Alright, listen up, you young folks. Wanna drive around here in Indonesia, huh? Well, you gotta get yourself one of them driving license thingamajigs. They call it SIM, somethin’ somethin’. Don’t ask me what it stands for, sounds like gibberish to me. But the police, them fellas, they want to see it, or you’re in a heap of trouble. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.
Now, if you’re just here for a short spell, like a quick visit, your own country’s license might do the trick. But if you’re plannin’ on stickin’ around for more than six months, well, then you gotta get the Indonesian one, no two ways about it. It’s the law, simple as that. And believe me, you don’t wanna mess with the law here.
So, how do you get this SIM thingy? First off, you gotta have your papers in order. You need that KITAS visa thing. Sounds fancy, huh? And you need your own driver’s license from back home, the one you used to drive around in your old beat-up car. And they need some other stuff too, pictures and such. They’ll tell you what all you need, down at the station. Just go there and ask. Don’t be shy.

Some folks say you need an international driver’s license too. I ain’t never seen one of them, but they say it helps. Guess it shows them you ain’t a complete beginner behind the wheel. So, if you got one, bring it along. Can’t hurt, right?
- Paperwork is important, gotta have it all.
- KITAS visa, don’t forget it.
- Your own driver’s license, gotta show ’em you know how to drive.
- Pictures, they want to see your pretty face.
- International driver’s license, if you have one.
Now, gettin’ this SIM ain’t always easy. There’s forms to fill out, and you gotta go to the police station, maybe more than once. And you might have to take a little test, show ‘em you can drive without crashin’ into things. It’s a whole to-do, let me tell ya.
But listen, you wanna drive here, you gotta follow the rules. They take driving serious here. And you don’t wanna be stuck walkin’ everywhere, do ya? Especially in this heat! So, just grin and bear it, get that license, and then you can go wherever you please.
Some folks, they say you can get help getting the license. There are companies, they call ‘em “InCorp” somethin’ or other, that can help you with all the paperwork and stuff. If you got the money and don’t wanna deal with the hassle, maybe that’s the way to go. But me, I always say, do it yourself, save a few pennies. But it’s your money, spend it how you want.
Now, once you got that license, keep it safe! Don’t lose it, or you’ll have to go through the whole rigmarole again. And don’t go breakin’ the traffic laws, either. The police, they’ll take that license away faster than you can say “SIM”. And then where will you be? Back to walkin’, that’s where. So, drive careful, be respectful, and you’ll be just fine.
And remember, this ain’t your grandpappy’s country. Things work different here. So, just go with the flow, do what they tell ya, and you’ll be zippin’ around on your scooter in no time. Or your car, if you’re fancy. But honestly, scooters are easier to park, and way cheaper on gas. Just wear a helmet, that’s what I tell my grandkids all the time. Safety first, always. And, one more thing, this Indonesian Driving License, it ain’t forever. You gotta renew it every now and then. So, don’t forget to check the date on that thing, or you’ll be in trouble all over again.
So, there you have it. Everything you need to know about gettin’ yourself a driver’s license here in Indonesia. It ain’t rocket science, but it ain’t a walk in the park either. Just be patient, do what you gotta do, and you’ll be on the road in no time. And if you see an old lady walkin’ on the side of the road, give her a lift, will ya? It’s hot out here!
Tags: Indonesian Driving License, SIM, KITAS, Driving in Indonesia, Indonesian License Requirements, Driving Regulations Indonesia, How to Get SIM, Indonesia Visa, Driving Permit Indonesia, Renew Indonesian Driving License