Thinking of renting a scooter in Thailand? It will transform your Thai travel experience – it’s an excellent way to see more, explore further, and create fun memories.
Driving a scooter is one of my favorite things, but there’s a lot to know about scooter rentals in Thailand.
Ready To Travel? Don't Go Without Travel Insurance.
I recommend SafetyWing Nomad Insurance, an affordable travel insurance offering automatic monthly payments that you can cancel anytime. I've been using it since 2019, and I can assure you it's the perfect solution for nomads like you and me. Learn more by reading our SafetyWing review.In this post, you’ll find details on the process of renting a scooter in Thailand.
You’re going to find tips, information on the driving license required, as well as travel insurance.
Before we start, let’s talk about the differences between motorbikes and scooters in Thailand.
What’s The Difference Between A Scooter And A Motorbike?
Depending on where you’re from, you might have a different idea of what a scooter is or what a motorbike is.
In Asia, most people call a scooter a motorbike and vice versa.
It doesn’t really matter what you call it. That said, I will likely use both terms in this post myself.
There are four main types of motorbikes in Thailand.
- 110 cc
- 125 cc
- 150 cc
- 160 cc
This is basically referring to the power of the bike. I, myself, usually drive anything between 125 cc and 160 cc.
It depends on your driving ability and your level of confidence. The 150 cc and 160 cc bikes are usually bigger and heavier.
I prefer to rent smaller scooters because it’s easier to move when you park, but I prefer the power of a bigger motorbike.
How To Rent A Scooter In Thailand
Renting a motorcycle in Thailand is super easy and takes only a few minutes.
Unfortunately, there are common scams regarding scooter rentals in Asia, so to avoid having a bad experience, I’d recommend following these steps.
Step 1: Check Reviews On Facebook Or Google
When arriving in a new place, I always look at the reviews for the local rental shops around me.
Reading the reviews will help you find a place that provides good experiences to the renters.
Step 2: Message The Shop Or Go Directly To The Shop
Ask to see the scooters, and you can ask for a newer motorbike.
Usually, the newer models are a bit more expensive, but I personally find them safer because they are in better condition.
You can check the tires, and mirrors, and make sure the bike has a matriculation plate.
Now, we did rent a motorbike without a matriculation plate in the past, and we had no issues, but it doesn’t feel right, so you may want to avoid that.
Step 3: Fill Up The Form, Pay And Provide Documents
Usually, the bike shop will ask you to fill up a short form including renting rules and personal information. They will ask for payment upfront.
They could ask either for your passport or a deposit. It should be one or the other. If they don’t take your passport, they will likely take a photo of it or make a photocopy.
Now, I believe it’s safer to leave a cash deposit than a passport, so we always ask for a deposit instead.
Step 4: Inspect The Motorbike
Some shops could try to scam you when you return the bike claiming you damaged the bike.
To avoid such things, you should always take photos or a video of the current state of the bike.
If this happens, you could show the video or photos to prove you didn’t damage the motorcycle.
That said, if you picked a place with good reviews, you shouldn’t have any issues when returning the motorbike. (Unless you crashed the scooter, of course!)
Step 5: Get A Helmet And Drive
Pick your helmet and go. Enjoy the drive!
Now, why is it so important to wear a helmet in Thailand?
I see two main reasons for it:
- It could save your life. During my time living in Bali, I heard stories of people crashing while driving, and most people who died didn’t wear helmets. So, yeah, wearing a helmet is pretty cool – it can save your life.
- Police officers can stop you if you are not wearing a helmet. As a result, you could get a fine.
Ask yourself, would you drive without a helmet in your home country? The answer is probably no.
You might see many locals who don’t wear helmets, but why risk it? Most locals have grown up on motorbikes, and yet, I still witnessed accidents involving locals.
So, please don’t play it cool, wear a helmet.
In January 2023, we witnessed a pretty horrible scooter crash, and the driver wasn’t wearing a helmet properly, and it flew off.
What Do You Need To Rent A Scooter In Thailand?
As you can see, the rental process is pretty straightforward, which makes the rental experience very easy.
As I mentioned in the steps, you will have to fill up a form, pay for the rental, potentially leave your passport or pay a deposit.
That said, if you contacted the bike shop first, you might already know what to bring with you.
Otherwise, here’s what you should bring along with you when renting a scooter in Thailand:
- Passport (they can ask for it or make a copy)
- Driving license (they might ask for it, but most shops don’t)
- Payment in cash
- Deposit (some shops ask you for a deposit instead of your passport, this will be used to cover damages too)
Thailand Scooter Rental Price
Renting a scooter in Thailand is affordable. Depending on the exact location, you could see different prices. Usually, it costs between TBH 150 and 300 per day.
For example, in November 2022, in Chiang Mai, there was a shortage of motorbikes. Many places ask for daily prices instead of monthly prices. As a result, it might be more expensive.
Overall, if you rent a motorbike long-term (monthly), it will be much cheaper.
When leaving a deposit, you can expect to pay between TBH 1000 and 2000. It depends on the shop and on the scooter you’re renting.
If you do not want to leave your passport as a deposit, you can ask the shop to leave a money deposit instead. This is what I recommend.
Some shops may ask you to pay more for insurance. Note that the insurance is usually medical insurance, not scooter damage insurance.
Tips For Driving A Scooter In Thailand
There are a few things to know regarding driving licenses and travel insurance.
Most travelers rent scooters in Thailand without having the correct driving license.
It might be just okay for you – but if you get into a scooter accident – you won’t be able to claim medical expenses on your travel insurance.
Keep reading to learn more.
Driving License In Thailand
In Thailand, it is necessary to drive with either an international driving permit or a Thai license.
Otherwise, you are driving illegally.
So, what does this mean exactly?
When driving around Thailand, it is pretty common to see police checks on the road.
The police will stop you to verify if you have an international driving permit.
Sometimes, they even check if your driving license includes motorbikes.
If you don’t have one, you will get a fine (about TBH 1000). You will have to pay this fine in cash straight away.
Depending on where you are, you could see more police checks.
In some Thai Islands (Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, and Koh Lanta), I did not see any police officers while driving, but in Chiang Mai, we usually get stopped at least once a week. The same applies to Phuket.
I strongly recommend you get your international driving permit in your home country to avoid any troubles while driving in Thailand.
That said, if you’re still wondering, “Can you rent a scooter in Thailand without a license” – the answer is no – unless the rental shop doesn’t verify your document.
Although, we do not recommend driving around Thailand without a license.
Travel Insurance & Driving In Thailand
Sadly, motorbike accidents happen regularly in Southeast Asia.
Driving in Thailand can be intimidating at first since the rules and the driving style may differ completely from what you are used to.
That said, if you’re thinking of renting a scooter in Thailand, you should make sure your travel insurance can cover you in case of an accident.
The coverage isn’t the only thing to remember – you must be driving legally.
This means you must have a driving license valid in the country where you’re driving (in this case, an international driving permit that allows you to drive a motorcycle or a Thai license).
Here are other things to keep in mind to make sure your insurance policy covers you:
- You must wear a helmet; in Thailand, not wearing a helmet is illegal.
- You must be driving while you aren’t under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
SafetyWing is an excellent example of travel medical insurance that covers you when driving a scooter in Thailand as long as the accident does not fall under any exclusions (racing or intoxication).
If you want to make sure you are covered by SafetyWing, you can also contact them via their support chat.
Driving Safety Tips
Driving in Thailand can be scary at first, and if you feel like it’s too dangerous, it might be better to find alternatives.
Better be safe than sorry.
You can use 12GO to book your transfers between cities. Learn how to get around Thailand.
Whether in a city or on a beautiful Thai island, you can always organize rides with local transport such as tuk-tuks, Bolt, or Grab.
To stay safe on the road, remember to follow these safety tips:
- Wear your helmet – it’s sexier than a bruised face
- Wear closed shoes (especially for longer distances)
- Bring your international driving license
- Make sure your travel insurance covers you when driving in Thailand
- Inspect your motorcycle to make sure it’s in good conditions
- Take scooter lessons if you have never driven a scooter before – you can usually find scooter lessons on Facebook
Final Thoughts On Renting A Scooter In Thailand
As mentioned above, renting a scooter in Thailand is fairly easy, and it will be easier if you already know how to drive one.
Not only renting a scooter is easy, but it’s also affordable.
Make sure to feel comfortable enough before driving a scooter around.
Traveling to Thailand soon? Read one of the following guides:
