Riding Regulations

Motorcycle Requirements

All motorcycles used on NMT tours — whether provided by NMT or brought by the rider — must meet the following minimum standards before departure:

• Engine displacement of 250cc or above for guided multi-island tours.
• Valid vehicle registration (STNK) and roadworthy condition verified by NMT mechanics at the start of each tour.
• Functional headlights, taillights, turn signals, and horn.
• Tyres with adequate tread depth — a minimum of 3mm is required. Worn or damaged tyres must be replaced before the tour commences.
• Brakes in full working order, both front and rear.
• Engine oil, brake fluid, and coolant (if applicable) at recommended levels.

Rider Licensing & Documentation

International Riders

All international participants must carry a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) endorsed for motorcycles, alongside their home-country motorcycle licence. An IDP alone is not sufficient — both documents must be presented together.

• Your home-country licence must be valid for the motorcycle category being ridden.
• Licences and IDPs must remain valid for the entire duration of the tour.
• NMT will verify documentation at rider check-in. Riders without valid documentation will not be permitted to ride.

Indonesian Riders

• A valid Indonesian motorcycle licence (SIM C or SIM C1/C2 for higher-displacement machines) is mandatory.
• Expired licences will not be accepted. Riders are responsible for ensuring their licence is renewed before the tour date.

Safety Gear & Equipment

The following protective equipment is mandatory for all riders and passengers throughout every riding segment of the tour:

• Full-face or modular helmet meeting ECE 22.06, DOT, or SNELL certification. Open-face helmets are not permitted on multi-day highway routes.
• Motorcycle jacket with CE-rated armour at the shoulders and elbows at minimum.
• Gloves — at minimum, short motorcycle gloves with palm sliders.
• Riding trousers or pants with CE-rated knee and hip armour, or separate CE-rated knee guards worn over regular trousers.
• Ankle-covering footwear — motorcycle boots are strongly recommended; sturdy leather hiking boots are the minimum acceptable standard.

Riders not wearing mandatory gear will be asked to equip themselves before the group departs. NMT offers a limited rental selection of helmets and jackets — contact us in advance to arrange.

Road Conduct

Riders must adhere to all applicable Indonesian road traffic regulations at all times. The following conduct rules also apply specifically to NMT tours:

• Overtaking the lead guide or the support vehicle is strictly prohibited without prior authorisation.
• Riders must not fall more than 500 metres behind the rider immediately in front. If you need to stop, signal to the rider behind you and inform the guide via radio or group messaging.
• Riding under the influence of alcohol or any impairing substance is an immediate grounds for removal from the tour with no refund.
• Mobile phone use while riding — including hands-free — is prohibited unless the device is mounted and used only for GPS navigation.
• Aggressive riding, intimidating other road users, or performing stunts (wheelies, stoppies, etc.) is forbidden and may result in immediate exclusion.

Group Riding Rules

Riding in a group requires discipline and awareness. NMT follows a staggered formation system on open roads for maximum visibility and reaction distance.

• Maintain a minimum 2-second following distance from the rider directly ahead, and a 1-second offset to the left or right within the lane (staggered formation).
• On narrow mountain roads or in heavy traffic, riders should revert to a single-file formation.
• Do not attempt to close gaps by accelerating aggressively — wait for the correct moment to maintain a natural spacing.
• All hand signals given by the lead guide must be passed down the group promptly.
• At fuel stops and rest breaks, all riders must wait for the full group to assemble before departing, unless instructed otherwise by the guide.

Speed Limits & Traffic Laws

Note that motorcycles are prohibited from using Indonesian toll roads unless explicitly noted in the tour itinerary with an approved escort arrangement.

Police Checkpoints & Permits

Indonesia operates police checkpoints on many inter-provincial routes. Riders must carry the following documents at all times during the tour:

• Valid motorcycle licence (SIM / IDP + home licence)
• Vehicle registration document (STNK) — provided by NMT for NMT motorcycles
• Proof of insurance
• Passport (for international riders)

The NMT lead guide will handle communication with checkpoint officers for the group. Riders should remain calm, switch off engines, remove helmets if requested, and follow the guide's instructions.

Any traffic violations incurred at checkpoints — including speeding fines or failure to carry documents — are the rider's personal liability.

Breakdown & Emergency Procedure

In the event of a mechanical breakdown or incident during the tour, follow these steps:

• Move the motorcycle safely off the road and activate hazard lights if available.
• Signal to the following riders and inform the guide immediately via radio or the NMT group chat.
• Do not attempt roadside repairs beyond basic fixes (flat tyre, loose chain) without guide approval.
• The NMT support vehicle carries a spare motorcycle, basic tools, and first aid equipment and will attend to the scene.
• If an accident involves a third party, do not move the vehicles until the guide or local authorities have assessed the scene.