driving tips & etiquette in bali

If it's your first time visiting Bali and you're considering renting a scooter or a car, you're probably also wondering about the rules and driving etiquette (and if you aren't, you definitely should be!). When my friend group and I arrived in Bali with three scooter rentals and no clue how to use them, we had to talk with a few locals and our accommodation hosts about how to drive them, what to expect, and how to navigate the unique road conditions. In this guide, I'll provide you with valuable insights and practical tips for a safe and enjoyable driving experience in Bali, drawing from both local knowledge and our own adventures on the island.

How old do you have to be to drive in bali?

In Indonesia, you must be atleast 17 years old to drive a scooter or a car. All Indonesian citizens must pass both a theory and practical driving test in order to obtain their license. If you are a tourist visiting Bali, then you must be atleast 17 years old and, according to the Indonesian National Police, you must have an international's drivers license. If you don't have one, don't worry! You can obtain this license by clicking here and visiting the AAA website. The fee is only $20.

what side of the road do they drive on in bali?

do i need a license or permit to drive in bali?

Yes, if you are a tourist visiting Bali then you do need an international driver's license in order to legally rent and drive a scooter or a car rental. These licenses can be obtained by visiting the AAA website and paying a fee of $20. Each license is good for one year, and is accepted as a valid form of ID in 150 countries.

is driving in bali dangerous?

While I wouldn't call driving in Bali "dangerous", I would say that it's pretty chaotic. Though there are road signs similar to when you are driving in any other country, there aren't too many stop lights. At a stop sign, there were countless instances when I went where a bunch of scooters would be jumbled in one area and just very slowly inching to the direction where they wanted to go until the road became less cluttered. There didn't seem to be a system where each driver make a single file line and took turns going; instead, many people seem to just drive in the middle of the road. In addition, the roads can also be pretty narrow and unpaved in some areas of Bali, like rural parts of Ubud, which can be tough for new scooter drivers to navigate.

Driving tips for tourists renting a car or scooter in bali

One very important tip we learned from a Bali local and friend we made during our travels to Bali is that drivers should courteously beep when coming around a corner. Though this may not seem like a big deal or something that you need to remember, I can promise you, it is. Here in America and various other parts of the world beeping is typically seen as aggressive and signals to other drivers "move out of the way" or "go, its your turn". In Bali, beeping is actually a very polite thing to do, almost like telling other drivers "hey, I'm coming from the other side of this turn!" that way you aren't surprised to see (or almost hit) another motorcycle coming from the other side.

Additional tips for tourists renting a scooter or car in Bali include:

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Navigating Bali's roads can be both exciting and challenging, but with the right knowledge and preparation, you'll find it to be a rewarding way to explore Bali like the locals do. For more Bali insights and travel guides, don't forget to hit that subscribe button. You can also take a look at my Ultimate Guide to Renting a Car in Bali blog by clicking here. Enjoy your time on the road and stay tuned for more Bali content!