How to Rent a Scooter in Bali (Indonesia)?
Bali is definitely one of the easiest places in the world to rent a scooter:
- The scooter is THE main mode of transportation (roads are often narrow, not easy for a car)
- There’s no public transportation
- There are many tourists wanting to get around by scooter
- And so there are plenty of rental shops 🙂
A Quick Note on Safety
As in most Southeast Asian countries, no license is required to rent a scooter.
It even seems like you won’t get in much trouble with police checkpoints if you have your international driver’s permit (car) license.
That doesn’t mean driving without the proper license is legal, and it can have serious consequences. In case of an accident, you risk not being covered by your insurance. No big deal if it’s only material damage. But if you (or the other person!) is seriously injured, it’s a whole different story.
Renting a scooter in Bali without a motorcycle license should therefore be done knowingly.
Bali’s vibe can lead to recklessness: you’ll see dozens of Westerners in flip-flops, shirtless, hair blowing in the wind, surfboard strapped to the side of the scooter… Riding a scooter is no less dangerous, especially since traffic is heavy and can be intimidating.
If you’ve never ridden a scooter, I strongly recommend taking a few hours of lessons before venturing out. Several agencies offer classes in Canggu. It’ll cost you a few dozen euros, and you’ll be much better equipped to tackle the hostile roads.
One last tip: don’t be like many careless people and wear a helmet! It’s quite sad to see that helmet use is far less respected by tourists than by locals who’ve been driving there for years.
Renting a Scooter: How Does It Work?
It couldn’t be simpler; contact a rental agency. For my part, I found one on Google Maps by selecting the highest-rated one near my hotel.
A brief exchange on WhatsApp to ask what they have available, choose the scooter, check the price, and ask them to deliver the scooter to the hotel.
30 minutes later, the scooter was delivered!
You pay the full rental amount right away. No deposit needed, no passport required.
Sign a sort of contract.
Since there’s no condition report, whip out your smartphone to take a video. Walk around the scooter, pointing out any scratch, dent, or damage. This will save you from nasty surprises when returning the vehicle.
Check that the horn and lights work. Ask to take a quick spin to ensure the brakes are OK.
Make sure you understand how the scooter starts and how to open/close the trunk. Depending on the scooter, it’s not always obvious, especially with those damn electronic keys.
That’s it! You’ve got your scooter.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Scooter in Bali?
These rates are what I observed at my rental agency in Canggu in June 2022.
| Duration | Rate |
|---|---|
| One day | 80,000 IDR |
| One week | 490,000 IDR |
| One month | ??? |
The rate was the same for a 125cc, a 150cc, or a Scopy.
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