Before you book a motorbike in Bali, check your motorcycle license and IDP. Rental booking does not give you permission to ride. Your license must cover the motorcycle you choose and you must have the documents recognized by Indonesia for that license.
This guide outlines the paperwork for visitors from the UK, US, and Australia, what to carry on the bike, and the insurance questions to address before paying for a rental. The requirements and fees below were checked on 12 October 2026.
What license do I need to ride in Bali?
For UK, US, and Australian visitors covered here, ensure you have the following ready:
- Valid home motorcycle license, in the appropriate vehicle category.
- A valid International Driving Permit (IDP) with that category of motorcycle.
Take both originals with you when you ride. The IDP is a translation of your driver's license. It cannot add a motorcycle category you haven't earned. A car-only license and a car-only IDP do not cover the motorcycles and scooters described here.
Check the rules for the country that issued your license. Both the UK travel advice and the Australian travel advice state that visitors should carry the appropriate license for their vehicle. If your license was issued elsewhere, use your own licensing authority's guidance.
What does an International Driving Permit do?
An IDP allows officials to read the driving categories listed on your home license. Permit formats and expiry dates vary. Check the destination and expiry date printed on the permit you are issued.
| Check | What it means for this trip |
|---|---|
| UK permit type | GOV.UK lists the 1968 IDP for Indonesia. |
| UK permit validity | A 1968 IDP lasts up to 3 years, or until the UK license expires, whichever comes first. |
| US permit validity | AAA's IDP lasts 1 year and must be carried with a valid US license. |
| Australian permit validity | 12 months, while the Australian license also remains valid. |
| Motorcycle category | Must match the motorcycle entitlement on your home license. |
Use the destination check of the issuer when you apply. There is no common permit format or one-year validity rule for all three countries.
Obtaining your IDP
If possible, arrange it before you travel. If you're overseas already, check your home country's authorized issuer: US and Australian providers offer overseas delivery. Applying isn't having the documents in hand, so wait until they arrive before you ride.
United States: AAA
AAA’s application guidance lists the following options for holders of a valid US license:
- Bring the completed application, your valid license, two passport photos and the $20 permit fee to a participating branch. Make sure the branch has IDPs before you go.
- By mail: Send the signed application, two signed passport photos, copies of the front and back of your license, and the $20 fee. Check the branch’s payment instructions and allow for postage.
- Online: $20 permit fee plus a $10 digital-photo fee and shipping costs. AAA will process the application in approximately 5 business days, plus the time for delivery.
The permit is printed and posted. AAA does not provide a digital IDP. Overseas applicants can use its online application as well. Before you use the permit, check that your motorcycle category is correctly reflected.
United Kingdom: PayPoint
- Apply in person at a participating PayPoint store. The fee is £5.50.
- Bring your full UK driving licence and a recent passport-standard photo. If you have an older paper licence, bring your original valid passport as well.
- Check the GOV.UK destination table: it currently lists a 1968-convention IDP for Indonesia.
The official application page explains the documents and permit validity. Check that the permit is valid for the destination and for motorbikes.
Australia: AAA and authorized motoring clubs
The Australian Automobile Association charges an IDP fee of A$55, plus postage. Apply through AAA or an authorized member club, such as RACV, RACQ or NRMA.
RACV has applications online and in store. It says approved online permits are sent within 3 business days; delivery takes additional time. Same-day issuance of store permits is available. You will need to bring your current physical Australian license and a suitable photo. Overseas delivery is available.
Avoid unauthorized permit sellers
Start with the issuer selected by your home country’s licensing authority or motoring organization. Ensure the seller is authorized and the permit includes Indonesia and your motorcycle category. Just because a website calls its document an “international driver license” does not make it valid.
Can a tourist get an Indonesian license instead?
Don’t plan a short holiday on getting a local license after you arrive. The foreign-applicant documents in Perpol No. 2 of 2023, Article 9 cover permanent residents, specified diplomatic applicants, and specified service-visa or temporary-residence applicants. There is no reference there to a standard tourist visit permit.
Residents who qualify can apply at the police licensing office or Satpas. Residency alone does not replace the other application requirements or the right motorcycle category. GOV.UK’s resident guidance directs temporary and permanent stay-permit holders to the Indonesian police for the current process.
| Your situation | Practical next step |
|---|---|
| Short holiday, including a visa on arrival | Bring your home motorcycle license and a valid IDP before you ride. |
| KITAS or KITAP holder | Ask Satpas which local license and motorcycle category you’ll need. |
| No motorcycle entitlement at home | Get properly licensed before riding, or hire transport with a driver. |
Forget old mentions of a 30-day tourist license. That’s not a current or reliable option.
Police checkpoints: what to carry
Bring your home license, IDP and registration of the bike (STNK). Ask the rental shop where they keep the STNK before you leave. You and your passenger must wear SNI-standard helmets.
If the police stop you, stay calm and ask what offence they are stopping you for. Retain the ticket or case number and any proof of payment. An officer might wave another rider through, but you still need your paperwork.
Traffic fines
Here are the highest fines for each offense—they’re not what everyone has to pay for every stop. These amounts come from updates in Law No. 1 of 2026, Annex I.
| Offence | Maximum fine | Illustrative USD equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Driving without the required license | IDR 1,000,000 | About $63 |
| Riding without an SNI helmet | IDR 250,000 | About $16 |
| Unable to show the required STNK | IDR 500,000 | About $32 |
| Carrying a passenger without an SNI helmet | IDR 250,000 | About $16 |
| Ignoring a red traffic signal | IDR 500,000 | About $32 |
These dollar amounts use IDR 16,000 to US$1 and round up. The actual legal fine is in rupiah. Carrying a valid license but forgetting it at home is a different offense from having no license at all.
Paying a ticket
Follow the instructions on your actual ticket. The official E-Tilang website has case info and payment steps. Keep the proof you paid, and check where to pick up any documents held by police. If there’s a mismatch between your ticket and the record, contact the named office.
Bali's rules for visiting riders
Bali government Circular No. 7 of 2025 says travelers must possess a valid license, wear a helmet, obey traffic signs, follow passenger capacity limits, and avoid riding after consuming alcohol or drugs.
Violations are subject to Indonesian law. The announcement does not say that every minor traffic ticket automatically leads to deportation. A rental shop agreeing to hand over a bike does not confirm that your documents meet these rules.
Check your motorcycle insurance before booking
Tell your insurer you plan to ride a rental bike in Bali, including the bike’s engine size. Make sure they explain exactly what your policy covers when you ride and when you are a passenger, and tell you which licence rules apply. Get a clear yes or no before you pay for the bike.
- Find out if medical care and emergency evacuation are included.
- Check if damage to the rental bike is covered, separate from general travel insurance.
- Ask about liability to others, exclusions, and any excess you’ll have to pay.
Smartraveller’s insurance guide warns of licensing, alcohol and rental restrictions. If your policy does not cover an accident, the resulting bills can be yours. Having an IDP does not mean you are insured or that a claim will be paid.
Speed limits and road rules
Follow posted speed limits. Slow down when weather, traffic or limited visibility make it necessary. PM No. 111 of 2015 sets these maximum speeds. Always follow any lower limits you see on the roads.
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Urban roads | Max 50 km/h |
| Residential roads | Max 30 km/h |
| Intercity roads | Max 80 km/h |
| Motorcycle headlights | Keep them on during the day and night. |
| Helmets | SNI-standard helmets for both you and your passenger. |
| Road side | Drive on the left. |
| Alcohol and drugs | Never ride under the influence. |
Before you collect the bike
- Check your home license—be sure you’re covered for motorcycles.
- Get the right IDP, and allow time for processing and delivery.
- Make sure both documents are valid and bring the originals.
- Confirm that your insurance really covers the riding you’ll do.
- Find the STNK and check for helmets for both rider and passenger.
FAQ
Can I ride a scooter with just a car license?
If you only have a car entitlement—UK, US, or Australia—that’s not enough for the rental scooters in Bali. Double-check your license categories before booking.
What if I do not have a motorcycle license?
Get licensed for motorcycles before you plan to ride. Or just use taxis, a ride-hailing app, or get a car with a driver while you’re here.
Can I use a tourist driving license?
Ignore any old advice about a 30-day tourist license. For a short visit, use your correct home license plus an IDP. Eligible residents should check the local application process with Satpas.
Does a rental shop checking my license settle everything?
No, it’s up to you to meet both Bali’s license rules and your insurer’s demands. A receipt or booking from the shop won’t cover you.
What if I forgot to obtain an IDP?
Contact your authorized provider at home. US and Australian issuers allow overseas applications, but you’ll need to wait for it to arrive. In the meantime, use another way to get around.
Get your license, permit, and insurance sorted first. Then pick a bike that matches your riding experience and your license.