Driving in Bali: the licence you actually need

A tourist needs a valid national licence plus an international driving permit obtained at home before the trip — the national licence alone is not enough. A resident holding a KITAS or KITAP can obtain an Indonesian SIM. The recurring confusion is the SIM Internasional: that document is for driving abroad and requires an Indonesian licence and a KITAP.

Updated: 25 August 2026 · Verified by the Malina Visa team

Three documents people confuse

Half the trouble in Bali comes from three different documents all being called 'a licence'.

✓Your home country licence — on its own it is not valid in Indonesia
✓An IDP, the international driving permit — issued in your own country and valid alongside your national licence
✓A SIM — an Indonesian licence, issued by the Indonesian police

The specific trap is the SIM Internasional. That is Indonesia's own version of an IDP, issued by Korlantas for driving abroad. It does nothing for a visitor: obtaining one requires a valid Indonesian licence and a KITAP.

What a tourist needs

The setup is simple and the same whether you take a bike or a car:

Your national licence

A valid licence from your own country is the foundation; nothing else works without it.

An IDP from home

The international driving permit is issued at home, before the trip. You cannot get one in Indonesia.

The right category

A motorbike needs a motorbike category. A car-only licence does not cover a bike — and that is also grounds for an insurer to decline.

!Riding on your national licence alone, without an IDP, is a breach
!'Everyone does it' persuades neither the police nor an insurer after a crash
!Rental shops often do not check, but the liability sits with the rider, not with them

What a resident can get

If you hold a KITAS or KITAP you can obtain an Indonesian SIM — more convenient than carrying an IDP.

✓An immigration document is required: a KITAP for permanent residents, a KITAS for specialists and students
✓Your passport — original and copy
✓A minimum age, a health certificate and psychological testing
✓An examination: theory and practical

The requirements are published by the regional traffic police; the exact document set and testing procedure are worth confirming at your own Satpas, as practice varies between regions.

Categories and motorbikes

The most common mistake in Bali is getting on a bike with a car-only licence.

!The category must match the vehicle: a motorbike needs the motorbike class, a car the car class
!After a crash, a category mismatch becomes a problem immediately — with the police and with your insurer
!A 125cc scooter is still a motorbike, not a 'bicycle with an engine'

A helmet is mandatory, and not as a formality: fines for riding without one are issued routinely, and in a fall it decides the outcome.

At a check and after a crash

Documents are checked selectively, but they are checked. Knowing the drill in advance beats working it out at the roadside.

✓Carry your national licence and IDP together — separately they do not work
✓Photos on your phone do not replace the originals
✓Helmets are mandatory for rider and passenger alike

After a crash, a category mismatch or a missing IDP becomes a problem on two fronts at once: with the police, and with an insurer entitled to decline. Which is why the exclusions in your policy are worth reading before you get on the bike, not after.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive in Bali on my home country licence?

No, not on its own. You need your national licence plus an international driving permit (IDP) obtained in your own country before the trip.

Where do I get an IDP?

Only in your own country, before you fly. Indonesia will not issue an international permit to a visitor — the local SIM Internasional is issued under different conditions.

What is the SIM Internasional and will it work for me?

It is Indonesia's version of an IDP, for driving abroad. Obtaining one requires a valid Indonesian licence and a KITAP, so it does not suit a tourist.

Can I get an Indonesian licence on a KITAS?

Yes — an immigration document is part of the requirements: a KITAP for permanent residents, a KITAS for specialists and students. A passport, health certificate, psychological testing and an exam are also required.

Do I need a separate category for a scooter?

Yes. A scooter is a motorbike, and a car-only licence does not cover it. A category mismatch causes problems both at a check and with your insurer.

Sort the status and the rest gets easier

A KITAS opens up a local licence, a bank account and life without the visa routine. Tell us about your situation.

KITAS and KITAP