Renting a Scooter in Bali: What You Need to Know Before You Ride
In most of Bali, a scooter is the easiest way to get around. It gets you through traffic, up to the cliffs and into the small lanes where cars get stuck. It is also where a lot of newcomers get into trouble, either with the police, with a bad rental, or on the road.
This guide covers the rules, fair prices, what to check before you ride, and what riding is actually like in Canggu, Uluwatu and Ubud.
The rules: licence, helmet and papers
Indonesian traffic law says everyone driving a motor vehicle needs a licence for that type of vehicle. For scooters up to 250 cc, the Indonesian licence is a SIM C. A car licence does not cover a scooter.
If you are visiting, the usual advice is to carry your home licence with a motorcycle category plus an International Driving Permit (IDP) that also shows motorcycle cover. Bali’s tourist rules also say foreign visitors must hold a valid national or international driving licence. One honest caveat: the law does not clearly list which foreign licences and permits Indonesia accepts. If you are staying long term, the safest option is an Indonesian SIM C, which some stay permits allow you to apply for.
Wear an SNI helmet (the Indonesian national standard), and make sure your passenger has one too. Headlights must be on during the day.
Carry the STNK. This is the scooter’s registration paper, and the rental shop should give it to you, or a copy of it, with the bike.
There is no blanket ban on tourists renting scooters in Bali as of October 2026. Restrictions have been proposed and discussed, so check the latest news before you arrive.
Police fines
Police do run roadside checks. These are the maximum fines under the traffic law:
| Offence | Maximum fine |
|---|---|
| Riding without a valid licence | Rp 1,000,000 |
| Having a licence but not carrying it | Rp 250,000 |
| No valid STNK (registration) | Rp 500,000 |
| No SNI helmet, or a passenger without one | Rp 250,000 |
| More than one passenger | Rp 250,000 |
| Headlight off during the day | Rp 100,000 |
The official ways to settle a ticket are through the court or a deposit at a designated bank. Ask for the written ticket (surat tilang) and keep your receipt.
Insurance: many travel insurance policies do not cover scooter accidents if you ride without the right licence. Read your policy before your first ride, not after.
How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Bali?
Prices depend on the bike, the season and how long you rent. As a rough guide for 2026:
| Scooter | Per day | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Small automatic (Honda Scoopy, Vario or similar) | around IDR 60K to 120K | around IDR 1M to 1.8M |
| Bigger automatic (Yamaha NMAX, Honda PCX) | around IDR 120K to 280K | around IDR 2M to 2.5M |
Monthly rentals are much cheaper per day than daily ones. Many shops also deliver the bike to your villa. Most shops ask for a refundable deposit, usually cash (often somewhere around IDR 500K to 1.5M) or a copy of your passport.
Never leave your passport as a deposit. You may need to show it to immigration, and no rule requires you to hand it over to a rental shop. Agree on a different deposit and get a signed receipt.
Before you ride: a checklist
Do this every time you pick up a scooter:
- Photograph the bike. Take photos and a short video of every scratch, with the rental owner present.
- Check the papers. The STNK should match the plate number.
- Test the brakes, lights and horn. Check the tyres for wear.
- Ask for a decent helmet. It should be SNI-marked, fit snugly and have a working strap.
- Get it in writing. Who pays for damage, theft and fines? What is held as a deposit?
- Save the owner’s WhatsApp. You will want it if the bike breaks down.
- Fill up. Petrol stations (Pertamina) are the cheapest. Roadside bottles cost more.
Renting a scooter in Canggu
Canggu is scooter territory. Lanes are narrow, cars get stuck, and almost everyone rides. Our Canggu guide puts scooter rental at roughly IDR 1M to 1.8M per month.
Tips for riding in Canggu:
- Traffic peaks around sunset and on the shortcut roads. Plan cross-town trips for the morning.
- Shortcuts can be rough. Some back lanes are narrow, uneven or flood after rain. Go slowly.
- Parking attendants watch bikes outside many cafés and beaches. The official Badung rate for a motorbike is IDR 2,000 per stop (since January 2026), and attendants should give you a ticket.
- Grab and Gojek work well here for rides and food delivery if you would rather not ride at night.
Heading to work? See Coworking in Canggu, and find something to ride to on our Canggu events page.
Renting a scooter in Uluwatu
On the Bukit, a scooter is close to essential. Distances are longer than they look, walking is rarely practical, and ride-hailing can take a while to arrive in quieter spots. Our Uluwatu guide puts rental at roughly IDR 1M to 1.8M per month.
Tips for riding in Uluwatu:
- Expect hills. If you will often ride with a passenger or a surfboard, a bigger scooter like an NMAX or PCX handles the climbs more easily.
- Carrying a board? Ask the shop for a surf rack, and ride slowly with a board on the side.
- Watch for sand and gravel near beach access roads and on corners.
- Roads get dark at night away from the main strip. Make sure your headlight works.
Working from the Bukit? See Coworking in Uluwatu & the Bukit, and check what is on at Uluwatu events.
Renting a scooter in Ubud
Central Ubud is busy but walkable. A scooter becomes useful once you want to reach the villages, rice fields and yoga studios outside the centre. Our Ubud guide puts rental at roughly IDR 0.9M to 1.5M per month, a little cheaper than the coast.
Tips for riding in Ubud:
- It rains more than on the coast. Roads get slippery, so carry a rain poncho and slow down on wet afternoons.
- Hills and narrow village roads are common around Penestanan and Nyuh Kuning. Use your back brake on the way down.
- Ceremonies can close roads. Locals are happy to point out a detour.
- Grab and Gojek are available, though some streets in the centre limit pickups.
Find classes, talks and meetups on our Ubud events page.
If something goes wrong
If you are in an accident, stop, help anyone who is hurt, and report it to the police. Take photos, tell the rental owner and your insurer, and keep the police report.
Emergency numbers in Bali: 112 (general emergency), 118 (ambulance), 110 (police), 113 (fire).
For minor cuts and scrapes, a local clinic can help. For anything serious, go to a hospital. Our guide to clinics and hospitals in Bali lists the 24-hour options in each area.
FAQ: Renting a scooter in Bali
Do I need a licence to ride a scooter in Bali? Yes. You need a licence that covers motorcycles. Visitors usually carry their home motorcycle licence plus an IDP with motorcycle cover; long-stayers should look into an Indonesian SIM C.
How much is a scooter rental in Bali per month? Roughly IDR 1M to 1.8M for a small automatic, and around IDR 2M to 2.5M for a bigger NMAX or PCX.
What is the fine for riding without a licence? Up to Rp 1,000,000. Riding without an SNI helmet can cost up to Rp 250,000.
Are tourists banned from renting scooters in Bali? Not as of October 2026. Restrictions have been proposed, so check the news before your trip.
Should I leave my passport as a deposit? No. Offer another deposit and ask for a signed receipt.
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