Buy Indonesian driving license online: Is it possible and what are the risks?

Okay, so, I was thinking about driving around in Indonesia, you know, just cruising with my own car. But I found out I needed an Indonesian driving license. I’m not a local, so I did a bit of digging.

Turns out, if you’re a foreigner living here with a KITAS or KITAP, you can actually get a local driving license. It’s called a “SIM” – Surat Izin Mengemudi. I started looking into how to get one, figuring it would be a whole bureaucratic nightmare.

Getting the Paperwork Done

First, I gathered all my documents. I made sure I had my passport, my KITAS/KITAP, and, of course, my original driving license from back home. I heard that diplomats and KITAP holders can get a license that lasts for five years, but for regular folks like me with a KITAS, it’s usually just for one year.

• Passport: Had to make sure it was still valid, of course.
• KITAS/KITAP: This is the key. Without it, no Indonesian license for me.
• Original Driving License: You need to show them you can actually drive!

I looked up agencies that help with this sort of thing, like InCorp Indonesia. I thought about going through them to make things smoother, but I decided to try doing it myself first.

Facing the Authorities

Armed with my pile of documents, I headed to the local traffic police department. I’m not gonna lie; I was a bit nervous. Government offices can be intimidating. But I walked in, took a number, and waited my turn. The place was busy, lots of people coming and going, but it wasn’t total chaos.

When my number was called, I went up to the counter and explained what I needed. The officer, surprisingly, was quite helpful. He checked my documents, and everything seemed to be in order. I filled out some forms, paid the fees, and then came the fun part.

Tests and Triumphs

I had to take a written test. It was mostly about traffic rules in Indonesia, and it wasn’t too difficult. I think I got most of it right. Then there was the practical driving test. They made me drive around a designated course, testing my skills. I was a bit shaky at first, but I managed to pass. It wasn’t too different from the driving test back home.

After all that, I had to wait a bit more while they processed everything. And finally, they handed me my brand-new Indonesian driving license! It felt pretty good to have accomplished all that on my own.

So, yeah, that’s how I got my Indonesian driving license. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. If you’re a foreigner living in Indonesia and you’ve got your KITAS or KITAP sorted, don’t be afraid to try getting your SIM. It’s definitely worth it to have the freedom to drive around this beautiful country.