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Cross-border route

Indonesia Papua New Guinea

Driving across the border

Yes — you can drive from Indonesia into Papua New Guinea: carry a certified IDP translation of your licence alongside the original so border officials and rental desks can read your credentials. Papua New Guinea expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP, prepared in the 1949 Geneva Convention format. Both countries drive on the left, so there is no change of driving side at the border. Plan your border crossing in advance and keep your passport, national licence and IDP together.

Get my permit for Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea requirements

Last reviewed July 2026

Route at a glance

FromIndonesia

ToPapua New Guinea

IDP in Papua New GuineaStrongly recommended

Accepted format1949 Geneva

Driving sideleft (no change)

Currency in Papua New GuineaPGK

Emergency number112 or 000

Top speed limit75 km/h highways

Indonesia → Papua New Guinea

Crossing the border

Indonesia and Papua New Guinea share a land border you can cross by car. Keep your passport, national driving licence and International Driving Permit together, and check opening hours and any toll or vignette requirements before you travel.

Driving rules in Papua New Guinea

Drive on the left.
Rough, mountainous roads.
0.05% alcohol limit.
Carry passport, IDP and home licence.

What to see when you arrive in Papua New Guinea

the Kokoda Track
the diving sites of Kimbe Bay
the Sepik River villages
the Highlands sing-sing festivals
the Tufi fjords

Once you're driving in Papua New Guinea

Destination-specific detail sourced from national road authorities, motoring clubs and rental policies — the things that catch cross-border drivers out.

Driving on a foreign licence

Foreign visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their valid national licence; rental companies generally require the IDP, and a home licence alone is accepted only short-term before a PNG licence is needed for longer stays.

Tolls & road charges

Papua New Guinea has no toll roads or electronic toll/vignette system; the limited sealed highway network (such as the Highlands Highway) is free but often in poor, unsealed condition.

Parking in the cities

There are no formal paid-parking zones; in Port Moresby use guarded, fenced car parks at hotels and shopping centres (e.g. Vision City) rather than street parking, which carries a real theft and carjacking risk.

Fines & camera enforcement

Speed limits are about 60 km/h in towns and up to 100 km/h on open highways; police issue on-the-spot fines for speeding, seatbelt and phone offences, and rental firms recover any fines from the renter. Roadblocks and informal demands occur.

If you have an accident

The national emergency number is 000 (police), though response is slow and limited outside Port Moresby; after a serious crash do not stop in unsafe areas and instead drive to the nearest police station to report, as a report is required for insurance.

Driving in the capital

In Port Moresby, carjacking is a genuine hazard at intersections and on the road toward Lae/Nadzab; keep doors locked and windows up, avoid driving after dark, and never stop for unofficial flag-downs.

Sources: travel.state.gov · travel.gc.ca · remitly.com · news.pngfacts.com

Common questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive from Indonesia to Papua New Guinea?

Yes — Papua New Guinea commonly asks foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence. Papua New Guinea recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention format, which is the format your certified IDP translation is prepared in.

Does the driving side change between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea?

No. Both Indonesia and Papua New Guinea drive on the left.

What is the emergency number and speed limit in Papua New Guinea?

In Papua New Guinea, dial 112 or 000 for emergencies; 112 also works from most GSM phones. The maximum for cars on the fastest road class is 75 km/h highways, but posted limits in towns and on secondary roads are lower and always take precedence.

How do tolls and road charges work in Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea has no toll roads or electronic toll/vignette system; the limited sealed highway network (such as the Highlands Highway) is free but often in poor, unsealed condition.

How quickly can I get an IDP for this trip?

International Driver Licence issues your digital IDP in as fast as 8 minutes, so you can have it ready before you set off.

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