The Indonesian National Police (Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia or Polri) has officially launched a new format for the Indonesian driving licence (Surat Izin Mengemudi or SIM) that can be used in Southeast Asian countries.
Previously in July, Polri’s Traffic Police Corps (Korps Lalu Lintas or Korlantas) announced plans to change the format of SIM in Indonesia to be more complete and modern. This aligns with the plan to implement the Indonesian SIM abroad, especially in Southeast Asian countries. Several changes that are set to be implemented into the initial SIM format include the presentation of the SIM holder’s bio in English. Information such as the SIM card holder’s name, place and date of birth, blood type, gender, address, occupation, and type of vehicle is also provided in English.
In addition, the latest driving licence format will be equipped with a picture of the vehicle according to its type. For example, for the SIM card held by motorbike drivers (also known as SIM C), a picture of a motorbike will be embedded on the card with the statement ‘Motorcycles <= 250 cc‘. As for the SIM card held by car or four-wheeled vehicle drivers (also known as SIM A), the card will be equipped with a picture of a four-wheeled vehicle with the caption ‘Personal Passenger Car/Personal Goods‘.
The Head of the Driving Licence Sub-Directorate of the Traffic Police Corps, Senior Commissioner Heru Sutopo, told the press on Monday, the 12th of August, that, with the picture of the type of vehicle and the English-language information on the SIM card, the new SIM format should be easily recognised by police officers both domestically and abroad.
“Its function is to make it easier for the public, officers [domestic police], or foreign police officers to know the designation of the type of SIM according to the picture of the vehicle listed on the SIM,” Sutopo explained.
Additionally, the SIM number formulation will follow the population registration number (Nomor Induk Kependudukan or NIK) on the citizen’s Identity Card (Kartu Tanda Penduduk or KTP). Hence, for the new editions of both SIM A and SIM C, each cardholder will have the same number in accordance with their respective NIK and KTP. Sutopo also confirmed that implementing the NIK number as a SIM number has already begun in Indonesia.
“The IT team continues to go to the Driving Licence Administration Organising Unit to upgrade the devices, to adjust to the new [SIM] format,” Sutopo added.
The new SIM is planned to be in full effect in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries beginning in July next year. Historically, SIM has been recognised as the Indonesian driving licence in several Southeast Asian countries thanks to a regional agreement billed as “Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licence Issued” that was authorised on the 7th of September, 1985.