If you plan to drive in Bali, an Australian driver’s licence on its own is not the document to rely on. The Australian Government’s Smartraveller advice says Australians need an Indonesian licence or an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to their Australian driver’s licence when driving in Indonesia. Your permit and licence also need to cover the type of vehicle you are driving, including motorcycles and mopeds.
For Australians planning to rent a car or scooter in Bali, the practical checklist is therefore broader than simply obtaining an international drivers licence. You should check the correct IDP, your Australian vehicle class, the rental company’s requirements, your travel insurance and the current Indonesian rules before you travel.
Information checked: 21 September 2026. Driving and insurance requirements can change, so confirm the latest requirements with official authorities and your insurer before departure.
If you already know that you do not want to drive yourself, you can also hire a car with a driver in Bali, which avoids the need to organise your own driving documents and lets you focus on the itinerary instead.
International Driving Permit vs Australian Driver’s Licence
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a replacement for your Australian driver’s licence. It is an accompanying document that helps establish your driving entitlement when travelling overseas.
For Australians driving in Indonesia, Smartraveller specifically advises carrying an IDP together with your Australian driver’s licence.
This distinction matters because travellers sometimes search for an “international driver’s licence” as though it were a separate licence that gives them a new driving entitlement.
It does not work that way.
Think of the documents as a set:
- Your valid Australian driver’s licence — establishes your underlying Australian driving entitlement.
- Your IDP — provides the international permit associated with that licence.
- Your passport or other travel identification — may also be needed for identification when dealing with a rental company or authorities.
- Any insurance documentation — confirms the conditions under which you are covered.
Australian state and territory authorities or authorised motoring organisations have their own processes for issuing IDPs. For example, current NSW guidance says an IDP is valid for 12 months and advises drivers to carry both the IDP and Australian licence when driving overseas.
If you live outside NSW, check the current issuing process in your own state or territory rather than assuming the NSW process applies to you.
Do Australians need an IDP for Bali?
For practical planning, yes: Australians intending to drive in Bali should arrange an IDP before departure and carry it with their Australian licence.
Smartraveller’s current Indonesia advice explicitly states that an Australian licence must be accompanied by an IDP or an Indonesian licence. It also warns that insurance claims can be affected if you are unlicensed or do not have the correct licence type.
Do not treat an IDP as a substitute for having the correct Australian licence class.
Check the Vehicle Class Before You Rent
Having an IDP does not automatically mean you can legally drive every type of vehicle.
The underlying Australian licence needs to cover the vehicle you intend to drive, and the permit needs to correspond to that entitlement. Australian government guidance also recommends checking that your IDP allows you to drive or ride the vehicles you intend to use.
This becomes particularly important in Bali because car driving and scooter riding are different licence questions.
Cars
If you plan to rent a conventional passenger car, check that your Australian licence permits you to drive the relevant class of vehicle.
Then check:
- Your Australian licence is current.
- Your IDP is current.
- The IDP category corresponds with the vehicle.
- The rental company accepts your documents.
- Your insurance policy permits you to drive the rental vehicle in Indonesia.
- You understand the rental agreement and damage/excess conditions.
Scooters and motorcycles
A common mistake is to assume that an ordinary Australian car licence automatically covers a Bali scooter.
It may not.
Smartraveller specifically tells Australians to check that their licence or permit is appropriate for the vehicle, including motorbikes and mopeds.
Your insurance may also impose its own requirements. For example, Allianz Australia’s current Bali guidance says eligible motorcycle, moped and motorised-scooter cover requires the appropriate Australian licence class, or a licence valid for the country where you are riding if the Australian licence is not recognised there. Helmet and other policy conditions also apply.
So if your only Australian licence is a standard car licence, do not assume it makes you eligible to rent and ride a scooter in Bali.
What Is the Bali Scooter Licence Question for Australians?
The phrase “Bali scooter licence” can be confusing because several separate requirements are often discussed together.
Before hiring a scooter, check four things:
- Australian entitlement: Do you hold the appropriate Australian motorcycle licence?
- International permit: Does your IDP cover the relevant motorcycle category?
- Indonesian requirements: Does your documentation satisfy the current Indonesian rules?
- Insurance: Does your travel insurer cover you for the exact vehicle and circumstances?
The last point is particularly important because insurance requirements can be stricter than the minimum requirements you might hear from a rental shop.
For example, Allianz currently states that motorcycle, moped and motorised-scooter riding is not included in its standard Bali cover and may require an Adventure Pack. Its conditions include holding the appropriate licence and wearing a safety helmet.
Cover-More’s current Bali guidance similarly says an IDP is required for legally riding a motorcycle or moped in Bali unless the rider has an Indonesian licence, while also directing customers to its PDS for the specific insurance conditions.
The safest approach is to check your exact licence and policy rather than relying on the engine size described by a rental business.
Insurance Is a Separate Check
Having the right documents to drive does not automatically mean every insurance policy will cover you.
Before your Bali trip, read the section of your travel insurance PDS covering:
- Motorcycles and mopeds
- Rental vehicles
- Medical expenses
- Personal liability
- Licence requirements
- Helmets and safety equipment
- Engine-size restrictions
- Exclusions for unlawful or unsafe driving
Smartraveller warns that insurers may deny claims if you are unlicensed or do not hold the correct type of licence.
Insurance policies can also impose requirements beyond the basic driving rules.
For example, NRMA’s current motorcycle and moped cover requires the appropriate licence, a helmet and compliance with its policy conditions. Its current information also states that motorcycle and moped riding is an optional cover rather than something automatically included in every travel policy.
That means there are really two questions:
Am I permitted to drive this vehicle in Indonesia?
and:
Will my insurer cover me if something happens while I am driving it?
You should be able to answer both before collecting a rental vehicle.
What to Ask a Bali Rental Company
Do not rely only on a booking page that says “licence required”.
Before paying for a rental car or scooter, ask the company what documents it requires at pickup.
Useful questions include:
- Do you require an Australian driver’s licence?
- Do you require an IDP?
- Do you need to see the physical documents?
- Does the vehicle require a particular licence category?
- What insurance is included with the rental?
- What damage or excess conditions apply?
- What documents must be presented if there is an accident?
- Are there restrictions on where the vehicle can be taken?
- What happens if the vehicle is damaged?
- Is roadside assistance available, and under what conditions?
Do not assume the rental company’s willingness to hand over a scooter proves that you are correctly licensed or insured.
The Australian Government’s advice specifically recommends using legal companies when hiring vehicles or drivers in Indonesia.
Police Checks and Driving Documents in Bali
Police may ask drivers for documentation during traffic enforcement or following an incident.
For that reason, keep your driving documents accessible when driving rather than leaving everything locked in your hotel room.
A sensible document set is:
- Physical Australian driver’s licence
- Physical IDP
- Passport or suitable identification
- Rental agreement
- Insurance details
- Emergency contact information
Digital copies can be useful as backups, but they should not automatically be treated as substitutes for physical documents.
Indonesian authorities have also emphasised that official driving licences are issued through the Indonesian police system. In June 2026, Korlantas Polri reiterated that Polri is the authority legally empowered to issue Indonesian SIM documents.
This is one reason to be cautious about websites or sellers offering unofficial “international licences” that are not recognised documents.
If you are unsure whether a document is an official IDP, verify the issuing organisation before paying for it.
Driving Safety in Bali
Having the correct licence does not remove the practical risks of driving in Bali.
Smartraveller currently describes Indonesian road traffic as potentially extremely congested, with unpredictable road users. It recommends considering an official taxi or a driver familiar with local roads and traffic conditions.
For Australians who have never driven in Indonesia, consider the following before deciding to rent:
Traffic can be unfamiliar
Bali has busy urban areas, narrow roads, motorcycles, pedestrians and changing traffic conditions. A route that looks straightforward on a map can require much more attention once you are on the road.
Scooters require particular caution
Motorcycle accidents have resulted in serious injuries and deaths among Australians in Indonesia, including in Bali, according to Smartraveller.
If you are not already an experienced motorcycle rider, a holiday in Bali is not a good reason to assume that a scooter will be easy simply because many tourists use them.
Helmets matter
Helmet use is both a road-safety issue and an insurance condition for many policies.
For example, Allianz and NRMA both specify helmet requirements for their relevant motorcycle or moped cover.
Families should consider the whole journey
Travelling with children can change the practical decision.
A parent may be comfortable driving a car but less comfortable navigating Bali traffic while also managing children, luggage, unfamiliar roads and changing destinations.
For families, a driver can also simplify the transport between the airport, hotel, activities and later destinations without requiring a parent to manage the road journey.
When a Private Driver May Be the Better Alternative
You do not need to drive yourself to get around Bali.
For travellers who do not meet the licence requirements, do not have the appropriate motorcycle licence, are unsure about insurance, or simply do not want to drive in unfamiliar traffic, a private driver is an alternative worth considering.
With a private driver, you can plan the transport around your accommodation and activities instead of arranging a rental vehicle and driving yourself.
This can be particularly useful for:
- Families travelling with children
- Travellers carrying substantial luggage
- First-time Bali visitors
- Multi-destination itineraries
- Travellers planning several sightseeing stops
- People who do not hold a motorcycle licence
- Travellers who are uncomfortable riding scooters
- Anyone who wants to avoid the responsibility of driving after a long flight
If you are comparing options before departure, see our guide on how to get a private driver in Bali for practical planning considerations.
The choice is ultimately about your circumstances: if you already hold the right licence and are comfortable driving in Bali, self-driving may suit your plans. If you do not meet the requirements or prefer not to manage the road conditions yourself, arranging a driver removes that particular part of the trip.
A Simple Pre-Departure Driving Checklist
Before leaving Australia, work through this checklist:
| Check | What to confirm |
| Australian licence | It is current and covers the vehicle you intend to drive |
| IDP | It is valid and covers the relevant vehicle category |
| Vehicle | The rental vehicle matches your licence entitlement |
| Insurance | Your policy covers driving or riding in Indonesia |
| Motorcycle cover | Required cover is included if you plan to ride |
| Helmet | You can comply with applicable safety and insurance requirements |
| Rental company | Its document and rental conditions are clear |
| Local rules | You have checked the latest Indonesian requirements |
| Documents | You know which physical documents you need to carry |
| Alternative transport | You have a plan if you decide not to drive |
Do this before the trip rather than trying to resolve a licence or insurance question at a Bali rental counter.
Official Sources to Check Before Your Bali Trip
Because driving and insurance requirements can change, use current sources rather than relying on an old blog post or a rental advertisement.
Australian Government — Smartraveller
Smartraveller’s Indonesia travel advice is the main Australian government source to check for current travel and driving guidance. Its current advice says Australians need an Indonesian licence or IDP in addition to their Australian licence and specifically addresses vehicle classes and insurance.
Your Australian licensing authority
Your state or territory licensing authority can explain how to obtain an IDP or confirm the authorised issuing process.
For example, NSW’s current guidance explains the application process and says an IDP should be carried with the Australian licence when driving overseas.
Indonesian Police / Korlantas Polri
Korlantas Polri operates the official Indonesian SIM International information service and provides information about Indonesian driving permits and vehicle categories.
Your travel insurer
Read the current PDS for your exact policy. Do not assume that another insurer’s scooter or rental-car conditions apply to you.
Insurance providers can impose specific requirements around licence class, engine capacity, helmets and optional motorcycle cover.
Final Takeaway for Australians
If you are researching an international drivers licence for Bali Australia, the key point is simple: plan to carry your valid Australian driver’s licence plus the appropriate International Driving Permit, and make sure both correspond to the vehicle you intend to drive. Current Australian government advice specifically highlights the need for the correct licence or permit and warns that insurance can be affected when drivers are unlicensed or hold the wrong vehicle category.
For a scooter, check your motorcycle entitlement and insurance separately. For a rental car, confirm the vehicle class, rental company’s requirements and insurance conditions before booking.
If you do not meet the requirements, are travelling with family, or simply prefer not to drive in unfamiliar Bali traffic, a private driver is a practical alternative. You can arrange your transport around your accommodation and itinerary without taking responsibility for the driving yourself.
Before departure, check the latest Smartraveller advice, your state or territory licensing authority, the Indonesian authorities and your insurer’s current policy documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Australians need an international driving permit in Bali?
Current Smartraveller advice says Australians need an Indonesian licence or an International Driving Permit in addition to their Australian driver’s licence when driving in Indonesia. The permit and licence should be appropriate for the type of vehicle being driven.
Is an Australian licence enough to ride a scooter in Bali?
You should not assume that a standard Australian car licence is enough. You need to check the relevant motorcycle licence category, the Indonesian requirements and your travel insurance conditions. Smartraveller specifically advises checking that your licence or permit covers motorbikes and mopeds.
Does an IDP replace my Australian driver’s licence?
No. An IDP is generally used together with your underlying Australian driver’s licence. Australian government guidance advises carrying both when driving overseas.
Can I rent a scooter if the rental shop accepts my licence?
A rental company’s willingness to rent you a scooter does not by itself confirm that you satisfy every legal or insurance requirement. Check the appropriate licence category, IDP requirements and your insurer’s PDS before riding.
Can I drive a rental car in Bali without an IDP?
Current Smartraveller advice says Australians need an Indonesian licence or an IDP in addition to their Australian driver’s licence when driving in Indonesia. Check the current official advice before your trip because requirements can change.
What if I do not want to drive in Bali?
You can use taxis, rideshare services where available, organised transport or a private driver. For travellers who do not have the correct licence, are travelling with children or simply prefer not to drive, arranging a private driver can be a straightforward alternative.
