Can you drive in Indonesia with a foreign licence or IDP?
You can drive in Indonesia with a foreign driving licence and an international driving permit (IDP) if you have a valid tourist or short-term visa. However, you must always carry both your IDP and your original home-country licence when driving to avoid fines.
ASEAN citizens from Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam may drive in Indonesia on their domestic licence without an IDP for short stays or tourist visits under the 1985 ASEAN Agreement. If the licence is not in English, a certified translation is required.
Note: If you plan to stay in Indonesia for more than 90 days, you must obtain an Indonesian driver's licence.
Do you need to convert your foreign driving licence in Indonesia?
You must convert your foreign driver's licence to an Indonesian one if you obtain a long-stay visa or become a resident.
Here are other situations where you need to convert your foreign licence
Note: Indonesia doesn't have a direct conversion process like other countries, such as the UK, Spain, and the US, with reciprocal country agreements. This means you will have to obtain an Indonesian driving licence, and its validity starts from the date of issue. It doesn't inherit the validity timeline from your local licence, like the EU/EEA countries' driving licence conversion.
Which countries' driving licences can be used or exchanged?
Indonesia doesn't have a public list or a reciprocal agreement system like EU/EEA countries. Also, they do not have a direct one-to-one conversion system, meaning you will obtain the driver's license like any other resident. However, licences from the following countries are commonly presented by applicants in Indonesia:
United Kingdom
United States
Australia
Germany
France
Netherlands
Japan
South Korea
Singapore
Malaysia
India
Canada
New Zealand
Spain
Italy
Norway
Portugal
Mexico
Brazil
South Africa
Note: The local SATPAS office in Indonesia manages the licence application process. Always verify directly with your local SATPAS to avoid mistakes.
Who is eligible to obtain or convert a licence as a foreigner in Indonesia?
The eligibility requirements for obtaining an Indonesian SIM as a foreign depend on your age, immigration status and passing the required assessment.
Have a valid visa or residence permit (KITAS or KITAP)
Must be at least 17 years old for both SIM A (cars) and SIM C (motorcycles).
Have a valid foreign driving licence and IDP.
Pass a basic medical check (vision, blood pressure, general fitness) and a psychological assessment.
Pass theory and practical tests, depending on the office and your circumstances.
Types of driver's licences in Indonesia
There are two types of Indonesian driving licences:
Private vehicle licence in Indonesia
SIM A: For private passenger cars and vehicles up to approximately 3,500 kg.
SIM C: For motorcycles and mopeds, and is frequently required alongside or instead of a SIM A.
SIM B1: For passenger and private individual goods vehicles such as minibuses and trucks with a weight of more than 3500kg.
SIM B2: For heavy vehicles, including large trucks and buses. Subject to stricter conditions and typically not available to foreign nationals.
SIM D: For disabled persons to drive the special vehicle.
Public vehicle licence
SIM BI UMUM: The public vehicle licence equivalent of SIM BI. It also follows the same weight and vehicle requirements.
SIM BII UMUM: The public vehicle licence equivalent of SIM BII. It also follows the same weight and vehicle requirements.
Documents required for Indonesia foreign driving licence conversion
Valid foreign driving licence
Passport: original plus a copy of the photo page and relevant visa/stamp pages.
Residence permit (KITAS or KITAP)
Proof of the latest entry stamp into Indonesia, if requested
Proof of address in Indonesia: a rental contract, a utility bill, or an official domicile letter from your local village administration (surat domisili).
Medical test results: Vision, blood pressure, and general health check.
Psychological test results
Passport-style photographs
Payment receipts for licence issuance fees and administrative charges
Certificate or letter from your home country's licensing authority confirming your licence is valid. You might need a certified translation into Indonesia and an apostille for the certificate.
Step-by-step: how to convert a foreign driving licence in Indonesia
The process for converting a foreign driver's license in Indonesia involves confirming eligibility, gathering documentation, completing a test, submitting an application, and additional steps. Here's an overview:
Step 1: Check your eligibility and local rules
You must hold a valid Temporary Residence Permit (KITAS) or Permanent Residence Permit (KITAP) and be at least 17 years old. There might be other location-based requirements in different cities. Contact the SATPAS in your location to confirm the requirements for converting a foreign driver's license in that city.
Step 2: Gather your required documents
Gather all necessary documents for your application and ensure their validity. Typical documents include your passport, residence permit, and foreign driver's licence. If a document is not in English or Bahasa Indonesia, obtain a certified translation to prevent rejection. Some documents may require apostille certification or legalisation, depending on their country of origin.
Step 3: Book an appointment at your local SATPAS
SATPAS offices in larger cities like Jakarta or Bali might require booking an appointment in advance due to the high demand. You should book your appointment early to avoid the last-minute delays.
Step 4: Pay the required fees and submit your application
Go to a Polres (Police Resor) or Satpas (Satuan Penindakan dan Pelayanan) office to submit your application. You will also have to pay the Indonesian driving licence application fee to complete this step. The fee ranges from IDR 100,000 to IDR 250,000 depending on the licence category.
Step 5: Take theory and practical tests
You must take a theory and practical driving test for your vehicle and licence type. However, if you hold a valid IDP and driver's licence, you may be exempt from the test.
Step 6: Receive your Indonesian SIM
Once approved, you will receive your Indonesian SIM within 5 working days. However, the timeline varies and can take weeks depending on the city and circumstance. The Indonesian SIM is usually valid for 5 years, and you can renew it before it expires.
Costs and fees of converting a foreign driving licence in Indonesia
Converting a foreign licence in Indonesia costs IDR 300,000 - 400,000. Issuance fees cost about IDR 100,000 to 250,000, while additional charges for health checks, psychological tests, and certified translation may bring the total to IDR 400,000.
Here's a breakdown of the different costs
Licence issuance fee: IDR 100,000 - IDR 250,000
Health test: IDR 35,000 - IDR 75,000
Psychological test: IDR 60,000 - IDR 100,000
Translation of a foreign licence: IDR 600 - IDR 150,000
Processing times for converting a foreign driving licence in Indonesia
Converting a foreign driving licence to an Indonesian SIM usually takes 1 to 5 days. Actual timelines depend on the city and whether you apply in person or through a service. Expect the following:
Do you need certified translations for Indonesia licence conversion?
Documents not in Bahasa Indonesia or English require a certified translation for acceptance by the SATPAS or Indonesian authorities. Commonly translated documents include foreign driving licences, overseas medical certificates, and police clearance certificates.
Why use Translayte for your Indonesia licence conversion translations?
Translayte provides certified translation for driving licence conversion in Indonesia for $31.75 per page, delivered in 12-24 hours. Our certified translation is handled by professional translators and accompanied by a signed certificate of translation accuracy, ensuring it's accepted by Indonesian authorities. When we handle your certified translation, you get
Certified translations into Bahasa Indonesia, formatted for use with Indonesian authorities and consulates where applicable
Coverage of 150+ languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, and more
Fast turnaround in 12 to 24 hours with the option of express delivery for urgent requests.
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A responsive customer support team is available 24/7 to address your concerns.
Additional services on request, including apostille, notarisation, and courier delivery of a paper copy.
Request a free quote to get certified document translation for driver's licence conversion in Indonesia.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Assuming your IDP is enough as a resident: An IDP is designed for tourists and short-term visitors, not residents. Once you have a KITAS or KITAP, you need to be working towards a SIM.
Turning up without an appointment: Many SATPAS offices are busy, and walk-ins are not always allowed. Check whether your local office requires advance booking and plan accordingly.
Bringing documents in a foreign language without certified translations: If your licence, validity letter, or medical documents are not in Bahasa Indonesia, you need to get certified translations sorted before your appointment.
Using an expired foreign licence as the basis for conversion: Your home licence needs to be valid. An expired licence won't be accepted, and may disqualify you from the process entirely.
Not checking local requirements in advance: The process in Bali may differ from that in Jakarta or Surabaya. Always contact the local SATPAS to verify the information and any unique requirements.
Applying for documents late: If you need to request a letter from your home licensing authority, do so well in advance. Most of these documents take weeks to arrive; requesting early ensures your application isn't delayed.
