Renting a Scooter in Bali, Legally and Safely

Sep 1

4 min read

Updated: 12 hours ago

Rider and passenger in helmets on a white scooter on a garden path

Renting a scooter in Bali is legal for tourists who carry their home licence plus an International Driving Permit or an Indonesian licence that covers motorcycles, and illegal without one, whatever the rental shop says. Riding without one can mean up to four months' detention or a fine of up to Rp1 million under Indonesian traffic law, and an insurance claim that may not pay. Here is what you need.

Licence, helmet and insurance, or do not ride

You need your home licence plus an IDP or Indonesian licence that covers motorcycles.
Riding without a licence carries up to 4 months' detention or a fine of up to Rp1,000,000 (Law 22/2009, Article 281).
Rider and passenger must wear an SNI-standard helmet; the penalty is up to 1 month or Rp250,000 (Article 291).
Australia warns that its citizens have been seriously injured and killed on scooters in Bali, and foreigners are often assumed to be at fault after a crash.
Travellers report scooter rentals from around Rp50,000 (about A$4).

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Why Rental Shops Rarely Mention the Legal Requirement

Most scooter rental shops in Bali will hand over a bike to anyone with cash and a passport, regardless of whether the renter is legally allowed to ride one. That is a commercial decision by the shop, not a legal one, and the traveller is the one who carries the risk if a police checkpoint or an accident makes the paperwork gap matter.

What You Actually Need to Ride Legally

Australian travel advice is clear: you need an Indonesian licence or an International Driving Permit in addition to your home licence, and it has to cover the vehicle you ride, motorbikes and mopeds included. A permit that only covers cars does not cover a scooter, so the category on your IDP has to match what you are riding.

Riding without the right licence is an offence under Indonesia's traffic law, Law No. 22 of 2009, and it also affects travel insurance. Smartraveller tells riders to check that their policy covers them and whether any restrictions apply, for example if they are not licensed to ride a motorcycle at home. That gap can turn a minor accident into an uninsured one.

Helmets are a legal requirement for rider and passenger alike, and Smartraveller notes that helmets available locally may not meet Australian safety standards. Bali's roads mix motorbikes, cars, pedestrians and the occasional animal, and if you have never ridden a scooter before, they are not the place to learn.

What Are the Rules and Penalties for Riding in Bali?

Penalties are the maximums set by Law No. 22 of 2009, as listed by Indonesia's national police; the licence, insurance and accident points come from Smartraveller. Both checked on 24 October 2026.

Rule	What it requires	Risk if you ignore it
Licence	Home licence plus a motorcycle IDP	Up to 4 months or Rp1,000,000
Helmet	SNI-standard helmet for rider and passenger	Up to 1 month or Rp250,000
Insurance	Check your policy covers you on a motorbike	A claim may be refused
After a crash	Foreigners are often assumed to be at fault	You may have to pay all parties

The bike itself is cheap: travellers reporting to Budget Your Trip list scooter rentals from around Rp50,000 (about A$4). The paperwork, the helmet and the insurance are what decide whether that low price stays low.

What to Carry Before You Rent

Carry both your home country driving licence and an International Driving Permit that covers motorcycles, not just cars.
Check your travel insurance policy specifically covers scooter or motorbike riding, since many general policies exclude it.
Wear a helmet every time, since it is legally required for rider and passenger.
Photograph the bike's existing damage with the rental shop before you ride off, so you are not blamed for scratches that were already there.
Avoid riding if you have never handled a scooter before, since Bali's traffic is a genuinely difficult place to learn on.

See also: Plan Your Trip to Bali

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an international licence to rent a scooter in Bali?

Yes. You need both your home country driving licence and an International Driving Permit that covers motorcycles, not just your home licence alone.

What happens if I ride without the right licence in Bali?

You risk up to four months' detention or a fine of up to Rp1,000,000 under Article 281 of Law No. 22 of 2009, and your travel insurance may not cover injuries or damage while riding without a valid licence.

Will a rental shop refuse to rent me a scooter without an IDP?

Often not. Many shops rent to anyone with cash and a passport regardless of licensing, which shifts the legal and insurance risk onto the rider, not the shop.

Is a helmet legally required in Bali?

Yes, for both rider and passenger. Not wearing an SNI-standard helmet carries up to a month's detention or a fine of up to Rp250,000 under Article 291.

Can a beginner learn to ride a scooter in Bali?

It is not recommended. Bali's mixed traffic of motorbikes, cars, pedestrians and animals is a difficult environment to learn in.

Decide How You Are Getting Around

A scooter is one way to move around Bali, not the only one. Compare it against a private driver or a hire car, and settle your accommodation and first activities while you are at it.