The complete guide to renting a motorbike in Thailand

If you’ve heard of Thailand before, you’ve probably heard that renting a motorbike or scooter is a popular way to get around in the country.

Westerners are often warned about the dangers of renting a motorbike or scooter in Thailand.

But is it really that dangerous?

But before you take off, it’s important to know the rules of the road – and what to do in case of an accident.

In this post, we take a look at the dos and don’ts of renting two-wheeled transport in Thailand. So, whether you’re a first-timer in Thailand or just brushing up on your knowledge, read on for all you need to know about renting motorbikes in Pattaya, Phuket and beyond!

How do I rent a motorbike or scooter in Thailand?

In order to rent a motorbike in Thailand, you must be at least 18 years old and hold an international driving license (IDL or not). You can then choose to either:

Rent a completely new motorbike that comes with the registration papers in your name, or rent a used motorbike.

If you want to go with the second option, you can rent motorbikes in Thailand without an IDL if you only plan on driving locally (i.e., up to your resort or down south for a few days). However, this is illegal and it’s recommended that foreigners only rent new motorcycles.

That said, it’s also important to know that motorcycle rental shops are often located off the beaten track because of this law. If you want to rent a motorbike or scooter in Thailand without an IDL, make sure you know exactly where you’re going because some establishments can be pretty hard to locate!

If your motorbike is registered in your name, you’ll need to provide proof of insurance, a deposit and your passport. This might be different in some resorts that own the motorbike themselves (i.e., it’s not rented out), but they’re rare.

Where can I rent a motorbike or scooter?

There are many places renting out motorbikes and scooters throughout the country; every town usually has several rental shops nearby. Here are some of the most popular places for renting a motorbike or scooter in Thailand:

Pattaya – Golden Lion (Chang-Lee) and Pattaya Rent A Car

Phuket – Cheapest Motorbike Rental, Phuket Travel Centre, M Bike Shop, Banana Bike

Koh Samui – 2Wheel Thailand

Koh Phi Phi – The Last Minute, Koh Phi Phi Scooter Rental, P.P. Motorbike Rental

Do I need a license to ride a motorbike in Thailand?

To ride a motorbike in Thailand, you must hold an IDL.

However, if the bike is rented under your name and you have insurance, this rule doesn’t apply in some places (such as Phuket). Again, this might be different in other resorts so check with your rental shop!

How much does it cost to rent a motorbike or scooter in Thailand?

It can be cheaper to rent a motorbike than a car, and it costs around the same as taking a taxi one way. The good news is that some rental shops include insurance in their daily price while others charge an extra fee. Check with your rental shop before heading out!

The average prices for daily motorbike and scooter rentals in Thailand are around 1,000 to 1,500 Baht ($30-$46).

How old do I have to be to rent a motorbike in Thailand?

While this varies between rental shops in Thailand, you must usually be 18 years or older to rent a motorbike without an IDL. Some places will allow foreigners aged 17 but you’ll need your passport and an IDL.

What kind of bike should I get?

The choice is yours!

Most motorbikes in Thailand are automatic, which means you won’t need to know how to ride a motorcycle with gears and so on.

For your own safety and comfort, we definitely recommend that you get an automatic bike rather than a manual one. If you want to do some sightseeing or go on long journeys, we also recommend getting a slightly bigger bike rather than just the small 100cc ones.

What do I need to know before renting a motorbike in Thailand?

There are quite a few rules and regulations that you should be aware of before heading out:

• Helmets must always be worn and they must be the right kind (not just any old plastic one). You can buy helmets everywhere in Thailand, but they’re usually not that comfortable. If you’re visiting for longer periods of time, it might be a good idea to bring your own!
• If you have an international driving license, it must be shown whenever you want to rent a motorbike, scooter or car.
• Your driver’s license from your home country is not sufficient enough.
• If you rent a motorbike in Thailand under someone else’s name, you must provide proof of insurance for the bike as well as an IDL.
• Lastly, if your visa expires while you’re renting a motorbike in Phuket or elsewhere, you must show proof that you will be leaving Thailand within 30 days.

Why do I need an IDL?

To drive a car or motorcycle in Thailand, your license from your home country is not valid enough. If found guilty of the offense, you could end up paying a heavy fine. If you’re caught without insurance on your motorbike, you also risk having your license confiscated.

To avoid this and other problems, make sure you get an IDL before arriving in Thailand!

Do I need travel insurance to ride a motorbike in Thailand?

This depends on whether you’re riding under your own name and how long you’re renting the bike for. If you rent a motorbike in Phuket or Chiang Mai under your own name, then this counts as taking out travel insurance! However, if you do it under someone else’s name (such as your partner or children) then you won’t be covered.

Make sure you check with your insurance company to find out if they cover riding a motorbike in Thailand before taking one out!

How much should I pay for insurance while renting a motorbike in Thailand?

You can get 100% insurance coverage on your bike from most rental shops for around 150 to 200 Baht per day. There’s also a third-party insurance option for around 50 Baht per day, but we never recommend this. Third-party insurance is only valid if your bike gets hit by another motorbike and not by a car or truck. If you’re unlucky and get in an accident with one of those, you won’t be covered at all!

Always make sure to check the fine print before renting a motorbike in Thailand, as you might find that certain companies charge an extra fee for fuel or additional services.

What are the general rules for driving around in Thailand?

While there are plenty of laws, regulations and restrictions in Thailand, here are some that apply to riding a motorbike:

1. Never ride under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs – you can be heavily fined or even imprisoned.
2. Always wear a helmet, and make sure it is the correct kind (see ‘What do I need to know before renting a motorbike in Thailand?’).
3. If you’re over 40 years old you’ll need to have an eye test every year to see if you can legally continue driving.
4. You must always carry your driver’s license, IDL and passport with you when driving a motorbike in Thailand.
5. You must not ride on any footpaths or pedestrian roads.
6. In Phuket, motorcycles are only allowed to drive up into the hills from 8am till 9.30am on the right-hand side of the road. In Pattaya, Chon Buri and Rayong, two-wheeled vehicles are only allowed to drive up into the hills from 7am till 10.30am on Sundays and public holidays.
7. Motorbikes in Thailand have a ‘drive on the left’ rule just like in the UK; this means you should drive on the left side of the road (the opposite side to what you would do in Britain). However, there are some exceptions to this rule – for example, motorcycles can cross to the right side of the road when turning left.
8. Helmets must always be worn and they must fit properly.
9. Under no circumstances are you allowed to carry passengers, even if your bike is designed for it.
10. Thai Road Tax (TM30) must be paid monthly while owning any type of motorcycle or scooter. It’s 1,900 baht per year but you can pay it monthly at 790 baht per month.

What else do I need to know before renting a motorbike in Thailand?

When you rent a motorbike, you normally have to leave your passport or ID card with the rental company as collateral; this means that if you crash the bike and don’t bring it back, they’ll keep your passport/ID card until you return the bike.

If you’re renting a motorbike for more than three days (and it’s under your name), then you won’t need to leave your passport with the rental company. You’ll also be allowed to drive into Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

You should never drink and ride – if you’re driving under the influence of alcohol, even if it’s just a small amount, then your insurance won’t be valid and you may lose your deposit or have to pay up to 50,000 baht in fines.

Now that you know all the do’s and don’ts of renting a motorbike in Thailand, it’s time to hit the open road! Just remember to always wear a helmet, drive safely and obey all the traffic laws. Have fun out there!