Driving licenceIndonesia

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15. Driving licence

A driving licence is an official document authorising a person to drive one or more specified categories of motor vehicle. It may contain conditions, restrictions, category codes and expiry dates that determine which vehicles the holder may drive.

Drivers must hold a licence that is valid for the vehicle category and jurisdiction concerned. A licence may be provisional, full, restricted, suspended or withdrawn, and additional qualifications may be required for professional driving.

Front of an Indonesian driving licence.
Wikimedia.org • CC BY-SA
What is a driving licence?

A driving licence is an official authorisation to drive specified categories of motor vehicle.

Is a driving licence the same as a driving permit?

The terms may refer to the same document, depending on the country. Some countries use permit specifically for learners or temporary authorisations.

What is a provisional driving licence?

A provisional or learner licence allows a person to practise driving under specified restrictions before obtaining a full licence.

What is a full driving licence?

A full licence is issued after the holder has completed the required tests or training. Restrictions may still apply because of age, vehicle type, medical fitness or licence codes.

Does one licence allow you to drive every vehicle?

No. Driving licences are divided into categories for motorcycles, cars, buses, trucks, trailers and other vehicles.

What is a licence category?

A licence category identifies the type and size of vehicle the holder is authorised to drive.

Must the licence be valid for the vehicle being driven?

Yes. Holding a licence for one category does not normally authorise driving a vehicle belonging to another category.

Can a licence contain restrictions?

Yes. Codes may restrict the holder to an automatic transmission, corrective lenses, an adapted vehicle or another specified condition.

What is the difference between an automatic and manual licence?

In some countries, passing the test in an automatic vehicle restricts the holder to automatic vehicles until an additional test or procedure is completed.

Does a driving licence expire?

Usually, yes. The document, individual categories or medical authorisation may have expiry dates and require renewal.

May you drive with an expired licence?

No. The licence and the category required for the vehicle must remain valid.

Must you carry your driving licence?

This depends on local law. Many countries require drivers to carry the original licence and present it to an authorised officer when requested.

Is a photograph or copy of the licence sufficient?

Not normally. A photograph, scan or photocopy is not generally a substitute for the original document unless an official digital-licence system is legally recognised.

Does a driving licence prove that you own the vehicle?

No. It proves driving authorisation, not ownership, registration or insurance.

What tests are required to obtain a licence?

Requirements may include a theory test, eyesight test, practical driving test, medical examination or compulsory training.

Is there a universal minimum driving age?

No. Minimum ages differ between countries and vehicle categories.

Can a learner drive without supervision?

Only where the provisional-licence system permits independent driving. Other learners must be accompanied by an approved supervisor or instructor.

Can a learner drive in another country?

Often not. Provisional and learner licences are frequently valid only in the country or region that issued them.

What is an international driving permit?

An international driving permit is a standardised translation of a valid national licence intended to help authorities interpret it abroad.

Does an international driving permit replace a national licence?

No. It normally has legal value only when presented together with the valid national driving licence on which it is based.

Is a national licence valid abroad?

This depends on the destination, length of stay, residence status and agreements between the countries concerned. An exchange or international permit may be required.

Can a foreign licence be exchanged?

Some countries exchange recognised foreign licences without new tests, while others require theory, practical or medical examinations.

Can medical fitness affect a licence?

Yes. A medical condition may require an assessment, shorter validity period, adapted vehicle or licence restriction.

Must changes in medical fitness be reported?

This depends on local law. Drivers remain responsible for ensuring that they are physically and mentally fit to drive safely.

Do professional drivers need additional qualifications?

Often, yes. Drivers of trucks, buses, taxis or vehicles used commercially may require professional competence, medical examinations or periodic training.

What happens when a licence is suspended?

The holder may not drive during the suspension period, even if the physical document remains in their possession.

What is disqualification from driving?

Disqualification is a legal prohibition on driving, usually imposed by a court or competent authority for a specified period or until conditions are fulfilled.

What should you do if the licence is lost or stolen?

Report it where required and apply for a replacement through the competent licensing authority. Do not continue driving when local law requires the original document to be carried.

What should you do if the licence is damaged?

Request a replacement when the document is unreadable, damaged or no longer allows the holder to be identified reliably.

Does changing address require a new licence?

This depends on the country and whether the address appears on the licence. Drivers must follow the local notification and replacement procedure.

1 Indonesia 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Bridge 5 Toll road 6 Slope 7 Roundabout 8 Pedestrian crossing 9 Railway crossing 10 Turn prohibition 11 School area 12 Curve 13 Priority at the next junction 14 Traffic lights 15 Driving licence 16 Parking 17 No parking 18 No stopping 19 Reversing 20 U-turn 21 Uncontrolled crossroad 22 Licence plate 23 Bus 24 Police 25 Ambulance 26 Pothole 27 Path 28 Particulates 29 Air pollution 30 Rush hour 31 Road code 32 Street gutter 33 Cargo bike 34 Forestry vehicle 35 Construction vehicle 36 Semi-trailer truck 37 Trolleybus 38 Speed pedelec 39 Delivery vehicle 40 Idling 41 Tow truck 42 Four-wheel drive 43 Bicycle 44 Motorcycle equipment 45 Rail track 46 Caravan 47 Trailer 48 Tow hitch 49 Fire truck 50 Siren 51 Convoy 52 Emergency vehicle lighting 53 Agricultural machinery 54 Electric bicycle 55 Electric vehicle 56 Pedelec 57 Quadricycle 58 Microcar 59 All-terrain vehicle 60 Van 61 Recreational vehicle 62 Scooter 63 Trikke 64 Personal mobility device 65 Skateboard 66 Segway 67 Kick scooter 68 Roller skates 69 Mailman 70 Hitchhiker 71 Toddler 72 Child 73 Disability 74 Rickshaw 75 Motorail 76 km/h 77 mph 78 Speedometer 79 Ride height 80 Dirt road 81 Driving 82 Start-stop system 83 Manual transmission 84 Automatic transmission 85 Throttle 86 Tachometer 87 Steering wheel 88 Power steering 89 Visual scanning 90 Mirror 91 Fuel 92 Fuel gauge 93 Petrol 94 Diesel 95 Diesel exhaust fluid 96 Car insurance 97 First aid kit 98 Fire extinguisher 99 High-visibility clothing 100 First aid ...