Driving in Indonesia vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Indonesia compared to the United Kingdom, drivers encounter notable contrasts in regulations and practices. From lane markings to speed limits and traffic signals, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and smooth journey abroad. Familiarizing yourself with these variations fosters safer travel experiences in both nations.
Lanes
| Indonesia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid White Line
indonesia:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
indonesia:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
indonesia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
indonesia:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
indonesia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
indonesia:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
indonesia:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
indonesia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Indonesia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
indonesia:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Indonesia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
indonesia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
indonesia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Indonesia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Indonesia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
indonesia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
indonesia:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay