The Indonesian government is intensifying the implementation of an existing law that applies to all travellers as officials crack down on unruly tourists in Bali. Tourists must have a driver’s licence from their country and an international driving licence while renting a motorbike at the Island of Gods, Bali.
It is a pre-existing rule for tourists to have an international driving licence to rent a motorbike. Still, enforcement has been loose, with police frequently turning a blind eye to travellers hiring a motorbike without permission. Transportation officials said the law would be strictly enforced to stop reckless driving on Bali’s roadways.
According to Samsi Gunarta, the head of Bali’s Transportation Agency, the rule to enforce international driving licences is meant to reduce the number of foreign tourists who drive shirtless, helmetless, and dangerously. Samsi alluded to viral videos that showed foreigners breaking traffic laws and denigrating local customs.
“Based on international [law], people can drive vehicles but must have a licence. It is necessary to guarantee that all foreigners must have their international driving licence with them. If they don’t have [a driver’s licence], they can’t [rent motorbikes],” Samsi stated on the sidelines of a conference in Nusa Dua on Thursday, 11th of May 2023.
“We have a problem with many foreign tourists only wearing bikinis while driving rented motorbikes and not knowing how to drive. Even though breaking this habit is difficult, we’re doing our best.” Samsi explained
According to Bali Police statistics, according to local media sources, 171 foreign nationals were penalised between February and March of this year for offences like not wearing a helmet or not having an international driving license or even any driving licence at all.
Initially threatening to outright forbid visitors from renting motorbikes, Bali Governor Wayan Koster first made his request in March of this year. However, things have since mellowed a bit. The government wants to hear from local motorbike rental companies to gather their opinions. Samsi said discussions over motorbike laws for visitors would continue.
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