It turns out that the Indonesian driving licence (SIM) is not only valid within the country but also in several other countries.
A driving licence is a document issued by the National Police and must be owned by all motor vehicle drivers. Based on the location of use, driving licences are divided into domestic driving licences and international driving licences.
In fact, to be able to drive in another country, one needs to have an international driving licence. However, some countries still allow drivers from abroad to use a domestic driving licence from their country of origin.
An Indonesian driving licence can be used abroad as well. This is due to the fact that the driving licence has received recognition in several countries, especially those that are members of ASEAN as stated in the Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licence Issued which was released by ASEAN countries on 7th of September 1985 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The requirement is that every Indonesian citizen who drives abroad can still use an Indonesian driving licence without having to obtain an international driving permit.
Quoting from Indonesia Baik, the ASEAN countries that accept Indonesian driving licences are:
- Brunei;
- The Philippines;
- Thailand;
- Vietnam;
- Laos;
- Myanmar;
- Singapore (Only valid for 12 months from arrival); and
- Malaysia (Must have both a valid international driving licence and an Indonesian driving licence).
Apart from ASEAN countries, the Indonesian driving licence can also be used in the United States. According to the official website of the United States government, to drive in the country, one must have a valid driving licence. Some states in the United States allow the use of home-country driving licences. However, other states require drivers to have both a valid international driving licence and a domestic driving licence.