Foreigners living in Indonesia can obtain an Indonesian driving licence, the SIM (Surat Izin Mengemudi), from a police licensing office (Satpas). Applicants need a passport and stay permit (KITAS or KITAP), a work permit if employed, health and psychological certificates, and must pass the theory and practical tests. A new SIM is valid for five years.
Who needs an Indonesian SIM?
Anyone driving a motor vehicle on Indonesian roads must hold a SIM for that type of vehicle, and expatriates who live in Indonesia are expected to get a local one.
The rules are set by National Police Regulation (Perpol) 5 of 2021 on the issuance of driving licences, administered by the Traffic Police Corps (Korlantas Polri). Residents on a KITAS or KITAP should apply for a local SIM.
Which SIM class do you need?
Most expatriates need SIM A for a private car or SIM C for a motorcycle. Other classes cover heavy, public-transport and adapted vehicles.
| SIM class | Vehicle | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| SIM A | Private cars and goods vehicles up to 3,500 kg | 17 |
| SIM C | Motorcycles up to 250 cc | 17 |
| SIM CI | Motorcycles from 250 cc to 500 cc | 18 |
| SIM CII | Motorcycles above 500 cc | 19 |
| SIM A Umum | Public passenger and goods vehicles up to 3,500 kg | 20 |
| SIM BI | Private buses and goods vehicles above 3,500 kg | 20 |
| SIM BII | Heavy equipment, tractor units and vehicles towing trailers above 1,000 kg | 21 |
| SIM D / DI | Adapted vehicles for drivers with disabilities | 17 |
Higher classes build on lower ones: SIM BI, for example, requires holding SIM A or SIM A Umum for at least 12 months.
What documents do foreigners need?
Foreign applicants need their immigration documents, a work permit if employed, and health and psychological certificates, in addition to the standard application form.
- Immigration documents. Under Perpol 5 of 2021 this means a passport plus a permanent stay permit (KITAP) for permanent residents, or a passport plus a service visa or temporary stay permit (KITAS) for foreign experts and students. Diplomatic staff use their diplomatic visa and identity card.
- Work permit. Foreigners working in Indonesia must attach a copy of their work authorisation from the Ministry of Manpower.
- Health certificate. A doctor's certificate covering eyesight, hearing and physical fitness, valid for 14 days from issue.
- Psychological test certificate. Issued by a police psychologist or an approved external psychologist, valid for six months.
- Health insurance. According to Korlantas guidance, applicants are now expected to show active national health insurance (JKN / BPJS Kesehatan) membership. Employers should confirm that expatriate staff are enrolled; our comparison of BPJS and private insurance explains how the schemes fit together.
The regulation also provides for an accredited driving-school certificate; check whether your Satpas currently asks for one.
How does the application process work?
The process runs at a Satpas: registration, biometrics, a theory test, a skills test and a practical test, then printing of the card if you pass.
- Go to the right Satpas. Offices sit at regional and district police headquarters; in Jakarta, one of the main ones is Satpas Daan Mogot.
- Register and pay. Submit the documents, then pay the official non-tax state revenue (PNBP) fee at the bank counter.
- Biometrics. Fingerprints, photograph and signature are recorded.
- Theory test. A computer-based test on traffic rules and safety. The briefing material is available in English for foreign nationals. The pass mark is 70, and failed candidates may retake it up to twice within 14 working days.
- Skills and practical tests. A simulator test where available, then a practical test on a course or a designated road, such as slaloms, U-turns and braking.
- Card issue. Successful applicants collect the printed SIM.
Official PNBP fees published by Korlantas under Government Regulation 76 of 2020 are below; health and psychological tests cost extra.
| Service | SIM A | SIM C |
|---|---|---|
| New licence | IDR 120,000 | IDR 100,000 |
| Renewal | IDR 80,000 | IDR 75,000 |
Pay only the official fee at the official counters, and decline any offer of a licence without sitting the tests.
Can you use an international driving permit instead?
Only as a visitor: a permit issued abroad is valid under the UN road traffic convention or other international agreements, while resident expatriates should hold an Indonesian SIM.
Conversely, an international SIM issued by Korlantas is valid only abroad, lasts three years, requires an Indonesian SIM and, for foreigners, a KITAP.
Moving staff to Indonesia
A driving licence is usually one of the last steps in relocating an employee, after the sponsoring company, the work authorisation and the KITAS. For a new Indonesian entity, our note on the company registration number in Indonesia explains the identifiers the sponsor will need, and foreign companies in Indonesia covers the entity options. JCSS Indonesia helps foreign investors with PT PMA set-up and expatriate onboarding.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners get a driving licence in Indonesia?
Yes. Foreigners who live in Indonesia can apply for a SIM at a police licensing office (Satpas) with a passport and KITAP, or a passport and KITAS or service visa for foreign experts and students. Working foreigners also attach their work permit. Applicants need health and psychological certificates and must pass the theory and practical tests.
Which licence do I need for a car or a motorbike?
For a private car up to 3,500 kg you need SIM A. For a motorcycle up to 250 cc you need SIM C, with SIM CI for 250 to 500 cc and SIM CII above 500 cc. The minimum age is 17 for SIM A and SIM C, 18 for SIM CI and 19 for SIM CII. Heavier and commercial vehicles need other classes.
How much does an Indonesian driving licence cost?
The official non-tax state revenue fee published by Korlantas is IDR 120,000 for a new SIM A and IDR 100,000 for a new SIM C. Renewal costs IDR 80,000 for SIM A and IDR 75,000 for SIM C. Health and psychological tests are paid separately. Pay only at official bank counters and avoid brokers offering licences without the tests.
Is my international driving permit valid in Indonesia?
For visitors, an international driving permit issued in another country is recognised in Indonesia under the UN road traffic convention or other international agreements, and you should carry your home licence with it. If you live in Indonesia on a KITAS or KITAP, apply for an Indonesian SIM. An international SIM issued in Indonesia works only outside the country.
How long is an Indonesian SIM valid?
A SIM A or SIM C is valid for five years from issue. Korlantas states that renewal can start up to 90 days before expiry; once expired, even by one day, you must apply for a new SIM and resit the tests. The online renewal app is built around Indonesian identity cards, so foreign holders should plan to renew in person with a current stay permit.
General information only, not legal or tax advice for your specific facts. Regulations change; confirm the current position with JCSS Indonesia before acting.