Indonesia on a UK Licence: IDP Needed, Keep Left Like Home
United Kingdom
Indonesia
Not on a UK licence alone: GOV.UK says you cannot drive in Indonesia on it, but you can drive on an IDP issued in the UK. Traffic keeps left as in Britain, so there is no side switch.
British visitors usually ask this about Bali, but the rule is national, and the official wording is stricter than most hire shops let on. GOV.UK says: you cannot drive using your UK driving licence. You can drive using an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by the UK. In other words, the permit is the thing that makes you legal, and the licence alone does not.
The IDP, step by step
Arrange the permit in the UK before you travel, because nothing in our sources shows it can be issued on arrival. Carry it with your licence and passport. GOV.UK also tells visitors to make sure they hold the appropriate licence for the vehicle, before driving, riding or hiring any type of vehicle, and to check that travel insurance covers them. That second sentence is the one that matters for scooters: an IDP that does not list the motorcycle class can leave a rider both unlicensed and uninsured. UK nationals who live in Indonesia with a limited stay permit card (KITAS) can apply for an Indonesian national licence, but that route is for residents, not visitors. Our record carries a three-month figure for visitors; treat it as a ceiling, not a promise.
No side switch, plenty of scooters
Indonesia drives on the left, like the UK. Roundabouts, overtaking and junction habits carry over. What does not carry over is density. GOV.UK says traffic discipline is very poor and that there has been a large increase in moped and motorbike accidents, some fatal, in Bali. If you ride, wear a helmet in good condition.
Limits, in mph
| Road | Limit | In mph |
|---|---|---|
| Towns | 50 km/h | 31 |
| Rural roads | 80 km/h | 50 |
| Toll motorways | 100 km/h | 62 |
The motorway ceiling is well under Britain’s 70 mph (112 km/h). Ease off.
Alcohol: nothing to quote, so drink nothing
Searches for this page often ask whether you can drink and drive in Bali. We hold no official figure for Indonesia, and the FCDO text does not give one, so we do not repeat the zero-limit claim that earlier versions of this page carried. Britain’s own limit is 0.08 in England and Wales, which is irrelevant here. The safe rule is none.
If something goes wrong
GOV.UK warns that foreign nationals involved in even minor traffic violations or accidents may be vulnerable to extortion. If you are in an accident you must wait for the police at the scene. If you fear for your safety, move to another location, and make sure someone stays to watch your vehicle if it will not drive. Report the accident at a police station and cooperate fully. Some multinational companies do not allow expatriate staff to drive in Indonesia at all, and GOV.UK suggests considering a private driver or a car with a driver.
Choosing a vehicle sensibly
For many UK visitors the real question is a scooter or a car. The two need different licence classes, and the guidance quoted above applies to each separately. A car with a driver removes the licence, the insurance and the extortion risk in one step, and GOV.UK itself raises the idea. If you do hire a scooter, read the policy for exclusions that mention unlicensed riders, photograph the bike before you leave the shop, and keep your IDP and passport copies somewhere other than the bike. Ask the hire shop in writing what happens after a minor collision.
Kit and numbers
A warning triangle, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher are required in Indonesia, where the UK only recommends them. Our record lists 112 for general emergencies, with 110 for police, 118 for an ambulance and 113 for the fire service. At home you dial 999.
Read the country detail on our Indonesia driving guide, confirm the IDP requirement with the Driving Permit Checker, and see how penalties are handled abroad in who pays driving fines abroad.
Sources
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Indonesia, safety and security (UK licence cannot be used; UK-issued IDP can; KITAS; traffic discipline; Bali moped accidents; extortion risk; accident procedure; private driver): gov.uk
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
Your home country driving rules for reference
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not on the licence by itself. GOV.UK says you cannot drive using your UK driving licence, but you can drive using an International Driving Permit issued by the UK. You cannot buy one outside the UK, so get it before you fly, and check that your travel insurer covers you for the vehicle you plan to use.
Indonesia drives on the left, the same as the UK, so British drivers do not face a side switch. The harder adjustment is the volume of motorcycles weaving through traffic.
No, and you should not rely on any permitted amount. We hold no official blood-alcohol figure for Indonesia, and GOV.UK describes poor traffic discipline and a rise in moped and motorbike accidents in Bali, so the only safe rule is nothing to drink before driving or riding.
Yes. GOV.UK states that the IDP issued by the UK is the document that lets you drive. Make sure it covers the vehicle class you will use, since GOV.UK tells visitors to check they hold the appropriate licence before driving, riding or hiring any type of vehicle.