Driving in Australia vs. Indonesia: Key Safety Differences
When driving abroad, understanding the nuances of local regulations is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison between Australia and Indonesia reveals significant contrasts, from lane markings and speed limits to road etiquette and alcohol policies. Familiarizing yourself with these variances will enhance your travel experience and ensure compliance while navigating new terrains.
Lanes
| Australia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
indonesia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
indonesia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
indonesia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
indonesia:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
indonesia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
indonesia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
indonesia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
indonesia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
indonesia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
indonesia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
indonesia:
Common
Signals
| Australia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Indonesia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Indonesian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
indonesia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Australia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Forbidden unless a sign permits it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Australia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Yes, periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Evidence of inspection may be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Give way and make room |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
australia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
indonesia:
Give way and make room
Alcohol
| Australia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Varies by region; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
indonesia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Australia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
indonesia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
indonesia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
indonesia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 112 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | Check local emergency numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory in case of breakdown |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended for safety |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
indonesia:
112 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; subject to local laws |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Subject to local laws, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Fines apply, enforced rigorously |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days