Understanding 5 Types of Car Driving Licenses Available in Indonesia

When driving, everyone needs an official license as proof of their driving competence. This requirement is not only applicable in Indonesia; every country also enforces similar regulations for its citizens who drive. A driver's license is proof that someone has good driving skills.

The type of car driver's license is a driving permit that must be held by drivers of four-wheeled vehicles or more and has the most variations. Yes, not all cars can be driven by someone who has a personal car driving license. Therefore, let's get to know the 5 types of car driver's licenses that can be obtained in Indonesia.

1. SIM A

You may be familiar with this type of car driver's license. For anyone who owns a four-wheeled personal vehicle, the requirement is to have a SIM A. The personal car referred to can be a passenger vehicle or a personal goods vehicle. However, the load weight inside the car must not exceed 3,500 kilograms.

SIM A is the most commonly held type of driver's license by four-wheeled drivers aged 17 and above. Yes, this is evident from the number of vehicles that pass by on the roads. SIM A can also be held by foreign nationals who temporarily reside in Indonesia (expatriates) but do not have an International Driving Permit from their home country.

Read also: The Process and 5 Types of SIM A Tests That Prospective Drivers Need to Know

2. SIM B1

Have you ever seen a truck driver being checked by police officers? Well, this is done to prevent private vehicle drivers from violating regulations. To drive a personal passenger vehicle (minibus) or a goods vehicle weighing more than 3,500 kilograms, the driver must have a SIM B1.

To obtain a SIM B1, the driver must be at least 20 years old. So, not just anyone can drive a four-wheeled vehicle. In other words, a holder of a SIM A may not necessarily have permission to drive all types of cars. For drivers of larger capacity vehicles, make sure to have a SIM B1 after obtaining a SIM A.

3. SIM B2

Moving on to another type of car driver's license, citizens who have a SIM B2 are those who drive heavy equipment. A common example is a trailer truck with a trailer mass of more than 1,000 kilograms. SIM B2 also applies to towing vehicles, six-wheeled vehicles, trailers, buses, or other transport vehicles.

Drivers who wish to obtain a SIM B2 must also first have a SIM A. The requirement to obtain a SIM B2 is that the driver must be at least 21 years old. Yes, this must be supported by the skills and responsibility to control vehicles with larger passenger or cargo loads.

4. SIM D

Persons with disabilities also have the right to drive motor vehicles. This applies in many countries, including Indonesia. Although it has faced opposition, SIM D can still be held by drivers who pass theoretical and practical tests. If proven capable and skilled, they are certainly allowed to drive a car.

5. International Driving Permit

Can a car driver's license held by someone be used in another country? First, obtain an International Driving Permit to drive in 188 countries around the world. However, one of the requirements is that you must already have a general driver's license. Foreign nationals who already have an international driver's license from their country are also entitled to drive in Indonesia. However, foreign nationals cannot obtain an international driver's license in Indonesia.

Those are some types of car driver's licenses that can be obtained in Indonesia. So, remember that a person who can drive a personal car is legally allowed to drive all types of cars!