How We Got Our Bali Motorbike Licences the Local Way
Throwback to getting our Bali motorbike licences 🛵🇮🇩 Two years ago we booked lessons with a local company in Sanur, learnt how to actually ride the way locals do, and then headed into the Denpasar police station to make it official. If we’re living here, we want to do it properly — learn from locals, understand the road culture, and hold the right licences. One of the best decisions we’ve made for feeling confident (and safe!) on the road in Bali.
Thinking of exploring Bali on two wheels? Getting your motorbike licence the local way is not only smart — it's essential for staying safe and confident on the island's bustling roads. When we decided to call Bali home, we knew we wanted to ride the proper way: with the know-how, respect for local road culture, and official licences to back us up.
We chose a small local driving school in Sanur that offered motorbike lessons tailored for foreigners. It was a game-changer. The instructor spoke great English, but more importantly, taught us how to ride like a local — think navigating tight alleys, responding to unpredictable traffic, and handling Bali’s jungle-shortcuts.
After logging a few hours with them, we felt ready to take the next step: getting our SIM C licence. This involved a visit to the Denpasar police station for both a theory test (in Bahasa Indonesia, though translations can help) and a practical riding test. Our school helped arrange everything, from paperwork to practice runs, making a potentially intimidating process way smoother.
Holding the right licence doesn’t just help you avoid fines; it gives real confidence, especially when riding with family. Bali’s traffic takes some getting used to, but with the right preparation, it becomes an exciting part of your adventure rather than a stress point.
So if you're planning an extended stay or just want to experience Bali more authentically, we can't recommend this enough: learn from locals, ride respectfully, and get your licence — it’s one of the best investments in your island lifestyle.
