KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 ― The idea of a common driving licence for Southeast Asia that will allow citizens of its member nations to freely drive across national borders is being considered, Indonesian daily The Jakarta Post has reported.

Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry's director general for land transportation, Santosa Eddy Wibowo was reported saying yesterday that such an international driving licence would help with transport across the borders of Asean countries.

“[The license] will be for all citizens of ASEAN countries. It will be an international standard license at the ASEAN level,” he was quoted saying.

The official said that the Indonesian driving licences would have to be in both Bahasa Indonesia and English, with the country to also have to translate the current driving licence forms and vehicle road worthiness test certificates into English.

The report said Santosa said the proposal was considered at the ongoing Asean regional forum, which is being held from August 24 to 28 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

According to the Asean regional forum’s website, current participants include its 10 member countries, with major superpowers such as China, the European Union, Russia and US also part of the forum.

The 10 member nations of Asean are: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, which is currently its chairman.