Is Driving in Indonesia Easy?

Even though having your own vehicle during a trip to Java or Bali will give you a real sense of freedom, driving in Indonesia isn't exactly a walk in the park. If you're coming from France or another country where people drive on the right, you'll first need to get used to driving on the other side, since Indonesians drive on the left, just like the British, Indians, or Japanese. Traffic in the archipelago's major cities is also completely saturated. Monster traffic jams, virtually non-existent road rules, and aggressive driving mean you'll need strong nerves if you decide to rent a vehicle locally.

The international driving permit: a must-have for driving in Indonesia

You're aware of the risks and constraints, but you're a confident driver who isn't overly worried by congested roads — in that case, think about ordering your international driving permit before you leave. Do it well in advance, a few weeks before flying out, since processing times vary depending on your home country's procedure. If you fail to receive it on time or start the process too late, driving in Indonesia with only your national driving licence is risky. If you're stopped at a checkpoint, the fine will be steep and you may not be allowed to get back behind the wheel. Plan ahead.

What renting a scooter is like

If you've got your international driving permit in hand and already have experience riding two-wheelers, renting a scooter is a good option. In big cities like Jakarta or Denpasar, it's safer to book a private driver through the Grab or Gojek app to avoid accidents. Unfortunately, these online private-hire vehicles aren't available on every island, especially smaller ones like Flores or Lombok. In these more remote places, it's worth having your own two-wheeler to get from spot to spot without having to rely on an expensive tourist guide. Just keep in mind that roads can be rough, and you should have some scooter experience before taking this on. It's also very rare to be able to rent a scooter in one town and drop it off in another. In most cases, you'll have to return it to the same spot, so plan your route accordingly.

Grab and Gojek: two magical apps

The Grab and Gojek apps are essential in Indonesia. They work much like Uber and let you book a driver at a low cost. You select your pickup point, your destination, choose between a car or a scooter, and then just wait for the vehicle to arrive. Payment is made upfront, so there are no surprises. Ideally, download both apps on your phone and use whichever is more convenient depending on where you are. Some regions are better covered by Grab, others by Gojek.

A different sense of time

Whether you decide to drive in Indonesia yourself or book private drivers through the apps, get ready to stock up on patience. This is especially true on Java, which happens to be the most densely populated island in the world with more than 1,000 people per square kilometre, and on Bali, which isn't far behind — traffic there is absolutely wild. Countless traffic jams clog the roads at any time of day. It's not unusual to need an hour to cover a five-kilometre journey, so try to stay philosophical and keep smiling, so your holiday isn't ruined by this local quirk that can be hard for a Westerner in a hurry to accept.