Is There a Drink-Driving Limit in Bali?

Indonesia has no numeric blood alcohol (BAC) limit for drivers, unlike Australia (0.05%) or the UK. That does not mean a couple of beers is fine. It means the opposite: police only need to judge that you were driving in a condition that impaired your concentration or endangered others, and criminal provisions apply. The rules below were checked in October 2026 against Law No. 22 of 2009 on Road Traffic and Transport (UU LLAJ).

So how many beers are legally OK?

There is no official number. The traffic law does not state a BAC percentage, and we found no implementing regulation that sets one. The only safe answer: if you drink, do not drive a car or ride a scooter. This applies equally to foreign visitors and locals.

Which articles do police use?

• Article 106(1): every driver must drive reasonably and with full concentration.
• Article 283: driving unreasonably, including while affected by a condition that impairs concentration, carries up to 3 months' detention or a fine of up to Rp750,000.
• Article 311: deliberately driving in a way or condition that endangers life or property carries up to 1 year or a Rp3 million fine. Penalties rise in steps if it causes damage, injury or death (up to 12 years in prison).
• Article 310: used for crashes caused by negligence. In several court rulings, drunk drivers who killed someone were charged under it.

These are maximum penalties in the law. Judges can impose less, but the legal process alone can keep you in Bali for weeks.

Are there breathalyzer checks on Bali roads?

Alcohol testing is not part of everyday roadside checks the way it is in Australia. The Bali Police operations that make the news focus on helmets, licences, number plates and vehicle papers, including large crackdowns on foreign riders since 2023. Police can still assess a driver after a crash, if you are visibly weaving, or at night checkpoints. The smell of alcohol and the way you ride are enough to trigger further checks.

What if nothing happened and I was just stopped at a checkpoint?

Riding without a licence valid in Indonesia (an International Driving Permit for the right vehicle class) or without a helmet is already a separate offence with a ticket fine. Add intoxication and police can impound the vehicle and take the case further. Fine amounts and how to pay are in our article on getting a traffic ticket in Bali.

Can a foreigner be deported for drink driving?

Yes. Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration allows immigration officers to impose administrative action, including deportation and an entry ban, on foreigners who do not comply with Indonesian law. Bali Police said in 2023 that foreigners who repeatedly break traffic rules can be deported. A crash with victims almost certainly goes through the criminal process first, and the immigration decision comes after.

Will travel insurance still pay?

Often not. Many travel insurance policies exclude claims that occur while the insured person is under the influence of alcohol, or while riding a motorbike without a valid licence. Private hospital bills in Bali for scooter crash injuries can be very high. Read the exclusions section of your policy; what to look for is covered in do you need travel insurance for Bali.

What about e-bikes and electric scooters?

Electric motorbikes are still motor vehicles under the traffic law, so the same rules apply. Pedal bicycles need no licence, but the narrow, dark roads of Canggu, Uluwatu or Ubud at night are still dangerous for someone who has been drinking.

How do I get home from a bar or beach club?

• Book Grab, Gojek or a Bluebird taxi through the app. Some areas have designated pick-up points, so walk a little to an allowed spot.
• Hire a car with a driver for the night. It is the easiest option for groups moving between venues.
• Stay within walking distance of where you go out, especially in Seminyak and Canggu.
• If you rode a rental scooter there, leave it at the hotel or venue car park and collect it the next morning. Ask the parking attendant first whether overnight parking is allowed.

One more thing: if you are not sure your home licence lets you drive a car in Bali, read can tourists drive a car themselves in Bali before you rent anything.