Do you need an international licence to ride a scooter in Bali?
Yes. Indonesia's traffic law, Law No. 22 of 2009, says in Article 77(1) that everyone driving a motor vehicle on the road must hold a driving licence matching the type of vehicle being driven. Article 80 separates the classes: licence C is for motorcycles and licence A for passenger cars. So what matters is not only having a licence but having one for a motorbike.
For visitors, three governments give the same practical answer. The Australian government says you need an Indonesian licence or an IDP and that your permit must be right for the vehicle, including motorbikes and mopeds. The UK government says a UK licence alone cannot be used but a UK-issued IDP can. The US State Department says a US licence alone is not recognised and foreign drivers must carry an IDP.
Bali's own rules say the same. The Governor's Circular No. 7 of 2025 on foreign tourists requires a valid international or national driving licence, orderly riding with a helmet, and no passengers beyond capacity. The province's 2023 do's and don'ts, in force from 8 June 2023, already told visitors to rent vehicles only with a licence.
What the IDP conventions say about Indonesia
The UN record of the 1949 Geneva Convention does not list Indonesia as a participant. The 1968 Vienna Convention record shows Indonesia signed on 8 November 1968 with no ratification recorded. In practice, the foreign-ministry advice above reflects what police at checkpoints and rental firms ask for: your home licence plus an IDP. Which IDP your country issues is explained in our 1949 and 1968 IDP guide.
What decides whether your scooter ride is legal and insured
Four things combine: the law (licence class), the police (fines at a check), the province's circular (conduct rules for tourists) and your travel insurer (claims). This table puts them together for the situations visitors are most often in.
| What you carry | Legal to ride a scooter? | At a police check | Insurance after a crash |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home motorcycle licence + IDP showing motorcycle category | Yes | Show both; helmet on | Claim assessed normally, subject to your policy |
| Home car licence + IDP (car category only) | No, wrong class under Art. 77 | Treated as no valid licence, up to Rp1,000,000 | Likely refused; Australia warns insurers deny claims without the right cover |
| Home motorcycle licence, no IDP | No, per the UK and US governments | Fine likely; up to Rp1,000,000 if treated as unlicensed | At risk; check your policy wording |
| Valid licence + IDP, left in the villa | Licensed but not carrying it | Up to Rp250,000 under Art. 288(2) | Not affected by the fine itself |
The fine figures are the legal maximums listed by an Indonesian district court's ticket fine table. A judge sets the actual amount, which can be lower.
What are the traffic fines in Bali?
Traffic offences in Bali fall under the national law, not a separate Bali code. These are the maximum fines under UU 22/2009 as listed in the district court's fine table:
| Offence | Article | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
| Riding without a licence for that vehicle | 281 | Rp1,000,000 |
| Unable to show your licence | 288(2) | Rp250,000 |
| No vehicle registration paper (STNK) | 288(1) | Rp500,000 |
| Rider without a standard helmet | 291(1) | Rp250,000 |
| Passenger without a helmet | 291(2) | Rp250,000 |
| More than one passenger on a motorcycle | 292 | Rp250,000 |
| Running a red light | 287(2) | Rp500,000 |
| Speeding | 287(5) | Rp500,000 |
| No headlight in daytime | 293(2) | Rp100,000 |
Article 57(2) of the law defines the required helmet as one meeting the Indonesian national standard (SNI), so ask for an SNI-marked helmet for yourself and any passenger when you collect the scooter.
Worked example: a couple on one scooter
Two visitors share a scooter. The rider has a car licence and an IDP; neither wears a helmet on a short ride to the beach. At a check, the theoretical maximum is Rp1,000,000 (no valid licence) + Rp250,000 (rider's helmet) + Rp250,000 (passenger's helmet) = Rp1,500,000. The real cost is larger if there is a crash: with the wrong licence class, the insurer can refuse to pay medical bills. The same trip with a motorcycle-class IDP and two SNI helmets costs nothing extra.
Riding on the left, and what the province expects
Traffic in Indonesia keeps to the left, which matters most at junctions and when turning; our left-hand traffic guide covers the habits to practise. The US State Department notes that in collisions between a car and a motorcycle, police often presume the larger vehicle's driver responsible, while the Australian government warns that a motorbike rider is often assumed to be at fault. Either way, riding defensively and staying out of disputes is the safer choice.
The 2025 circular, as summarised by the provincial government's media centre, also says foreign tourists must use roadworthy four-wheel transport operated by licensed rental businesses or associations. It does not mention scooters, and it is a provincial circular rather than a traffic law, so the licence and helmet rules above are what police enforce on the road. If the circular's wording matters to your plans, ask your rental company how it applies to them. Separately, the provincial tourist levy is an entry payment and has nothing to do with vehicle hire.
Arriving at the airport and not ready to ride yet? Our guide to licensed transport from Ngurah Rai airport covers the alternatives.