Rental vehicles restricted from carrying passengers across Timor-Leste-Indonesia border

DILI, 27 August 2026 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste has restricted rental vehicles from Indonesia from carrying passengers across the land border in either direction, the National Directorate of Land Transport (DNTT) said.

The measure took effect on 27 August and applies to rental vehicles transporting passengers between Timor-Leste and Indonesia, said Nelson Sequeira Martins, head of the DNTT Technical Support Secretariat Department.

Martins said the decision follows an agreement between the governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia governing cross-border passenger transport.

Under the agreement, passenger services across the border must be operated by authorised buses and transport companies, including Indonesia’s state-owned DAMRI and Timor-Leste’s Babadok and Timor Travel.

“We will restrict these rental vehicles from entering Timor-Leste because the memorandum of understanding signed by the two governments on 19 July 2022 allows only buses to transport passengers across the border,” Martins said.

The issue has been discussed by authorities from both countries, including Timor-Leste’s Customs Authority, which oversees the border crossing at Batugadé.

Martins advised passengers travelling to Indonesia to use authorised transport operators.

Indonesian private vehicles may still enter Timor-Leste for family visits and other activities. However, they are not allowed to collect or transport passengers for payment.

Martins said the measure was intended to ensure both countries implement the cross-border transport agreement fairly.

Vehicles that breach the rules may face penalties from the relevant authorities, including a US$45 fine, he said.

Journalist: Arminda Fonseca
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora
Translator: Filomeno Martins