---
title: "Driving licences for foreigners in Indonesia: international permits, Satpas requirements, fees and renewal"
canonical: https://panduanwarga.org/en/guides/driving-licence-foreigners-indonesia/
language: en
category: "Vehicles & licences"
reviewed: 2026-09-25
modified: 2026-09-25
publisher: "Panduan Warga (independent; not a government website)"
reviewed-by: "Kaiser Khan (https://panduanwarga.org/en/about/kaiser-khan/)"
---

# Driving licences for foreigners in Indonesia: international permits, Satpas requirements, fees and renewal

**Can foreigners drive in Indonesia, and how do they get a SIM?**

Police Regulation 5/2021 states that an international driving permit issued by another country is valid in Indonesia under the UN Convention on Road Traffic or other international agreements. Foreigners living in Indonesia can apply for a local licence (SIM) at a Satpas office with a passport and KITAP, or a KITAS if they work as experts or study, plus proof of active JKN membership, health and psychology tests, and theory and practical tests. The government fee is Rp120,000 for a new SIM A and Rp100,000 for a new SIM C; renewals cost Rp80,000 and Rp75,000.

## What you need to get an Indonesian driving licence as a foreigner

- Your passport and stay-permit card: a KITAP, or a KITAS for experts and students; embassy staff use diplomatic documents.
- A copy of your work permit from the manpower ministry, if you work in Indonesia.
- Proof of active JKN (BPJS Kesehatan) membership.
- A physical health certificate (valid 14 days) and a psychology test pass certificate (valid six months).
- A driving course certificate, or a competency verification letter from an accredited driving school if you learned on your own.
- Your old SIM for renewal or replacement.

## How to get an Indonesian driving licence as a foreigner

1. **Check whether your foreign permit is enough.** For a short visit, carry an international driving permit from your home country; Police Regulation 5/2021 states that permits issued by other countries are valid in Indonesia under the UN convention or other international agreements. In Bali, Governor's Circular 7/2025 asks foreign tourists to hold a valid international or national licence.
2. **Make sure your stay permit qualifies for an Indonesian SIM.** The Police Regulation lists immigration documents for a SIM: a passport and KITAP for permanent residents; a passport and diplomatic documents for embassy staff or family; or a passport and service visa or KITAS for experts and students. Foreigners who work also attach their work permit.
3. **Arrange JKN and the health and psychology tests.** Make sure your JKN membership is active; if it is not, you must arrange it before the SIM is handed over. The doctor's certificate is valid for 14 days and the psychology pass certificate for six months.
4. **Go to a Satpas office and pay the government fee.** You can start registration in the Digital Korlantas app, but a new SIM requires attending a Satpas office for identification and testing. Hand in your documents, pay the fee at the bank counter at the Satpas, then have your photo, fingerprints and signature recorded.
5. **Take the theory and practical tests.** The theory test uses the E-AVIS system; the knowledge briefing is provided in English for foreigners, and the pass mark is 70. After that, take the practical test for your licence class.
6. **Collect your SIM and renew before it expires.** A SIM is valid for five years and can be renewed before it expires. Online renewal in Digital Korlantas verifies an e-KTP; without one, ask about renewal at the Satpas office. An expired SIM must be applied for as a new SIM.

## How much it costs to get an Indonesian driving licence as a foreigner

Government fees under PP 76/2020: a new SIM A Rp120,000 and a new SIM C, CI or CII Rp100,000; renewal of SIM A Rp80,000 and SIM C Rp75,000; a new international driving permit Rp250,000 and renewal Rp225,000. Health and psychology tests are paid separately to the provider.

What lets a foreigner drive, by stay status, checked 25 September 2026

| Status | Basis for driving | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tourist or visit-visa holder | International driving permit from your home country | Valid under the UN convention or other international agreements (Police Regulation 5/2021). In Bali, Governor's Circular 7/2025 asks for a valid international or national licence. |
| KITAP holder | Indonesian SIM from a Satpas office | Passport and KITAP. You can also apply for an Indonesian international permit, which is valid only abroad. |
| KITAS holder working as an expert or studying | Indonesian SIM from a Satpas office | Passport and KITAS or service visa; attach your work permit if you work. |
| Embassy staff or family | Indonesian SIM from a Satpas office | Passport, diplomatic visa, diplomatic member card and other identification. |
| Other KITAS holders, such as family or retirement | Ask the Satpas office | Police Regulation 5/2021 does not name these categories explicitly. |

Korlantas's guide estimates the health and psychology tests at around Rp75,000–Rp100,000 in total and says insurance offered on site is optional. These are estimates, not government fees.

## An international driving permit from your home country

The Road Traffic Law says licences issued by other countries can be valid in Indonesia where a bilateral or multilateral agreement exists. Police Regulation 5/2021 specifies that international driving permits issued by other countries are valid in Indonesia under the UN Convention on Road Traffic or other international agreements. It does not list countries; ask the police if you are unsure whether your country's permit is recognised.

An international permit issued by Indonesia, by contrast, is valid only in other countries. Digital Korlantas requires foreigners applying for one to upload a photo of their KITAP together with a valid Indonesian national SIM; it is valid for three years.

- [Police Regulation 5/2021 on SIM issuance](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/216588/perpol-no-5-tahun-2021)
- [Digital Korlantas: international driving permits](https://digitalkorlantas.polri.go.id/sim-internasional/)

## Why some police pages disagree

Some regional police pages still repeat lists from Chief of Police Regulation 9/2012, including a passport and visit permit for foreigners not living in Indonesia, and different SIM validity periods for experts and tourists. That regulation was revoked by Police Regulation 5/2021.

Police Regulation 5/2021, as amended by Police Regulation 2/2023, names only the KITAP, diplomatic documents, and a service visa or KITAS for experts and students. Follow the newer rules, and check with the Satpas office before you go if your stay permit falls outside those categories.

- [Police Regulation 2/2023: amendment to Police Regulation 5/2021](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/247376/peraturan-polri-no-2-tahun-2023)

## Health, JKN and testing requirements

The physical health check covers eyesight, hearing and physical condition, and is done by a police doctor or a doctor recommended by the police. The psychology test assesses cognitive ability, psychomotor skills and personality. Korlantas says both tests can be arranged through e-Rikkes and e-Ppsi or on site.

Police Regulation 2/2023 added proof of active JKN membership as a requirement. Applicants who do not yet meet it must arrange JKN membership before the SIM is handed over. The Korlantas guide says officers check BPJS Kesehatan status when documents are submitted.

The minimum age is 17 for SIM A and SIM C, 18 for SIM CI and 19 for SIM CII. The knowledge briefing before the theory test is given in Indonesian, or in English for foreigners.

- [Korlantas: SIM guide](https://korlantas.polri.go.id/panduan-sim/)

## Driving in Bali and penalties for driving without a licence

Bali Governor's Circular 7/2025 asks foreign tourists to hold a valid international or national licence, wear a helmet, obey signs, not overload passengers, and rent four-wheel vehicles from official rental businesses or associations. In November 2025, the Bali Police traffic directorate urged foreigners who are not skilled riders not to ride motorbikes on their own; Bali Police recorded 142 accidents involving foreigners in 2024.

Under the Road Traffic Law as adjusted by Law 1/2026 on criminal penalty adjustment (in force since 2 January 2026), driving without a SIM carries a fine of up to Rp1,000,000, and being unable to show a valid SIM when stopped carries a fine of up to Rp250,000. The confinement penalty in both articles has been removed.

- [Bali Provincial Government: Governor's Circular 7/2025 for foreign tourists](https://bmc.baliprov.go.id/news/title/tertibkan-turis-asing-yang-berulah-di-bali-gubernur-koster-keluarkan-se-nomor-7-tahun-2025)
- [Law 22/2009 on Road Traffic and Transport](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/38654/uu-no-22-tahun-2009)

## Things to check carefully

- Paying a "SIM for foreigners" agent to skip the tests. A SIM is issued to applicants who pass the tests, and a SIM issued unlawfully can be revoked.
- Assuming an Indonesian-issued international permit can be used in Indonesia. It is valid only abroad.
- Arriving at the Satpas office with inactive JKN membership.
- Using a doctor's certificate issued more than 14 days earlier.
- Letting your SIM expire. An expired SIM cannot be renewed in the app and must be applied for as a new SIM.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can tourists drive in Indonesia with an international driving permit?

Police Regulation 5/2021 states that international driving permits issued by other countries are valid in Indonesia under the UN Convention on Road Traffic or other international agreements. Carry a valid international permit; in Bali, Governor's Circular 7/2025 asks for a valid international or national licence.

### Can a tourist get an Indonesian SIM?

The current Police Regulation 5/2021 does not list a visit permit among the immigration documents for a SIM; it names the KITAP, diplomatic documents, and a service visa or KITAS for experts and students. Police pages that still mention visit permits refer to Chief of Police Regulation 9/2012, which has been revoked.

### How much does a SIM cost for a foreigner?

Government fees are the same for foreigners: Rp120,000 for a new SIM A, Rp100,000 for a new SIM C, Rp80,000 to renew SIM A and Rp75,000 to renew SIM C. Health and psychology tests are paid separately to the provider.

### Do foreigners need BPJS Kesehatan to get a SIM?

Yes. Police Regulation 2/2023 requires proof of active JKN membership for personal and commercial SIMs. If you do not yet meet it, you must arrange JKN membership before the SIM is handed over.

### Is the SIM theory test available in English?

Police Regulation 5/2021 states that the knowledge briefing before the theory test is in Indonesian for citizens or English for foreigners. The theory test uses E-AVIS with a pass mark of 70.

### How does a foreigner renew a SIM?

Apply before it expires and bring your old SIM. Online renewal in Digital Korlantas verifies an e-KTP; without one, ask about renewal at the Satpas office. An expired SIM must be applied for as a new SIM.

### What is the penalty for driving without a licence in Indonesia?

A fine of up to Rp1,000,000 for driving without a SIM, and up to Rp250,000 for being unable to show a valid SIM when stopped (Law 22/2009). Since Law 1/2026 on criminal penalty adjustment took effect on 2 January 2026, the confinement penalty in both articles has been removed, while the fine amounts are unchanged.

### Can foreigners get an international driving permit in Indonesia?

Yes, KITAP holders who already hold an Indonesian SIM can. Digital Korlantas asks for photos of the KITAP, passport and valid national SIM; the government fee for a new permit is Rp250,000. An Indonesian international permit is valid only abroad.

## Official sources

1. [Peraturan Polri 5/2021 tentang Penerbitan dan Penandaan SIM](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/216588/perpol-no-5-tahun-2021) (accessed 2026-09-25)
2. [Peraturan Polri 2/2023: perubahan Peraturan Polri 5/2021](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/247376/peraturan-polri-no-2-tahun-2023) (accessed 2026-09-25)
3. [Korlantas Polri: panduan SIM](https://korlantas.polri.go.id/panduan-sim/) (accessed 2026-09-25)
4. [Korlantas Polri: lampiran PP 76/2020 tarif PNBP Polri](https://korlantas.polri.go.id/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/lampiran-PP-No-76-tahun-2020-ttg-tarif-jenis-PNBP-Polri.pdf) (accessed 2026-09-25)
5. [PP 76/2020 tentang jenis dan tarif PNBP Polri](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/156770/pp-no-76-tahun-2020) (accessed 2026-09-25)
6. [UU 22/2009 tentang Lalu Lintas dan Angkutan Jalan](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/38654/uu-no-22-tahun-2009) (accessed 2026-09-25)
7. [Digital Korlantas: SIM internasional](https://digitalkorlantas.polri.go.id/sim-internasional/) (accessed 2026-09-25)
8. [Digital Korlantas: FAQ](https://digitalkorlantas.polri.go.id/faq/) (accessed 2026-09-25)
9. [Pemprov Bali: SE Gubernur 7/2025 tentang tatanan baru bagi wisatawan asing](https://bmc.baliprov.go.id/news/title/tertibkan-turis-asing-yang-berulah-di-bali-gubernur-koster-keluarkan-se-nomor-7-tahun-2025) (accessed 2026-09-25)
10. [Tribratanews Polri: imbauan Polda Bali bagi WNA pengendara motor](https://tribratanews.polri.go.id/blog/nasional-3/cegah-kecelakaan-lalu-lintas-polda-bali-larang-wna-kendarai-motor-jika-tak-terampil-mengemudi-95193) (accessed 2026-09-25)
11. [UU 1/2026 tentang Penyesuaian Pidana](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/337869/uu-no-1-tahun-2026) (accessed 2026-09-25)

## Related guides

- [Renew an Indonesian driving licence online with SINAR](https://panduanwarga.org/en/guides/renew-driving-licence/)
- [Check an Indonesian ETLE traffic notice safely](https://panduanwarga.org/en/guides/check-etle-traffic-fine/)
- [KITAS and KITAP stay permits: extensions, conversion, fees and overstay](https://panduanwarga.org/en/guides/kitas-kitap-stay-permits/)

---

Source: Panduan Warga, https://panduanwarga.org/en/guides/driving-licence-foreigners-indonesia/ (reviewed 2026-09-25). General information, not legal or financial advice; current agency rules take precedence.