Indonesia forum

Hi Andy,

Yes, you are supposed to have an International license for riding, but in practise you'll never be asked for one when you hire a bike.

If the police catch you, expect a small "fine" on the spot -- I've paid 50,000Rp in the past, but I was driving a car with an expired International license, perhaps it will cost less for a bike...

I see tourists getting booked almost every day by the cops at a main intersection near where I live, so don't be surprised if they catch you.

Best advice is to try to avoid looking like a tourist when you're riding around -- ie both wear helmets and shirts (preferably not BeerLao ones ;-)

In Indonesia they're physically two separate licences -- one for the car, one for the bike (I know this 'cause I only got mine on Monday -- amusingly, the cop did the written test for me -- then marked it).

So if you look at your international license, you'll see it is stamped as being one to drive -- not to ride -- at least that's the case with my old Australian one.

The rental agents wouldn't care if you showed them a library card -- they'll rent a bike to anyone. The problem is if you get stopped, and legally, you are supposed to have an international license to ride in order to ride a motorbike legally.

"- remain calm, pleasant and respectful
- have patience - think of it as part of the experience
- don't argue with them - show your remorse (which doesn't have to be admitting guilt)
- and finally... the worst case is, realise you might end up paying anyhow, but at least you tried."

Absolutely agree with all the above, though I wouldn't spend too long haggling with the cop -- I try to keep my exposure to the Indonesian policing system to an absolute minimum!

"the wretched contraption leaps forward like a jet propelled rocket and you can't even break with your feet so I always end up in a ditch."[/}

Oh god - that will be me!! I haven't actually ridden before, but am arranging some 'lessons' before I leave. I wouldn't ride a bike in Bali, but thought maybe in some more remote, quiet areas in Lombok.

Only problem is that I'm scared to do the lessons here beforehand. Last time I planned a big trip away (2 years ago) I broke my ankle on a flying fox the day before I was due to leave!

Thanks for the info Somtam.

He knows and I may well remind him about in person at the pissup! It's probably just a question of some brackets and commas in the script because HE'S got got an edit button! How about you distracting him with fluttering eyelashes while I try out some innovative punctuation on his computer? ;-)

As you work in IT I'd better do the eyelashes then...I was just going to experiment with spaces, semi-colons and brackets and try and get lucky.

I'm not sure how distracting my eyelashes will be though, might have to improvise a veil dance with my sarong or something.

Hi Somtam, I arrive 27 Sep and will be there for up to a week or so before moving on to either Lombok or Flores. I come back through Bali around 15-18 Nov or so, before flying out again.

Should we start planning a proper catch-up - in Sept or Nov (or both!).

(flutter, flutter....)

Sorry, edit. Fast forward to 3.21.

Hey all,

I don't have any idea how it works for other countries, but the U.S. makes it ridiculously easy to get an international drivers license. I believe it's $15 through AAA. you send them a check, copy of your valid drivers license and a few passport photos and they send you an IDL. i even applied for and received mine while i was in south korea. it'll take a few weeks, so do it ahead of time. there are very few countries that do not accept it and it will get you out of the rip-off-the-tourist traffic stops by local police.

http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html

this is the webpage that i used to get my IDL delivered to south korea. it took about 6 weeks.

Good Luck!!!