Bali Road Signs Explained for Scooter Riders: 15 Signs & Words You'll See
By the siappergi.com team · Published · 6 min read
Riding in Bali gets easier when you can read the signs. Many are international symbols, but key instructions are written in Indonesian. Here are the signs and words you'll see most — and what they mean for you on a scooter.
Words you'll see on signs
| Indonesian | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Dilarang Parkir | No parking | Find an attended parking spot |
| Dilarang Berhenti | No stopping | Don't stop, even briefly |
| Satu Arah | One way | Don't ride against the flow, even for a few metres |
| Belok kiri ikuti isyarat lampu | Left turn follows the traffic light | Wait for green before turning left |
| Belok kiri jalan terus | Left turn allowed at any time | Turn left carefully without waiting |
| Hati-hati / Awas | Careful / Watch out | Slow down and look ahead |
| Pelan-pelan | Slow down | Usually near villages, schools or temples |
| Jalan rusak | Damaged road | Expect potholes |
| Ada upacara / Jalan ditutup | Ceremony / Road closed | Follow the marshals' detour |
| Kecuali sepeda motor | Except motorcycles | The rule doesn't apply to scooters |
Shapes & colours
- Red circle: something is forbidden (no entry, no parking, speed limit).
- Blue circle: an instruction you must follow (direction, lane for motorcycles).
- Yellow diamond or triangle: a warning (bend, steep hill, school, animals).
- Green or blue rectangle: directions to towns and areas.
Speed limits in towns and villages are low — often around 30–50 km/h where signed. Ride at the pace of local traffic, not the limit.
Signs that catch tourists out
- Turning left on red where the sign says to follow the light.
- Riding the wrong way down a one-way lane in Seminyak or Kuta.
- Parking under a 'Dilarang Parkir' sign near shops.
- Ignoring ceremony closures — read ceremonies & road closures.
Scooter prices
| Scooter | Daily | Weekly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda BeAT (Gen 4–5) | IDR 80,000 | IDR 425,000 | IDR 1,210,000 |
| Honda Scoopy (Gen 4) | IDR 90,000 | IDR 515,000 | IDR 1,410,000 |
| Honda Vario 125 | IDR 100,000 | IDR 515,000 | IDR 1,510,000 |
| Yamaha NMAX 155 (Gen 2) | IDR 150,000 | IDR 902,000 | IDR 2,260,000 |
Rentals start from 2 days. Book on WhatsApp or via the Bali scooter rental catalogue: the bike is delivered to your hotel or villa and you pay when it arrives.
Related: riding on the left in Bali, traffic rules & police checks and SiapPergi — Bali scooter rental.
Ready to rent a scooter or car?
Fixed catalogue prices, delivered to your hotel or villa. Book on WhatsApp and pay when the vehicle arrives.
All areas & scooter models
Frequently asked questions
What does 'belok kiri ikuti isyarat lampu' mean?
Left turns must follow the traffic light — wait for green before turning left.
What does 'Dilarang Parkir' mean?
No parking.
What does 'Satu Arah' mean?
One-way street. Don't ride against the flow.
Are road signs in English in Bali?
Some direction signs are, but many instructions are in Indonesian, so learn the key words.
This guide follows the SiapPergi editorial policy: facts are checked, market prices are given as ranges and mistakes are corrected. Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.
