Local Guide

How to Get a Driver’s License for Expats in Jakarta

Hello FlokqJune 12, 2020

Living in Indonesia as an ex-pat in terms of mobility and transportation nowadays is easier. For some of you, especially those living in big cities like Jakarta, not driving yourself to work is okay. I mean, why not? There’s plenty of public transport and there’s a lot of ride-sharing drivers around. But maybe you’re also the ones that still miss driving on your own. Not having to wait for an online ride-sharing driver or to get up earlier to catch the bus. Then you would need a license for driving on your own. So here’s a quick guide if you guys were wondering how to get a driver’s license here.

Who can get an Indonesian driver’s license:

1. Those who are KITAS or KITAP holders: They are eligible to apply for a driver’s license (SIM) at their region of residence. KITAS holders will get a 1 year-long driver’s license and KITAP holders can get a 5 year-long license. So the type of residence permit that you have is what determines the length of your license’s validity.

2. Those who are temporary visa (tourist visa) holders: Quite surprisingly, for those holding a temporary visa (tourist visa), you can still get a SIM in Indonesia. You can get a SIM that is valid from 1 to 3 months in urban or popular tourist destinations. The ones that are equipped with integrated computer software can then process your request. Regions that have these facilities are Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Makassar, and Manado. But please do check your local police station in case of an update on this list.

Types of applicable SIM

1. A – for private passenger or cargo vehicle that does not exceed the maximum weight of 3.500 kg, like your usual everyday car. (applicants must be at least 17 years old)
2. B1 – for private passenger or cargo vehicle that is allowed to exceed 3.500 kg
3. B2 – for cargo vehicles such as semi-trailers and other large rigs which weighs over 1.000 kg
4. C – for motorcycles (applicants must be at least 17 years old)
5. D – for special vehicles designed to be used by disabled people

Applying for SIM

1. As the authority to issue a SIM rests on Indonesian polices, this means that you will need to visit your nearest local mid-level police station called ‘polres’. You can search for the one in your area by simply searching ‘Polres + (your area’s name)’. (e.g. Polres Tangerang, Polres Jakarta Pusat, Polres Jakarta Selatan)
2. You can do a pre-registration of your SIM application online through http://sim.korlantas.polri.go.id/devregistrasi/. Do note that it is in Indonesian so have another tab open for Google Translate just in case. If your Indonesian is good then it would be better, but having an Indonesian friend with you would be safer.
3. The required documents are:
   • Your passport
   • A photocopy of the passport pages that contain identity information, your visa and entry stamp
   • The original and a copy of your KITAS or KITAP card
   • The original and a copy of any valid driver’s license(s) you already have
   • A medical certificate (surat kesehatan) from a medical check, which usually just tests your eyes and blood pressure. This can be issued by the police for an extra fee (Rp 25.000,00)
   • The originals and copies of the two identity cards required for foreigners (KTP-OA and SKTT)
4. Even for those who have a valid foreign driver’s license, you still would need to complete the theory test. The test is in the form of a series of ‘True or False’ questions. You then would need to score a minimum of 21 out of 30 in the test. Should you pass the test, your Indonesian driver’s license can be issued on the same day. To help you prepare the test, you can practice with the questions available in this link http://www.infosimabc-korlantaspolri.net/2016/08/upadate-materi-ujian-sim-c-2016.html
5. The test will be in Bahasa Indonesia so you will be permitted to bring a translator. Should you fail your attempt for the test, you are permitted to redo it seven days after the test.
6. If you happen to not already have a valid foreign driver’s license, you have to proceed with the practical tests. So after finishing the theory test, you would need to finish the practical tests too.
7. In the practical test, you are allowed to bring your preferred vehicle to make it more comfortable and familiar. Note that if you do not bring your own, the available vehicles are all of the manual transmission.

Read also : A Guide to Get an Indonesian Driver’s License (SIM) for Foreigners

Course contents

1. The practical test for SIM A consists of:
   • Driving the vehicle forward and backward
   • Driving the vehicle in a zig-zag manner forward and backward
   • Backing up the vehicle and parking
   • Parallel parking with the vehicle
   • Driving up and down an incline, engaging and disengaging the handbrake of the vehicle
2. The practical test for SIM B consists of:
   • Riding the vehicle through a set of cones
   • Riding the vehicle in a zig-zag manner
   • Riding the vehicle in a movement resembling the number 8
   • Riding the vehicle through an avoidance and reaction test
   • Riding the vehicle through a U-turn test

Fee list

The fees needed to acquire an Indonesian driver’s license are:

1. SIM A: Rp 120.000,00 for new issues and Rp 80.000,00 for renewals
2. SIM B1: Rp 120.000,00 for new issues and Rp 80.000,00 for renewals
3. SIM B2: Rp 120.000,00 for new issues and Rp 80.000,00 for renewals
4. SIM C: Rp 100.000,00 for new issues and Rp 75.000,00 for renewals
5. The test fee is Rp 50.000,00

There you have it! a short guide for getting your Indonesian driver’s license. Remember that the guide here only explains briefly and only shows some parts of the process. Oh and the process now is significantly better and arguably with more transparency and less bureaucratic convolution. And do read more about these and ask your Indonesian friends for help during the process. This is to make sure that you understand the process fully and not waste too much time on it. But anyway, if you’ve managed to get your driver’s license, congratulations, and drive safe! We hope that this guide helps!