Getting an Indonesian driving licence (SIM) in Bali

Indonesia's driving licences are issued by the police under Police Regulation No. 5 of 2021 on the issuing of driving licences. The two classes most residents need are:

• SIM C — motorbikes with an engine capacity up to 250 cc
• SIM A — cars

A personal SIM is valid for 5 years and can be renewed before it expires.

If you're only visiting, the regulation recognises an international driving permit issued abroad, valid in Indonesia under the UN Convention on Road Traffic or other international agreements. Our scooter guide covers what that means for visitors.

Source: Korlantas Polri — Peraturan Kepolisian No. 5 Tahun 2021 tentang Penerbitan dan Penandaan SIM, set 19 February 2021, read 8 October 2026.

For a new SIM, the regulation lists these requirements, with specific provisions for foreign nationals:

1. a completed SIM registration form, on paper or as an electronic registration receipt
2. a copy of your immigration documents, shown in the original
3. a copy of a driving education and training certificate from an accredited driving school, issued no more than 6 months before
4. for foreigners working in Indonesia, a copy of your work permit from the ministry responsible for manpower
5. biometric recording — fingerprints and/or facial or retina recognition
6. proof of payment of the official fee

Applicants take a theory test, a skills test and a practical test. The regulation also provides briefing material on traffic law, basic technique, vehicles, how to drive, road procedures and accidents — and says this material is given in Indonesian for citizens and English for foreign nationals.

With an accredited driving school's certificate in hand, getting your SIM is a manageable step — and a valuable one: riding legally matters to your safety, and to any insurance claim if things go wrong.