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Car hire in Indonesia
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Driving in Indonesia on an Australian licence
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
Yes - Australians need an International Driving Permit for Indonesia.
Indonesia accepts the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP issued in Australia. To legally ride a scooter you also need a motorcycle class on your Australian licence - an IDP alone is not enough, and police roadblocks in Bali check for it.
Drives on the leftSame as Australia
Minimum age 17For most hire companies
$8-$15 scooter, $35-$60 carTypical daily hire
IDP required1949 Geneva Convention
Is hiring a car in Indonesia worth it?
Hiring a car with a driver costs little more than the car alone.
Typical daily hire runs $8-$15 scooter, $35-$60 car.
Where to hire a car in Indonesia
Prices are indicative, shown in AUD and refreshed from provider APIs where available. Always confirm the final price on the provider's site - it is the price that applies. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes what you pay. A row labelled "Featured partner" holds a paid position at the top of the table. Partners are listed before providers who pay us nothing, as our terms set out; sorting by price ignores all of that and orders on the number alone. How we make money.
What Australian drivers need to know in Indonesia
- Scooter accidents are the leading cause of serious injury for Australians in Bali.
- If your licence doesn't cover motorcycles, your travel insurance almost certainly won't cover a scooter crash.
- Helmets are compulsory and enforced.
- Private driver hire is cheap - roughly AUD $60-$80 for a full day - and far safer than driving yourself.
Driving without the permit here means driving uninsured. Australian policies exclude claims from driving without a valid licence for that vehicle in that country, and in Indonesia the International Driving Permit is part of being validly licensed. A car licence does not cover a scooter - riding one needs a motorcycle class on your Australian licence as well as the permit, and scooter accidents are the most expensive claims Australians make in this region.
You can only get an International Driving Permit in Australia, before you fly - the state motoring clubs issue them for about $49 and it takes a fortnight to be safe. How to get one, and where it works.
More Indonesia essentials
Indonesia visa and entry rules
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Flights to Indonesia
Search fares from Australia, then sort the rest of the trip.
Indonesia eSIM plans
Instant data, no physical SIM required.
Indonesia travel insurance
Medical, cancellation and luggage cover for Australian travellers.
Indonesia money and cards
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers.
Indonesia airport transfers
Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared.
Indonesia travel essentials
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Things to do in Indonesia
Attractions, tours and passes worth booking ahead.
Further reading: International Driving Permit: which countries Australians need one for
How these comparisons are made
Licence and permit rules come from the destination's road authority and the Australian motoring clubs that issue International Driving Permits, and each page states whether an IDP is legally required, required in practice by hire companies, or genuinely not needed - three different situations most sites blur into one. Read the full editorial policy.
Indonesia driving FAQs
Can I ride a scooter in Bali on my Australian licence?
Only if your Australian licence includes a motorcycle class and you carry a 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit obtained in Australia. Without both, you're riding illegally and your travel insurance won't cover a crash - the most common cause of large uninsured medical bills for Australians in Bali.
Planning Indonesia?
We will send you the Indonesia guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.