Tejal Somvanshi
The morning sun hits differently when you’re stuck roadside during a police checkpoint. That’s the new reality for travelers in Bali since July 29, 2025, when authorities rolled out widespread spot checks on tourist vehicles across Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.
I’ve got the inside scoop on these inspections happening under Governor’s Decree No. 292/03-G/HK/2025 – and trust me, you’ll want the details before your next island adventure.
“In Badung Regency, we are monitoring public passenger and freight transportation, especially tourism transportation heading to tourist destinations,” says Nyoman Sunarya from the Bali Transportation Agency. Translation: you won’t be stranded on the side of the road if your driver gets busted, but you might face delays and awkward conversations.
In just the first wave of inspections, officials logged about 20 violations – 10 completely unlicensed tourist vehicles cruising the streets, 6 with registrations collecting dust past their expiration dates, and 4 goods-transport rule-breakers.
South Kuta Police Chief Commissioner I Komang Agus Dharmayana W emphasized maintaining professionalism in the industry, stating: “We must avoid any friction between conventional and online taxi drivers. All parties must respect each other and maintain professionalism in providing services to tourists.”
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Want to avoid being part of the statistics? Here’s your cheat sheet for flagging down legit transportation:
Look for the official Kreta Bali Smita label featuring a Jalak-Bali logo and QR code – this confirms the vehicle’s tourism permit. Drivers should display valid permits inside their cars (actually check for these, don’t just assume), and every taxi should have proper vehicle registration documents (STNK).
Travelers can verify a vehicle’s legitimacy by scanning the QR code on the Kreta Bali Smita label to access license data rather than trying to use the OSS system directly.
These aren’t random harassment campaigns – Bali’s transport ecosystem is feeling the strain. Canggu’s narrow streets are particularly clogged as tourist numbers have surged past pre-COVID figures, creating a perfect storm for transportation regulation headaches.
The enforcement falls under the newly formed Guidance and Supervision Team for Public Passenger and Goods Transportation – bureaucratic speak for “we’re serious about this.”
Licensed vehicles must carry appropriate insurance coverage and meet specific safety standards, which matters when you’re zipping around unfamiliar roads on holiday.
If you do get caught in a spot check, expect officers to review documentation briefly. Even with violations, authorities are focusing on documentation rather than impounding vehicles.Travelers seeking current information about transportation regulations can access details through the Bali Transportation Agency website or contact Bali Tourism Board information centers located in tourist zones.
