Yes, driving barefoot is not explicitly prohibited under Indonesia’s 2009 Traffic and Road Transportation Law (UU No. 22 Tahun 2009) or its 2022 amendments. However, the National Police Traffic Corps (Korps Lalu Lintas Polri) retains discretionary authority under Article 283 to penalize unsafe driving practices, including those deemed to impair control. Local traffic directives in provinces like Jakarta and Bali have sporadically flagged barefoot driving as a potential distraction risk, though enforcement remains inconsistent.
Key Regulations for Driving Barefoot in Indonesia
- Traffic Law Ambiguity: UU No. 22/2009 lacks explicit barefoot restrictions, deferring to “safe driving” clauses (Article 106) that police may interpret broadly.
- Local Police Directives: Regional traffic units (Satlantas) in high-traffic areas like Jabodetabek and Surabaya have issued advisories warning against barefoot driving during 2023–2024, citing accident data linking footwear absence to pedal misapplication.
- Insurance Liability Risks: Under the 2021 Standard Clause for Motor Vehicle Insurance (OJK Regulation No. 67/POJK.05/2016), insurers may deny claims if barefoot driving is deemed negligent, per Article 21(2) of the Traffic Law.
Enforcement Trends: While no nationwide crackdown exists, barefoot drivers involved in accidents face higher liability under Perma No. 5/2019 on Traffic Accident Dispute Resolution, where lack of footwear may be cited as contributory negligence. The 2026 Road Safety Master Plan draft proposes standardized penalties for “distractive driving behaviors,” potentially including barefoot operation, pending parliamentary approval.