Do you need a licence to ride a scooter in Bali?
By the alrity team in Kerobokan, Bali · Updated 1 Nov 2026
Yes. To ride a scooter legally in Bali you need a licence that covers motorcycles: your home licence with the motorcycle category plus an International Driving Permit (IDP) that also shows it, or an Indonesian SIM C. A car-only licence doesn't count, however small the scooter. Riding without one can cost up to Rp1,000,000 at a police check and usually voids your travel insurance.
Key facts
- Valid for tourists: home licence with motorcycle category + IDP with category A, or an Indonesian SIM C.
- The IDP must be issued in your home country before you travel.
- Fines (Law 22/2009): up to Rp1,000,000 without a licence, Rp250,000 for not carrying it or for no helmet.
- Living in Bali on a KITAS: you're expected to get an Indonesian SIM C.
What counts as a valid licence
- Your home driving licence with motorcycle (category A) on it, together with an International Driving Permit that also shows the motorcycle category.
- Or an Indonesian SIM C, the motorcycle licence. SIM C covers scooters up to 250 cc, which includes all of ours.
A car-only licence, or an IDP without the motorcycle category, doesn't cover a scooter, however small the scooter is.
Get your IDP before you fly
An International Driving Permit is issued by your home country, usually by the motoring association, and only alongside your home licence. You can't get one in Bali, and Indonesia's own "SIM Internasional" is for Indonesians driving abroad, not for visitors.
Police checks and fines
Police in Bali regularly check riders around tourist areas and ask for the licence and the scooter's papers (STNK). Copies of the papers are under the seat of every alrity scooter. The maximum fines under Indonesia's traffic law:
| Offence | Law 22/2009 | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Riding without a licence that covers motorcycles | Article 281 | Rp1,000,000 or up to 4 months' detention |
| Not carrying the licence you have | Article 288(2) | Rp250,000 or up to 1 month |
| No SNI-approved helmet, rider or passenger | Article 291 | Rp250,000 or up to 1 month |
Why it matters for insurance
Most travel insurance policies don't pay for accidents when you weren't licensed to ride. Our scooters aren't insured either, so check your own policy before you ride, and read our guide on whether it's safe to ride a scooter in Bali.
Staying long term
If you live in Bali on a KITAS or KITAP, you're expected to get an Indonesian SIM, which involves a medical check, a test and fingerprints at the police licensing office. Tourists on a visit visa use the IDP route above.
Questions people ask
Can I ride a scooter in Bali with a car licence?
No. A scooter needs a licence that covers motorcycles: a home licence with the motorcycle category plus an IDP that shows it, or an Indonesian SIM C.
Can I get an International Driving Permit in Bali?
No. An IDP is issued by your home country, together with your home licence, before you travel.
How much is the fine for riding without a licence in Bali?
Up to Rp1,000,000 or up to four months' detention under Article 281 of Indonesia's traffic law. Not carrying the licence you have can cost up to Rp250,000.
Alrighty, let's ride.
Book a scooterSources
- Traffic fines under Law 22/2009 (Indonesian), detikOto
- SIM Internasional, the Indonesian version of an IDP, Bali.com
- Driving licence (SIM) for expats in Bali, Bali Expat Legal Services
Facts checked 1 Nov 2026. Laws and prices change: tell us on WhatsApp if something here is out of date.