Bali taxis: Aussies warned that Bali Transportation Agency will be spot checking tourist taxis

Police in Bali have confirmed that they are conducting spot checks on tourist vehicles in order to ensure that safety is enforced across the island.

Aussies travelling to Bali should be aware that The Bali Transportation Agency will be pulling over tourist taxis and tourist transport vehicles across Badung Regency (which includes popular areas like Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu).

The spot checks began on July 29 and around 20 violations resulted in drivers receiving tickets according to The Bali Sun.

Almost all of the violations were from drivers who were driving tourist vehicles and the Bali Transportation Agency also identified a worrying amount of private cars that were transporting tourists without the correct tourist transport licences and permits.

The Head of the Road Transportation Division of the Bali Transportation Agency, Nyoman Sunarya, told reporters that these spot checks on tourist taxis will likely continue for the next month and wouldn’t impact tourists taking taxis.

“[tourist vehicles that were unlawful] were allowed to continue carrying passengers, then they were given a ticket and a warning and asked immediately to process the permit,” he said.

The updates from the Bali Transportation Agency come just days after Bali Police conducted a series of visits to tourist taxi drivers in the South Kuta area.

Sunarya clarified that the Badung Recency was the main area of focus for the spot checks and the purpose was to make sure all taxi drivers were following safety guidelines.

“Continuing, especially in Badung, the team will regularly conduct guidance and supervision in the Bali region to ensure safety, security, and comfort,” he said.