Driving in Indonesia as a United States National

Indonesia drives on the left with chaotic traffic, especially in Java and Bali. An IDP is required. Most tourists rent scooters in Bali, but car rentals with a driver are recommended for longer trips.

Key Things to Know First

IDP Required

Indonesia requires an International Driving Permit for foreign visitors. Obtain one in United States before departure.

How to get an IDP

Drive on the Left — You Are Switching Sides

United States drives on the right, but Indonesia drives on the left. Extra caution required at roundabouts, intersections, and after exits.

Tips for switching sides

Speed Signs Use km/h

United States uses mph, but Indonesia uses km/h. Verify your GPS or navigation app is set to the correct unit.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Rule	United States	Indonesia	Change?
Traffic side	Right-hand traffic	Left-hand traffic	Yes
Speed unit	mph	km/h	Yes
IDP required	—	Yes	Yes
Min. driving age	16	17	Differs
Emergency number	911	112	Different
Road difficulty	Easy	Challenging	—

Speed Limits in Indonesia

Urban

30–50 km/h

Rural / Open road

60–80 km/h

Highway / Motorway

80–100 km/h

Speed limits in Indonesia are posted in km/h (kilometres per hour). Quick reference: 50 km/h ≈ 31 mph · 100 km/h ≈ 62 mph · 130 km/h ≈ 81 mph.

Documents to Carry in Indonesia

Original driving licence from United States — must be valid and unexpired
International Driving Permit (IDP) — required in Indonesia. Obtain from your national motoring association before travelling.
Passport or national ID — carry at all times while driving
Car insurance certificate — verify it covers Indonesia before departure
Vehicle registration / rental agreement

Emergency Number in Indonesia

112

112 is the pan-European emergency number, widely accepted across many countries worldwide.

Emergency numbers for all countries

Full Indonesia Driving Guide

Road rules, toll system, fuel types, parking, regional quirks — everything you need for driving in Indonesia.

Read the complete guide