The number of visitors who come to Bali has increased significantly since the last two years. In 2010, it was recorded that there were 2.5 million foreign tourists visited Bali. This number did not include domestic tourists from other parts of Indonesia. This increases the need for transportation particularly cars. Tour and travel agencies in Bali are now recruiting more drivers to serve their customers who want to see interesting places and watch various performances. Drivers can be recruited if they have got driving license and passed the driving test stipulated by the Indonesian police. Today, the task of training new drivers is given to around 44 driving schools in Bali. New drivers need to practice driving cars for around 20 hours before they are able to get a driving license.

The average course fee for driving practices is Rp. 650,000 (six hundred fifty thousand rupiahs). This amount does not include the cost for obtaining a driving license from the police which is Rp. 250,000. New drivers who take driving lessons in driving schools can get the driving license without having to do the test at the police station because everything has been handled by the driving instructor.

For most of Indonesian people, paying Rp. 900,000 for getting a driving license is expensive. That's why most of them prefer to practice driving without any supervisions from licensed driving instructor officially recognized by Indonesian police.

The increasing number of cars in Bali as a result of rapid development of tourism industry has caused frequent traffic congestions in Bali particularly in the main streets of Kuta, Legian, and Ubud areas. The increasing number of cars has not been followed by the improvements in road infrastructure.

While street users blame the congestions on the big buses that visit the popular tourist destinations during the busy hours, eco-tourism operators prefer to find the solution for the problem by offering more cycling tours to tourists.

Alternative vehicles to go around Bali

If you are planning to travel around Bali without driving a car, you can go by public transportation, bicycle and motorcycle. It is not difficult to rent a mountain bike in Bali if you want to explore villages and rice terraces around Ubud town - the art and cultural center of Bali.

Cycling is the cheapest way but you need to be physically fit if you want to ride your bike up the slope terrains from Ubud to Kintamani where the mountainous view is very beautiful there. If cycling to Kintamani is too hard for you, you can rent a motorcycle or a car in Ubud town to make your journey more enjoyable. Don't forget that people ride bikes or drive cars on the left.