Indonesian Police reaffirm sole authority to issue driver's licenses

Indonesia's National Police (Polri) has reiterated that it holds the exclusive authority to issue official driver's licenses (SIM) across the country.

Brig. Gen. Pol. Wibowo, Director of Registration and Identification at Korlantas Polri, stressed this point to prevent the circulation of counterfeit or improperly issued licenses. Such practices, he warned, could significantly harm the public.

"We need to emphasize to the public that the only institution authorized to issue driver's licenses is the Indonesian National Police," Wibowo stated in a written release on Monday. He referenced Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation, which clearly outlines this authority.

“

We need to emphasize to the public that the only institution authorized to issue driver's licenses is the Indonesian National Police.

Article 87, paragraph (2) of the law explicitly states that driver's licenses are issued by the National Police. Furthermore, paragraph (3) mandates that Polri must maintain a system for issuing these licenses. Wibowo added that a driver's license is more than just an ID; it's a state document validating a driver's competence, registration, and identification, based on Polri's verification and testing processes.

Korlantas Polri urged the public to be wary of misleading information or offers related to obtaining licenses outside the official Polri channels. They encouraged citizens to always use the established procedures and adhere to legal regulations for SIM issuance, assuring a commitment to professional, transparent, accountable, and technology-based services for road safety and legal certainty.

“

Therefore, any document issued by other parties cannot be equated with, replace, or be considered a legally valid driver's license in Indonesia.