Special SIM for Electric Vehicles Tested, This is the Police’s Explanation
Special driver’s license for motorbikes and electric cars is questionable, this is the police explanation
The emergence of electric vehicles in Indonesia has sparked questions from the public regarding whether there is a special driving license (SIM) for users of electric motorcycles and electric cars. Many people are still confused by the rules of the SIM class that applies to electric vehicles, both those that are converted and those that are really electric.
Responding to this confusion, the Directorate of Regident Korlantas Polri gave an explanation regarding the regulations governing the competence of driving electric vehicles. According to representatives from Korlantas, this rule already has a clear legal umbrella.
Brigadier General Pol Wibowo, Director of the Regional Police Korlantas Regident, explained that in the Regulation of the Minister of Transportation (Permenhub) Number 65 of 2020 concerning the Conversion of Motorcycles with Fuel Motorcycles to Battery-Based Electric Motorcycles, it has been stated that the power limits that are allowed to operate in Indonesia. The limits are 2 KW, 3 KW, and 4 KW.
Technically, electric vehicles do not use the cylinder capacity or cubic centimeter (CC) as in conventional motors. On the other hand, electric vehicles use units of electric power in the form of kilowatts (kW).
To harmonize this with the administration of vehicles in the police, the Korlantas Polri refers to the power conversion set by the Ministry of Transportation. “If we convert to cc, 2 kW is equivalent to 110 cc, 3 kW is equivalent to 110 to 150 cc, and 4 kW is equivalent to 150 cc to 200 cc,” said Wibowo when met at the Korlantas Polri office, Jakarta.
Based on this classification, users of electric motorcycles in Indonesia only need to use SIM C. This is based on Police Regulation (Perpol) Number 2 of 2023 which regulates the issuance and marking of driving licenses.
In the regulation, the classification of SIMs for electric vehicles is equivalent to vehicles with gasoline engines. “In Perpol Number 2 of 2023 article 3 paragraph 2, SIM C applies to driving a motorized vehicle with a cylinder of 250 cc, including similar vehicles that are thought to be by electricity,” he explained.
This means that as long as the power of the electric motor is still below or equivalent to the maximum limit specified, the rider simply has a regular SIM C. If later the power of the electric motor is equivalent to an engine with a capacity of 250 cc to 500 cc, then the driver can use SIM C1.
Wibowo added, the same applies to electric car drivers. “There is no special classification for electric vehicle users,” he said.
In conclusion, there is no special SIM for motorcyclists and electric cars. Electric vehicle owners don’t have to worry about having to make new competency cards. Electric car drivers still use a regular SIM A, like driving a conventional engine.
Korlantas Polri emphasized that the essence of owning a SIM is the competence and safety of driving on the highway, regardless of the type of vehicle driving.
SIM rules for electric vehicles
- Regulation of the Minister of Transportation (Permenhub) Number 65 of 2020
- Sets the power limits of electric vehicles that are allowed to operate in Indonesia, namely 2 KW, 3 KW, and 4 KW.
Regulating the process of converting a fire engine into an electric vehicle.
Power conversion to cylinder capacity (CC)
- 2 kW = 110 cc
- 3 kW = 110–150 cc
4 kW = 150–200 cc
Police Regulation (Perpol) Number 2 of 2023
- Manage SIM issuance and tagging.
- SIM C applies to motorized vehicles with 250 cc cylinders, including electric vehicles.
Conclusion
There is no special SIM needed by motorcyclists and electric cars. As long as the power of the electric vehicle is in accordance with the specified limits, the driver simply uses an existing SIM, such as SIM C or SIM A.
The National Police emphasized that the main purpose of the SIM is to ensure driving safety, not only based on the type of vehicle. Thus, the public does not need to worry because this rule is clear and structured.
