Bali Police Checkpoints & Traffic Fines 2026: What to Know
Police checkpoints are a normal part of riding in Bali, especially on tourist routes in Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, the road to Uluwatu and around Ubud. For visitors, the word "tilang" (traffic ticket) causes plenty of anxiety: how much is the fine, do you pay on the spot, what if you have no licence? This guide explains what police check, the maximum fines under Indonesian law, how electronic tickets (ETLE) work, how to pay a ticket properly, how to behave when stopped and what your rental should provide.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules and enforcement practices change, so always check the latest official sources.
What Bali police check at a checkpoint
- Driving licence — foreign visitors need their home licence plus an International Driving Permit with the right category: A for motorbikes, B for cars. Indonesians need a SIM C (motorbike) or SIM A (car).
- STNK — the vehicle registration document. For rentals it is supplied by the rental company, usually kept under the seat.
- Helmets — compulsory for rider and passenger, worn and fastened, not hanging off the mirror.
- Vehicle condition — number plates, lights, mirrors and a standard exhaust.
- Seatbelts — for drivers and passengers in cars.
Traffic fines under Law No. 22/2009
These are the maximum fines set by law. The actual amount is decided through the official process and can be lower.
| Offence | Article | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
| Riding or driving without a valid licence | 281 | IDR 1,000,000 |
| No vehicle registration (STNK) | 288 | IDR 500,000 |
| No helmet (rider or passenger) | 291 | IDR 250,000 |
| Not wearing a seatbelt (car) | 289 | IDR 250,000 |
Other offences, such as running red lights or riding against traffic, can also be ticketed, but these four are the ones tourists most often face.
Electronic tickets (ETLE)
Since 2023, Indonesian police have relied mostly on ETLE (Electronic Traffic Law Enforcement): cameras that record offences like riding without a helmet, not wearing a seatbelt or running a red light. Cameras operate at a number of major junctions in Denpasar and Badung, and notices are sent by plate number to the registered owner.
On a rental, the registered owner is the rental company, so the notice reaches them — sometimes weeks later. Many rental agreements make the renter liable for fines during the hire period, so an offence with no officer in sight can still become a bill, even after you have flown home.
How an official ticket works
- The officer explains the offence and asks for your documents.
- An official ticket (paper or electronic) is issued, stating the article breached.
- Payment is made by bank transfer, usually via a BRIVA (BRI Virtual Account) code — not cash to the officer.
- Keep the payment receipt. If a document such as your licence or STNK is held as evidence, collect it as instructed on the ticket.
The golden rule: never pay cash "on the spot" without an official ticket. You are entitled to ask for one.
How to behave if you are stopped
- Pull over calmly and switch off the engine. Take off sunglasses.
- Be polite and smile. Bali police deal with tourists daily, and courtesy makes everything smoother.
- Show the documents requested: licence, IDP and STNK. Keep them easy to reach.
- Ask which offence and article applies if it is not clear.
- Ask for an official ticket if there is an offence, and pay through official channels.
- Do not offer money. Offering cash can be treated as attempted bribery.
- Note the officer's name (on the uniform) and the location if something feels wrong, and report it through official police complaint channels.
Avoiding scams and fake police
There are occasional reports of people posing as officers to extract cash from tourists. Warning signs: incomplete uniform, no visible checkpoint, refusal to issue a ticket, or asking you to follow them somewhere quiet. Genuine checkpoints usually involve several officers in an open location, often with signage. If in doubt, stay in a public place, stay polite, ask for an official ticket and call your rental for help.
What your rental should provide
- A valid STNK matching the bike's plate.
- Two decent helmets with working straps.
- A road-legal bike — standard lights, mirrors and exhaust.
- An emergency WhatsApp number in case you are stopped or have a problem.
Avoid any rental that will not provide an STNK or proper helmets. See how to rent a scooter in Bali and the full licence requirements.
If you cannot show a licence or STNK
Without a licence or STNK, the officer can issue a ticket and hold another document or even the vehicle as evidence until the ticket is settled. With a rental, that means calling the company, which will usually pass the fine and any handling costs on to you. Check under the seat each morning that the STNK is still there, and keep your licence and IDP in your wallet rather than back at the villa. A home licence without an IDP is often not accepted, and an IDP without category A does not cover motorbikes.
If you are in an accident
A checkpoint and an accident are different matters. After a crash, put safety first, call emergency services (112, or police on 110) if anyone is hurt, and contact your rental straight away. See our guide to scooter accidents and damage.
The proposed scooter ban for foreigners
In 2023 Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced an intention to stop foreign tourists renting motorbikes, following many traffic offences by visitors. As of 2026 there is no island-wide ban in force, and foreigners can still rent from registered businesses. Rules can change at short notice, so check before you travel. Separately, foreign visitors pay the Bali tourist levy of IDR 150,000, in place since 2024.
How to avoid getting a ticket
- Always carry your licence plus IDP and the STNK.
- Wear a fastened helmet every time, even for a two-minute ride.
- Obey traffic lights and one-way signs, particularly in Kuta, Legian and Seminyak.
- No more than two people per scooter.
- Keep your headlight on day and night.
- Rent from a registered business — compare options in Canggu, Seminyak or Kuta.
Read our scooter safety tips. If you do not hold a valid licence, the simplest option is a car with a driver, so you never need to drive. Browse all bikes on our Bali scooter rental page.
Want a scooter with proper paperwork? Use the WhatsApp form on this page and we will pass your request to registered partner rentals that supply a valid STNK and decent helmets. Quotes come straight to you — free, with no booking fee.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fine for riding without a helmet in Bali?
Under article 291 of Law No. 22/2009 the maximum fine is IDR 250,000. It applies to both rider and passenger.
What is the fine for riding without a licence in Bali?
The maximum fine for riding without a valid licence is IDR 1,000,000 under article 281. Foreigners need their home licence plus an IDP with category A.
Do you have to pay Bali police on the spot?
No. An official ticket is issued and paid by bank transfer, usually via a BRIVA code. Never hand over cash without an official ticket.
Are tourists banned from renting scooters in Bali?
The governor announced an intention to ban it in 2023, but as of {year} there is no island-wide ban in force. Rules can change, so check before travelling.
What happens if my rental scooter gets an ETLE camera ticket?
The notice goes to the registered owner, the rental company. Most rental agreements make you liable for fines incurred during your hire.
What documents do I need at a Bali police checkpoint?
Your home licence, an International Driving Permit with the right category and the vehicle STNK supplied by the rental.