No, driving with interior lights on is not explicitly prohibited under Indonesia’s Undang-Undang Nomor 22 Tahun 2009 tentang Lalu Lintas dan Angkutan Jalan (UU LLAJ), but it violates Peraturan Menteri Perhubungan Nomor 111 Tahun 2023 on vehicle lighting standards, which mandates exterior illumination only. The Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia (Polri) interprets interior lighting as a distraction risk under Pasal 106 ayat (1) of UU LLAJ, citing potential impairment to driver visibility and road safety. Non-compliance may result in fines up to IDR 250,000 under Pasal 287 UU LLAJ, with enforcement prioritized in urban areas like Jakarta and Surabaya.
Key Regulations for Driving With Interior Lights On in Indonesia
- Vehicle Lighting Standards (Permenhub 111/2023): Interior lights are excluded from permitted illumination sources, which must originate from headlights, brake lights, or hazard signals.
- Distraction and Visibility Clause (UU LLAJ Pasal 106): Interior lighting is deemed a visual obstruction, violating the duty to maintain clear forward visibility under Peraturan Kapolri Nomor 5 Tahun 2021.
- Enforcement Priorities (Surat Edaran Kapolri 2024): Police directives target interior lighting in high-traffic zones, with discretionary penalties for “excessive” illumination, particularly in commercial vehicles.
Local traffic courts (Pengadilan Negeri) have upheld fines for interior lighting under Pasal 287 as a “technical violation,” though precedent remains inconsistent. The Dinas Perhubungan in DKI Jakarta has signaled stricter 2026 enforcement, aligning with ASEAN road safety initiatives. Drivers should rely solely on exterior lighting to avoid liability.