How to Get an International Driving Permit for Bali

If you’re planning to explore Bali on two wheels, you’ve probably already looked into renting a scooter in Bali. It’s hands-down the most popular (and chaotic) way to get around, whether you’re cruising the beach roads in Canggu or weaving through monkey crossings in Ubud.

But before you start shopping for scooters in Bali to rent — there’s one thing most tourists overlook: the International Driving Permit for Bali (IDP).

It’s not optional. It’s not a “maybe.” It’s a legal requirement, and skipping it could cost you way more than the scooter rental.

I’ll walk you through exactly what an IDP is, why you need one, how to get it online in 10 minutes, and how to avoid fines (or worse) while riding around Bali.

Do You Need an International Driving Permit for Bali?

Short answer? Yes — unless you’re cool with getting fined, scammed, or having your travel insurance ghost you.

Look, I get it. You’re arriving at Bali airport with a backpack full of sunscreen and dreams of scooter rides through the rice fields. But if you’re planning on driving anything — a car, scooter, or even one of those clunky tourist buggies — you’ll need an International Driving Permit for Bali.

It’s not just some bureaucratic nonsense. It’s literally the difference between a smooth trip and a roadside “chat” with a police officer who suddenly speaks very little English until you fork over a few hundred thousand rupiah.

An International Driving Permit for Bali isn’t expensive, it’s easy to get online, and it keeps your Bali trip from turning into a paperwork nightmare. If you’re from the Australia, U.S., UK, Canada — basically anywhere that signed the 1949 or 1968 Geneva Convention — you’re eligible.

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No International Driving Permit for Bali? Here’s the Risk

Let’s be real — thousands of tourists ride scooters around Bali without an International Driving Permit, and 90% of them think Bali laws don’t apply to them.

Here’s how it usually goes: you’re cruising through Canggu in your Bintang singlet, wind in your hair, when a friendly-looking police officer waves you over. You smile. He doesn’t. He asks if you have an International Driving Permit for Bali. You don’t have one. Suddenly, you’re negotiating a “fine” on the side of the road while sweating bullets and pretending your international debit card isn’t in your pocket.

Best-case scenario? You pay a “tourist tax” (aka bribe) of a few hundred thousand rupiah and carry on. Worst-case? Your travel insurance refuses to pay out in case of an accident, and your dream Bali holiday gets a stain you won’t scrub off easily.

And if you do get into a crash? No IDP = you’re driving illegally = no coverage. Bottom line: don’t roll the dice on this one. Get your paperwork sorted before you land.

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How to get an International Driving License in Bali?

Getting your International Driving Permit for Bali isn’t just easy — it’s ridiculously simply. You don’t need to line up at a government office. You can do it all online.

Here’s what you need:

• A valid driver’s license from your home country (duh)
• A passport-style photo
• A few bucks
• Five minutes of your time

👉 Apply for your International Driving Permit for Bali below – it’s fast, 100% legit, and they even send you a digital version while the physical one’s in the mail.

Step 1: Driver’s Details

This section asks for your basic info: email, WhatsApp number, name, date of birth, country of birth, and where you’ll be visiting (in this case will be Indonesia). It also asks for where your license was issued (as in country).

Step 2: Uploading Documents

This part requires you to upload 2 things: a passport-style photo to be used on your IDP card, and photos of your current valid drivers license (both front and back). You can easily get these done with your phone.

After you’re done uploading, you’ll need to type out an e-signature and you’ll be on to the payment section.

Step 4: Payment

Payment options include major credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. You can also process your payment through PayPal.

Once approved, you’ll get a PDF copy that’s instantly valid — perfect if you’re booking that scooter rental before touchdown. The physical IDP will arrive by mail, but the digital one is all you need to stay legal, but the printed copy is required in Indonesia

Pro tip: print a copy and keep a digital version on your phone. Because Bali police love to play the “no internet, no doc, big problem” card.

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How much does it cost to get an International driving Permit?

An International Driving Permit for Bali doesn’t cost as much as you think — and way cheaper than paying a fine (or bribing a bored cop on Kerobokan on a hot day).

If you’re applying through the International Drivers Association (IDA) — the one I personally recommend — here are your different options:

Print + Digital Copy

A plastic IDP card will be shipped to your door and your digital copy gets sent to your email within 10-15 minutes.

• $69 USD for a 1-year permit
• $75 USD for a 2-year permit
• $79 USD for a 3-year permit

Digital Only

You will not receive a physical card but receive a digital version in your email.

• $49 USD for a 1-year permit
• $55 USD for a 2-year permit
• $59 USD for a 3-year permit

No hidden fees. No sketchy websites. Just straight-up peace of mind while you’re zipping past rice paddies.

And remember — this tiny bit of paperwork protects your holiday and your wallet. If you get into an accident without it, your insurance company will laugh you off the phone.

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How Long is an International Driving Permit Valid in Bali?

Your International Driving Permit for Bali is valid for up to 1, 2, or 3 years, depending on which option you choose when applying. But here’s the kicker: it’s only valid as long as your home country license is valid too.

So if your regular driver’s license expires in 6 months? Your IDP is only good for 6 months — even if you paid for a 3-year version. It’s basically an extension of your original license, not a magic free pass.

Here’s what most travelers go with:

• 1 year – best for casual tourists and short Bali trips.
• 2–3 years – worth it if you’re planning more international trips down the road

Also, a heads-up: Indonesia technically follows the 1949 Geneva Convention, which means your IDP should match that format. The IDA issues the right one automatically, so you don’t need to stress.

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Which Licenses Are Accepted for Driving in Bali?

To legally drive in Bali, you need two things:

• A valid driver’s license from your home country
• An International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva Convention

If you only show up with your regular license — even if it’s from the U.S., UK, Australia, or Canada — you’re technically not legal. And if the cops stop you? They know that loophole better than you do.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Accepted countries: If your license is from a country that signed the 1949 Convention (most Western countries did), you can apply for an IDP and legally drive in Bali.
• Not accepted: If your license is from a country that didn’t sign the agreement or you’re driving without an IDP, you’re out of luck — and probably a few hundred thousand rupiah too.

Also worth knowing:
Your International Driving Permit for Bali must match the class of vehicle you’re renting. Want to ride a scooter? Your home license must already include motorcycle or scooter privileges. No shortcuts.

So if you’re thinking, “But the rental guy didn’t even check my license!” — congrats, you’ve just met the Bali rental scene. They’re there to rent, not to babysit your legal coverage.

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Can You Rent a Scooter or Car in Bali Without an IDP?

Technically? Yes.
Legally? No.
Should you? Also no — unless you’re cool with playing Bali Traffic Roulette.

Here’s the truth: most scooter rental shops in Bali are chill — sometimes too chill. Most won’t ask for an International Driving Permit for Bali. Some won’t even glance at your license. You could probably show them a library card and still ride off with a Honda Vario.

But the issue isn’t the rental shop — it’s the police and your travel insurance.

If you get pulled over (which happens a lot more than you think), the officer will ask for:

• Your home country license
• Your International Driving Permit for Bali

No IDP? Prepare for a “fine” that may or may not come with a receipt — and if you’re unlucky, a scooter impound and a half-day of paperwork pain.

Worse still — if you crash and end up in the hospital (or hurt someone else), your travel insurance can fully deny your claim because you were technically driving illegally. That’s not a Bali scam — that’s in the fine print of nearly every policy.

So yes, you can rent a scooter or car without an IDP. But if you want to drive without the anxiety, do the grown-up thing:

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How to Avoid Fines or Scams While Riding in Bali

Let’s face it — Bali traffic is a jungle, and I’m not just talking about the roads. If you don’t know how the game works, it’s easy to get caught up in the classic tourist traps: random police stops, mystery fines, and that moment where you’re suddenly “missing a document” unless you pay in cash.

Here’s how to stay ahead of the game:

✅ Always Carry These:

• Your home country driver’s license
• Your International Driving Permit for Bali
• A photocopy of your passport (some police in Bali love asking for it)

Keep them together in a dry bag or phone pouch, especially if you’re riding a scooter through rainy Ubud or beachy Canggu. See my Bali Packing List for a full guide on what to pack.

🚫 Don’t Do This:

• Don’t admit to “just renting” the scooter with no license
• Don’t offer to bribe first (yes, they might be fishing, but let them bring it up)
• Don’t lose your cool — stay calm, polite, and pretend you’ve done this a hundred times

🚦 Bonus Tips:

• Wear a helmet — both for safety and because it’s the first thing cops look for when profiling tourists
• Don’t drive shirtless or barefoot — it screams “clueless foreigner”
• Avoid major intersections near Denpasar or Kuta around lunchtime… that’s when the surprise roadblocks tend to appear

And above all: don’t give them a reason to pull you over in the first place. Driving with an International Driving Permit is the easiest way to avoid drama, save money, and not spend half your trip searching “how to say bribe” on Google Translate

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If you’re traveling with your family or group of friends, renting an entire fleet of scooters isn’t a viable option. You’re better off booking a private car and driver to save you the hassle. It’s easy, affordable, and you’ll have the freedom to explore Bali in the comfort of your own, air-conditioned ride.

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FAQs about International Driving Permit for Bali

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