make the location safe and then contact the rental company, insurer or roadside service.
Key Principles
- On motorways and fast roads, prioritise your own safety and the safety of every passenger.
- Record your precise location: road, direction of travel, kilometre marker, exit, nearest town or GPS coordinates.
- Where language may be a barrier, save your address, vehicle registration, vehicle type, destination and emergency description in the local language or at least English for offline use.
- For rental cars, contact the rental company’s assistance first unless immediate danger requires local emergency help.
Note: 112 may be reachable on many GSM phones outside Europe, but it is not a reliable or complete substitute for the national emergency number in every Asian country. Never rely on it alone.
Back to table of contents2. Preparing for Asian Road Trips
Driving in Asia ranges from advanced motorways to mountain passes, desert routes, island roads and very dense urban traffic. International-driving-permit rules, local insurance, left-hand traffic and rental-car permissions vary considerably.
Prepare Before Departure
- Save the rental agreement, vehicle papers, local liability insurance and rental company’s 24-hour assistance contact offline
- Check whether your national driving licence or an international driving permit is accepted at the destination
- Obtain written confirmation that border crossings, mountain roads, island ferries, unpaved routes and specified areas are permitted
- Download offline maps, accommodation addresses in local script, fuel stations, toll information, charging points and alternative routes
- For left-hand traffic, consciously practise junctions, roundabouts, overtaking, mirror checks and road position
- Carry sufficient water, a power bank, torch, travel first-aid kit, rain and sun protection, and a cash reserve
- Check tyres, spare tyre or repair kit, fluids, windscreen wipers, battery, lights and fuel
- For high-altitude, monsoon, typhoon, snow or desert routes, check weather, closures, visibility and realistic daily travel time
- Share your route with a trusted person and agree check-in times for remote journeys
Driving licence and insurance: An international driving permit does not automatically replace local authorisation. In some countries, foreign visitors may drive only with a driver, through organised tours or not at all. Confirm this before booking a vehicle.
Back to table of contents3. Country Selection
This overview covers common Asian travel destinations and transcontinental states that are often treated as part of Asia. Self-driving is not always sensible or permitted; current safety, legal and insurance rules always take priority.
AfghanistanArmeniaAzerbaijanBahrainBangladeshBhutanBruneiChinaGeorgiaIndiaIndonesiaIraqIranIsraelJapanYemenJordanCambodiaQatarKazakhstanKyrgyzstanKuwaitLaosLebanonMalaysiaMaldivesMongoliaMyanmarNepalNorth KoreaOmanPakistanPhilippinesSaudi ArabiaSingaporeSri LankaSouth KoreaSyriaTajikistanTaiwanThailandTimor-LesteTurkeyTurkmenistanUzbekistanUnited Arab EmiratesVietnam
Back to table of contents4. West Asia and the Middle East
Many West Asian countries have good roads and rental-car infrastructure, but also desert routes, extreme heat and local insurance and border rules. In conflict or high-risk areas, self-driving may be unsuitable.
| Country | Emergency Notes | Club / Assistance | Driving Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Police 119; verify ambulance and fire contacts locally. | Do not assume reliable general tourist roadside assistance. | Current security conditions may rule out self-drive travel; official advice takes priority. |
| Armenia | 112 or 911 general emergency; police 102; ambulance 103; fire service 101. | Automobile Club of Armenia or rental assistance — check directly. | Consider mountain roads, winter, border conditions and vehicle insurance. |
| Azerbaijan | 112; police 102; ambulance 103; fire service 101. | Automobile Federation of Azerbaijan and rental assistance — check directly. | Clarify driving permissions, tolls, mountain regions and local rules in advance. |
| Bahrain | 999 for police, ambulance and fire service. | Bahrain Motor Federation or rental assistance — check directly. | Consider heat, dense traffic and local insurance. |
| Georgia | 112 integrated emergency number. | Georgian Automobile Sport Federation, rental company or insurer assistance. | Drive Caucasus passes, winter routes, weather and unpaved roads only with suitable preparation. |
| Iraq | Verify local emergency channels and actual availability very recently. | Do not assume reliable nationwide tourist roadside assistance. | Security conditions and regional rules can greatly restrict self-drive travel. |
| Iran | Police 110; ambulance 115; fire service 125. | Iran Touring & Automobile Club or rental assistance — check directly. | Check visa, payment, insurance and vehicle rules in advance; plan long desert and mountain drives carefully. |
| Israel | Police 100; ambulance 101; fire service 102. | Memsi/local assistance and rental conditions — check directly. | Consider security conditions, regional access restrictions and rental-car insurance. |
| Yemen | Verify local emergency numbers and availability very recently. | Do not assume reliable tourist roadside assistance. | Self-driving is often not advisable because of security conditions. |
| Jordan | 911 integrated emergency number. | Royal Automobile Club of Jordan or rental assistance — check directly. | Consider desert routes, Wadi routes, heat, fuel reserves and local driving rules. |
| Kuwait | 112 for police, ambulance and fire service. | Kuwait International Automobile Club or rental assistance — check directly. | Consider extreme heat, motorway traffic and insurance cover. |
| Lebanon | Police 112; ambulance 140; fire service 175. | Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon — check assistance directly. | Check current security and road conditions; plan mountain roads and city traffic conservatively. |
| Oman | 9999 for police, ambulance and fire service. | Oman Automobile Association or rental assistance — check directly. | Drive wadis, desert and mountains only with a suitable vehicle, water and clear weather information. |
| Qatar | 999 for police, ambulance and fire service. | Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation or rental assistance — check directly. | Consider heat, motorway traffic and rental-car insurance. |
| Saudi Arabia | Police 999; ambulance 997; fire service 998; 911 is a general emergency line in some regions. | Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation or rental assistance — check directly. | Very long distances, heat, desert driving and local traffic rules require reserves and careful planning. |
| Syria | Police 112; ambulance 110; fire service 113. | Do not assume reliable general tourist roadside assistance. | Current security conditions may rule out self-drive travel. |
| Turkey | 112 integrated emergency number; older service-specific numbers may still be known. | TTOK – Touring and Automobile Club of Turkey; check assistance directly. | Consider long distances, winter in the interior, tolls and local insurance rules. |
| United Arab Emirates | Police 999; ambulance 998; fire service 997; Dubai non-emergency police 901. | Automobile & Touring Club of UAE or rental assistance — check directly. | Desert driving only with approval, equipment and experience; consider extreme heat and Salik/tolls. |
5. Central Asia and the Caucasus
Central Asia and the Caucasus offer spectacular mountain, steppe and lake routes. Self-drivers should take passes, weather, fuel stations, border formalities, visas and very long distances particularly seriously.
| Country | Emergency Notes | Club / Assistance | Driving Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | 112; police 102; ambulance 103; fire service 101. | Automobile Federation of Kazakhstan or rental assistance — check directly. | Plan for steppe, winter, large distances and limited services outside cities. |
| Kyrgyzstan | 112; police 102; ambulance 103; fire service 101. | Kyrgyz Automobile Federation or local assistance — check directly. | Plan mountain passes, altitude, tracks and weather with the appropriate vehicle and reserves. |
| Tajikistan | 112; police 102; ambulance 103; fire service 101. | Tajikistan Automobile Federation or assistance — check directly. | Pamir and border routes can require permits, 4x4, fuel reserves and substantial time buffers. |
| Turkmenistan | 112; police 102; ambulance 103; fire service 101. | Turkmenistan Automobile Sport Federation or rental assistance — check directly. | Clarify entry, permit and route rules bindingly before travel. |
| Uzbekistan | 112; police 102; ambulance 103; fire service 101. | National Automobile Club of Uzbekistan or assistance — check directly. | Consider heat, long distances, tolls and border rules. |
6. South Asia
South Asia is characterised by dense traffic, monsoon conditions, mountains and very different local rules. In many destinations, hiring a driver or using organised transfers can be safer and more practical for visitors than self-driving.
| Country | Emergency Notes | Club / Assistance | Driving Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 999 for police, ambulance and fire service. | Bangladesh Automobile Association or rental assistance — check directly. | Very dense traffic, monsoon rains, flooding and limited traffic discipline demand extra caution. |
| Bhutan | Police 113; ambulance 112; fire service 110. | Bhutan Automobile Association or local travel providers — check directly. | Mountain roads, weather and bends mean long travel times; self-driving may be restricted. |
| India | 112 integrated emergency; police 100; ambulance 108; fire service 101. | Automobile Association of India or rental assistance — check directly. | Traffic, monsoon, animals, left-hand driving, tolls and regional rules make defensive driving essential. |
| Maldives | Police 119; ambulance 102; fire service 118. | Travel is island-specific; rental company or resort is the main contact. | Many islands have no conventional rental-car traffic; ferries and local transfers are more important. |
| Nepal | Police 100; ambulance 102; fire service 101; 112 may work from mobile phones. | Nepal Automobile Association or rental assistance — check directly. | Plan mountain roads, monsoon, landslides, poor visibility and long travel times very conservatively. |
| Pakistan | Police 15; ambulance 115; fire service 16; Rescue 1122 in many regions. | Pakistan Automobile Association or rental assistance — check directly. | Check mountain routes, weather, permits, security and long distances in advance. |
| Sri Lanka | Police 119; ambulance 110; fire service 111. | Automobile Association of Ceylon or rental assistance — check directly. | Left-hand traffic, dense traffic, animals, monsoon and narrow roads require generous time buffers. |
7. East Asia
East Asia has good infrastructure in many areas, but rules for foreign drivers are often strict. In China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, confirm driving-licence, translation, toll and rental conditions precisely before travelling.
| Country / Territory | Emergency Notes | Club / Assistance | Driving Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | Police 110; ambulance 120; fire service 119; traffic accident 122. | China Automobile Association or rental assistance — check directly. | A foreign or international driving licence is not generally accepted on its own; clarify local licence, translation and rental requirements in advance. |
| Japan | Police 110; ambulance and fire service 119; coast guard 118. | JAF – Japan Automobile Federation, roadside assistance; check international reciprocity too. | Consider left-hand driving, tolls, narrow roads, snow and natural hazards. The international driving permit must follow the recognised convention format. |
| Mongolia | Police 102 or 105; ambulance 103; fire service 101; 112 may be available. | Mongolian Automobile Association or rental assistance — check directly. | Remote tracks, lack of mobile signal, weather and navigation require 4x4, supplies and local experience. |
| North Korea | Local emergency procedures and travel arrangements are handled exclusively through authorised travel organisations. | Independent self-driving is generally not freely available to foreign visitors. | Follow only the instructions of authorised authorities and tour operators. |
| South Korea | Police 112; ambulance and fire service 119; tourist hotline 1330. | Korea Automobile Association or rental assistance — check directly. | Confirm dense infrastructure, tolls, navigation and licence or translation rules in advance. |
| Taiwan | Police 110; ambulance and fire service 119; tourist hotline 0800-011-765. | Automobile Association of Taiwan or rental assistance — check directly. | Mountain roads, typhoons, landslides, scooters and urban traffic require careful route planning. |
8. Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia offers attractive coastal, island and mountain routes, but traffic can be dense and dynamic. Monsoon, typhoons, motorcycle traffic, left-hand driving in several countries and limited cross-border rental-car options are major planning issues.
| Country | Emergency Notes | Club / Assistance | Driving Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunei | Police 993; ambulance 991; fire service 995. | Brunei Darussalam Automobile Association or rental assistance — check directly. | Consider left-hand traffic, rain and cross-border travel to Malaysia. |
| Cambodia | Police 117; ambulance 119; fire service 118. | Automobile Association of Cambodia or rental assistance — check directly. | Plan city traffic, unpaved side roads, rainy season and night driving carefully. |
| Indonesia | 112; police 110; ambulance 118/119; fire service 113. | Ikatan Motor Indonesia (IMI) or rental assistance — check directly. | Consider island traffic, scooters, rainy season, ferries, volcanoes and varying road quality. |
| Laos | Police 191; ambulance 195; fire service 190. | Lao Automobile Association or rental assistance — check directly. | Mountain roads, night driving, limited lighting and tracks require high caution. |
| Malaysia | 999 general emergency; 112 from mobile phones; fire service 994. | Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) — check roadside assistance and reciprocity directly. | Consider left-hand traffic, tolls, heavy rain, urban traffic and cross-border travel to Thailand or Singapore. |
| Myanmar | Police 199; ambulance 192; fire service 191. | Myanmar Automobile Association or rental assistance — check directly. | Security conditions and regional access restrictions may greatly restrict self-driving. |
| Philippines | 911 general emergency; 112 may be reachable from mobile phones. | Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) — check roadside assistance and membership. | Consider islands, ferries, typhoons, traffic and local rental-car conditions. |
| Singapore | Police 999; ambulance/fire service 995; non-emergency police 1800-255-0000. | Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS) — check worldwide reciprocal benefits and roadside assistance. | Consider left-hand traffic, electronic road pricing, strict traffic rules and the border crossing into Malaysia. |
| Thailand | Police 191; ambulance 1669; fire service 199; Tourist Police 1155. | Royal Automobile Association of Thailand (RAAT) — check club and assistance benefits. | Account for left-hand traffic, motorcycle traffic, island ferries, monsoon and highly variable road quality. |
| Timor-Leste | Police 112; ambulance 110; fire service 115. | Use rental-company and insurance assistance as main contacts. | Consider mountain roads, rainy season, limited infrastructure and border rules with Indonesia. |
| Vietnam | Police 113; ambulance 115; fire service 114; tourist assistance 1800 599 920. | Vietnam Automobile Association or rental assistance — check directly. | Confirm traffic, motorcycles, mountain passes, monsoon and the legal permissibility of self-driving in advance. |
9. Automobile Clubs, FIA and Reciprocity
Many Asian automobile clubs belong to the FIA Asia Pacific region. Reciprocity programmes may provide travel information or basic roadside assistance for members with valid membership, but benefits, distance limits, vehicle types and country coverage are never automatic.
| Country | Organisation | Official Website |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | JAF – Japan Automobile Federation | english.jaf.or.jp |
| Singapore | Automobile Association of Singapore | aas.com.sg |
| Malaysia | Automobile Association of Malaysia | aam.org.my |
| Thailand | Royal Automobile Association of Thailand | raat.or.th |
| Philippines | Automobile Association Philippines | aap.org.ph |
| India | Automobile Association of India | aaiindia.com |
| United Arab Emirates | Automobile & Touring Club of UAE | atcuae.ae |
The Automobile Association of Singapore describes worldwide reciprocal services under the FIA: eligible members of affiliated FIA/AIT clubs or AAA may receive basic roadside assistance for a limited period when presenting a valid membership card. The exact service must still be confirmed with both the home club and destination club.
FIA: Members in Asia Pacific · AAS: Worldwide Reciprocal Service
No automatic cover: Before departure, confirm in writing whether your club protection applies at the destination, how roadside assistance is requested, which towing distance and vehicle types are included, and whether rental cars, 4x4s, motorcycles, tyres, keys, underbody damage or recovery are covered.
Back to table of contents10. Rental Cars, Insurance and Borders
Rental-car conditions vary widely in Asia. Some countries permit visitors to self-drive only rarely or not at all; others require special translations, local licences, extra insurance or a deposit. In breakdowns and accidents, the rental company is normally your first contact.
When a Rental Car Breaks Down
- Secure the vehicle and call the local emergency number for danger, injuries, fire or violence.
- Then call the rental company’s 24-hour assistance contact; do not arrange repair or towing without approval unless authorities or immediate danger require it.
- Document booking number, registration plate, GPS location, road, direction of travel, photos, damage description and names of all parties involved.
- In an accident, notify police, rental company and insurer as required by the agreement, and request a report where necessary.
Border Crossings
- Cross-border travel with rental cars is frequently restricted or entirely prohibited in Asia.
- Before booking, obtain written confirmation of permitted neighbouring countries, crossings, liability cover, vehicle documents, import permissions, visas, fees and roadside help across the border.
- For ferries, island routes and mountain passes, also consider vehicle transport, weather, opening times and the return location.
11. Special Risks and Traffic Safety
The most common problems on Asian road trips do not result only from mechanical issues, but also from traffic behaviour, weather, language, complex rules and unrealistic timetables.
| Risk or Situation | What to Watch For | Useful Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Left-hand traffic | Different lane position, roundabouts, turning, overtaking and visual habits. | Practise consciously before departure, start slowly and use navigation with clear lane guidance. |
| Dense city and motorcycle traffic | Many motorcycles, pedestrians, unexpected lane changes and local driving styles. | Drive defensively, avoid tight schedules and start outside peak traffic times where possible. |
| Monsoon, typhoon and heavy rain | Flooding, landslides, poor visibility, road closures and ferry cancellations. | Check weather and public alerts, build in buffer days and avoid risky passages. |
| Mountains, highlands and winter | Snow, ice, altitude, hairpins, fog and reduced braking performance. | Use a suitable vehicle, carry warm clothing and enough fuel; use snow chains only where permitted; check weather carefully. |
| Desert and remote areas | Heat, lack of mobile coverage, distances between fuel stations and limited assistance. | Carry water, fuel reserve, offline maps and a communications plan; do not travel alone without preparation. |
| Language and writing systems | Addresses, signs and emergency communication may use an unfamiliar script. | Save address in local script, offline translation, photos of destination addresses and GPS pins. |
| Law and insurance | International driving permits, local licences, tolls, dashcam, alcohol and traffic rules. | Obtain written confirmation of legal requirements and insurance terms before booking. |
12. Checklist for a Breakdown or Accident
Stay calm and follow a clear sequence. It protects people and makes later handling with police, rental company, insurer and roadside assistance easier.
Accident or Dangerous Breakdown
- Turn on hazard lights and move the vehicle only when it is safe to do so
- Move people away from traffic and into a protected location
- For injuries, fire, violence or immediate danger, call the country-specific emergency number
- Record your location: road, direction, kilometre point, exit, nearest town or GPS coordinates
- Take photographs of the vehicle, surroundings, damage, registration plates and traffic situation where safe
- In an accident, exchange details and follow instructions from police, rental company and insurer
- Do not sign admissions of liability; document facts and request reports and receipts
Mechanical Breakdown Without Immediate Danger
- Park as safely as possible, turn on hazard lights and assess the surroundings
- With a rental car, contact the rental company or its 24-hour assistance first
- With your own vehicle, call your insurer, breakdown policy or home automobile club
- Have membership or booking number, registration, vehicle model, problem and exact location ready
- Before repairs or towing, clarify cost approval, destination garage and replacement transport
- Keep job records, invoices, photographs and names of all providers
- Where language is difficult, share location and photographs through maps and ask accommodation or assistance for translation help
Remember: In danger, call the local emergency number first. For a routine breakdown, first make the location safe and then contact the rental company, insurer or club assistance. In Asia, rental-company assistance is usually the most important roadside-help contact for rental vehicles.
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