Know the Types of Car SIMs and How to Get Them

A driving license (SIM) is one of the mandatory requirements that must be met by every motorized vehicle driver. This regulation is written in Article 77 Paragraph (1) of Law No. 22 of 2009 which states that anyone who drives a motorized vehicle without having a driver's license will be subject to a maximum of 3 months imprisonment or a fine of up to one million rupiah.

In Indonesia, there are two types of SIMs for individuals/private and the public. Each SIM is adjusted based on the vehicle being driven for a different purpose. To avoid making the mistake of choosing the motorized vehicle driver's license, you need to know the classification of driving licenses in Indonesia.

1. Private Motor Vehicle SIM

There are five types of private motor vehicle SIMs, namely:

• SIM A

The first type of car SIM is SIM A. SIM A is intended for drivers of private passenger or cargo vehicles with maximum allowable weight not exceeding  3,500 kg (three thousand five hundred kilograms).

• SIM B1

SIM B1 is used for drivers of private or cargo vehicles with weight exceeding 3,500 kg (three thousand five hundred kilograms), such as individual buses or freight transport.

• SIM B2

SIM B2 is for drivers of private heavy equipment vehicles, towing vehicles, or motor vehicles with semi-trailer or individual trailer with maximum allowable weight exceeding 1,000 kg (one thousand kilograms).

• SIM C

For motorbikes, the SIM used is SIM C. However, there is a redistribution for SIM C categories based on cylinder capacity or cc load. First, SIM C1 is used for motorcycles under 250 cc. Second, SIM C2 for motorbikes over 250 cc and a maximum of 500 cc. Third, SIM C3 is for motorbikes over 500 cc.

• SIM D

Indonesia allows people with disabilities, who are able to drive a car to apply for SIM D.

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2. Public SIM

After knowing the types of private motor vehicle SIMs, now is the time to find out public SIMs (SIM Umum). As the name implies, a public driver's license is intended for vehicles that transport people or goods for public or commercial purposes. There are three general classes of SIM, namely:

• SIM A Public

SIM A Public is intended for drivers of commercial vehicles and goods carriers with a maximum total weight of 3,500 kg (three thousand five hundred kilograms).

• SIM B1 Public

SIM B1 Public is used for drivers who drive commercial passenger vehicles and general freights with maximum allowable weight exceeding 3,500 kg (three thousand five hundred kilograms).  

• SIM B2 Public

SIM B2 Public is intended for heavy equipment vehicles, towing vehicles, and vehicles towing a public trailer or trailer weighing more than 1,000 kg. Drivers who wish to have a SIM B2 Public must first have a SIM B1 Public or SIM B2 which has been used for 12 months since the SIM was issued.

3. International SIM

You will need to have an international driver's license if you plan to drive overseas. An international SIM is a SIM that is given to Indonesian citizens or foreigners who drive vehicles outside or within the region. Indonesia Regulations regarding international driving licenses have been listed in Article 9 of the Chief of Police Regulation No. 9 of 2012.

To be able to get an international SIM, a person must first have an individual vehicle SIM or general SIM. An International SIM will be issued by the National Police with a validity period of three years and can be extended.

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How to get SIM A for cars

For those of you who are getting a SIM for the first time, you might be confused about how it works. After knowing the types of car SIMs, it’s time to figure out how to make a SIM A.

Driver's license (SIM) A must be owned by four-wheeled vehicle drivers. SIM A itself is categorized into two types, namely SIM A for private passenger or cargo vehicles with maximum weight of 3,500 kg and SIM A Public for the category of commercial vehicles and goods carriers with a maximum total weight also of 3,500 kg. 

Making SIM A is not difficult if you know the process very well. Even now, the process of renewing a SIM A can be done online through the SINAR application (SIM Nasional Presisi).

In order for the SIM A process to be correct and fast, here are the steps and costs that you need to know.

1. Requirements for making SIM A

• Minimum 17 years old.

• Have an active e-KTP.

• Physically and mentally healthy with the proof of a doctor's certificate.

• Able to write and read.

• Have officially passed the theoretical and practical exams.

• Perform biometric recording, including retinal recording, facial recognition, and fingerprints.

2. SIM A document requirements

There are a number of administrative documents that must not be forgotten by new SIM A applicants. The document requirements for making SIM A online and offline are quite different. Find out the requirements below.

• Documents for making SIM A Offline

• SIM A registration form that has been filled in completely.

• e-KTP and 4 copies of it for Indonesian citizens. Meanwhile, foreigners need to bring immigration documents, such as a passport, KITAP or KITAS.

• Passport photo 3x4 or 2x3 (2-4 copies).

• If available, you may include a certificate of passing accredited driving training, a maximum of 6 months from the time it was issued.

• It is recommended to attach Driver Personal Accident Insurance.

• Photocopy of proof of payment of state revenue excluding taxes.

• Certificate of mental and physical health.

• Documents for making SIM A Online

• Scanned or photo of e-KTP

• Photo of a signature on a white paper or a digital signature

• Passport photo with blue background with size 480 x 640 pixels

• SIM A application form.

• A certificate stating that you have passed the skills test (theory).

• Certificate of physical and mental health.

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3. How to make SIM A Offline at the Satpas Office

If you choose to make a SIM A directly at the Satpas office, here are the methods:

• Come early to the Satpas office so you can get an early queue number. Don't wear blue clothes because you need to take a SIM A photo with a blue background.

• Submit the required documents.

• Complete the registration form provided.

• Submitting money for payment of registration, insurance, and physical health tests.

• Conduct medical and psychological tests

• Complete a computer-based theory exam. You will be given three chances to repeat, namely a maximum of seven days, 14 days, or 30 days.

• If the theory exam is said to have passed, you will proceed to the car driving practical exam stages that have been provided.

• If passed, the next stage is biometric recording, SIM A photo, and signature.

• Wait for the card printing process on the same day.

4. How to make SIM A Online

If you don't have much time to make a SIM at Satpas office, you can make a SIM A online through the SINAR application that has been provided by the POLRI Korlantas. However, it should also be noted that the online driving license process still requires you to come to the Satpas office to take a practical exam.

Following are the steps for making an online SIM:

• Download the SINAR application on PlayStore or AppStore.

• Register first in the SINAR application.

• Enter an active mobile number. After that, an OTP code will be sent to your cell phone.

• Registration through NIK KTP.

• Login with facial recognition.

• Determine the type of SIM to choose.

• Determine the new SIM PNBP payment method.

• Take a series of online theory tests. If you pass, you will get a QR code.

• Select the Satpas location to conduct the practical exam.

• In the last stage, the driver's license will be taken after passing the practical exam.

5. Cost of making a SIM A

In accordance with PP No. 6 of 2016, the cost of making a SIM consists of several components. For both SIM A and SIM A Public, applicants are required to pay a registration fee of IDR 120,000 and an additional fee of IDR 50,000 for SIM A Public which is used to issue a Driver's Skills Test Certificate (SKUKP).

In addition, there is also an insurance guarantee fee of IDR 30,000 and a physical health check of IDR 25,000. In total, the cost of making a SIM A is Rp. 175,000, while a SIM A Public is Rp. 225,000.

That is the information about the types of car SIMs and how to make a car SIM online or offline. Get tips about cars only at MPM Rent. MPM Rent is a company with car rental services spread across many cities in Indonesia, such as Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Makassar and others. Find the best fleet with professional drivers only at MPM Rent.