International Driving Permit Indonesia

What is the difference between an International Driving Permit (IDP) and an International Driver’s License (IDL)?

An International Driving Permit is a small grey booklet marginally larger than a passport containing a translation of your original driving license in 10 languages, including English, French, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, and Spanish. It is recognized by 141 countries worldwide and is valid for one year.

In comparison, an International Driving License is not a legal document and cannot be used to drive in foreign countries or instead of an IDP.

How does an IDP work in Indonesia?

Foreign driver’s license holders (international license holders) can drive in Indonesia with an international driving permit for 12 months. You must carry a valid foreign driver’s license with an IDP.

How do you apply for an IDP in Indonesia?

You can apply for an International Driving Permit through our website.

How long should I expect it to take to get an IDP?

You will get a digital version of your international driving permit within 2 hours of your email. If you choose the Express Order option, you will get it within 5 minutes. The official printed IDP will be delivered to an address of your choice. It will take 2 to 30 working days to reach you, depending on the location and chosen delivery method.

United Nations Agreements on Road Traffic

The United Nations has had three international motor traffic conventions. The first was in Paris in 1926, the second in Geneva in 1949, and the last in Vienna in 1968. Many countries were contracted to honor IDPs according to defined standards during each convention.

Benefits of Carrying an IDP

Quicker traffic authority stops.

Even if the country you are traveling in allows you to use your foreign driver’s license without an international driving permit, you may still want to carry an IDP. It serves as a translation document if your valid driving license is not in a recognized language. Police officers can process your information and send you on your way quickly, saving you valuable vacation time.

Car rental companies

Most international and domestic car rental agencies will require an international driving permit even if the country they function in does not. This is because the IDP is a legal document recognized by the United Nations.

Laws requiring an IDP

Indonesia was contracted to the International Motor Traffic Convention of Geneva in 1949. International driver’s permits are recognized for one year from the issue date. You are required to carry a valid driver’s license in addition to your IDP.

Driving Requirements for Non-Citizens in Indonesia

Short-term visitors vs. residents

You are considered a short-term visitor if you come to Indonesia with a tourist or business visa. Short-term visitors are not required to get an Indonesian driving license; any visa granted over 180 days is considered a long-term visa. After registration with the Foreign Regional Registration Office, you will be regarded as an Indonesian resident and given an Indonensian resident’s permit. Foreign residents must get an Indonesian national driving license after 12 months of residency.

How long can you drive a vehicle with a foreign driving license?

You can drive for a year with a foreign driver’s license, and you should have a valid license and a valid international driving permit.

When should I get an Indonesian Driver’s License?

Even though Indonesia allows you to drive for a year with a foreign license, you should consider getting an Indonesian driving license within a couple of months if you plan on living and working in Indonesia.

When exchanging your license, you will not be required to take additional driving tests, such as the practical test. You will also not be required to get a learner’s permit per the regular procedure. If you still need a valid foreign driver’s license from a recognized country, you will be asked to follow the standard procedure for getting an Indonesian driver’s license from scratch.

Renewing Your IDP or Original Driver’s License While in Indonesia

Renewing your International Driver’s Permit

You can renew your IDP through our website.

Renewing your original driver’s license

If your license expires while abroad, you will need to renew it. Each country has a unique procedure for renewing driving licenses, and some countries have an online portal facilitating this process for expatriates living or traveling abroad. However, some countries will require a visit back home because of the prerequisite vision or medical exams. When using an international driving permit, you need a valid driving license.

Car Rental in Indonesia

Requirements for car rental

Many rental companies require you to be 18, while others will have an age limit of 21 or 23. You should have had your license for a year and an IDP in addition to your driving license. Many Indonesian car rental companies allow credit, debit, or cash rentals, and you should provide a copy of your valid passport as identification. A hefty deposit is required for almost all rentals.

Deposit and costs for car rental

Indonesian car rental agencies require a deposit of $750 to $3,000. The rental deposit for Indonesian-made budget cars like the Tata Nano will be lower. You will pay between $30 to $75 daily for a rental vehicle. A week’s rental for an average-sized four-door sedan will set you back $320, and luxury vehicles will cost considerably more.

Car insurance

Like in most other countries, the minimum required by Indonesia is 3rd party insurance cover for driving on its roads. Third-party insurance covers damage to persons, animals, or property due to your error but not any cost to yourself or your rental vehicle. You are strongly recommended to get theft and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage on your insurance policy.

Travel Insurance

Thanks to its spiritual roots, Indonesia’s crime rate is relatively low for a low-income country. However, you should get travel and car insurance to ensure a smooth visit. You should look out for these aspects when reviewing your travel insurance options:

• Hospital stays during your visit should be covered.
• Any costs incurred due to cancellation or lost deposits should be covered.
• The cost of loss of damaged baggage should be covered.
• Any liability due to excess costs not covered by your car insurance should be covered.
• Emergency dental procedures should be covered.

Driving and Safety

You may download a copy of the northern highway signage and road rules at https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/road_safety_books.pdf. You should go to the website of the state you are in or to the state’s regulatory body to obtain an up-to-date copy of the highway code.

Overtaking

You should overtake on the right-hand side in Indonesia as people drive on the left side. However, on most roads, motorists will overtake on whichever side there is free space. You are legally required to check your mirrors and ensure sufficient space is available ahead of the vehicle before overtaking.

Speed limits

You may go on urban roads at 70 km/h (44 mph). The speed limit for national highways is 100 km/h (63 mph) and 120 km/h (75 mph) for expressways. Each state may implement speed limits lower than those of the federation, and some states have urban road speed limits as low as 30 km/h (19 mph). You should read the road rules of any state you enter to know the speed limits.

Tips

• Indonesians drive on the left side of the road.
• You should be 16 to drive mopeds and motorcycles under 50 cc. The minimum age for any other vehicle is 18.
• You are legally required to wear seatbelts when in urban areas. Wearing a seatbelt is advised for non-urban roads.
• Always be prepared to come to a complete stop within a fraction of a second when in an urban setting.
• Two-wheelers and three-wheelers will rarely put on signal lights when overtaking, turning, or stopping.
• Some drivers will turn the left signal light on to go right.
• Do not listen to music or engage in other activities that might divert your attention when in an urban high-traffic area.
• You are generally only allowed to use your mobile phone if you use a hands-free device.

Drinking and driving

You can only have a blood-alcohol content of 0.03% when driving on Indonesian roads. The specific punitive measures dealt varies from state to state. However, you can expect to get fined $140 and jailed for up to 6 months if caught driving under the influence. Repeat offenses will most likely get you a jail sentence of up to 2 years with a higher fine. The penalties will be very high if you are involved in an accident while under the influence. If a person is harmed or killed due to your negligence under the influence, there is a high chance you will face mob violence. Instances where the driver’s vehicles are set on fire are not uncommon.

FAQ

Am I required to have an IDP in Indonesia?

Most countries require you to have an international driving permit in addition to a driving license when driving.

Can I drive a vehicle with a foreign license in Indonesia?

Yes, you can use your valid driving license for up to 1 year in Indonesia with the use of an IDP. You are required to get an Indonesian license after a year.

Can I use my EU driver’s license in Indonesia?

Yes, you may use it for up to 12 months in Indonesia. You need to have an international driving permit while using your license.

How long will my IDP be valid in Indonesia?

As Indonesia is contracted with the International Motor Traffic Convention of Geneva, it recognizes IDPs for 12 months from the issue.