How to Rent a Scooter in Bali and What You Need to Concern About
Bali is a small island that has a lot of beauty to enjoy, and it can take few hours to travel from one edge to the other. Many foreign tourists want to rent a scooter to get around the island and they figure that riding a scooter will allow them to see many things about the island of Bali and get more out of their holiday.
But, this isn’t as straightforward as you might think. If you want to rent a scooter in Bali, you would be best off reading our guide on how to rent a scooter in Bali before spending any money. If you don’t, your health, safety and liberty might be at risk.
Who is Able to Rent a Scooter in Bali?
In fact, Balinese rental market is not strict about renting scooters. They allow everyone to rent a scooter on the condition that they can ride a scooter. Every rental companies in Bali only have one motive and it is to profit from the scooters that they have. Scooter rental companies in Bali would probably rent their scooter even if it were not legal for foreign tourist to rent scooter. However, foreign tourists are legal to rent scooter in Bali under certain specific circumstances.
Can Foreign Tourist Rent Scooter in Bali?
Yes, they can. The process to rent a scooter in Bali is very easy. If you want to rent scooter and as long as you have the money to rent, somebody will rent to you. However, you must ensure that you follow a proper process for renting unless you want to spend time in a Bali police station or, worse, a Bali jail. This is so important to do even if the rental company insists that it is not necessary.
Does Foreign Tourist Need Scooter Driving Lesson?
Scooter driving lesson is not mandatory, however it is a good idea for you who are the first time in Bali. Even if you have riding scooter experience or have an international driving permit, you probably do not have any driving experience on Balinese roads. Taking a quick half-day course can help you to have the basic skills to drive safely in Bali. And some basic scooter lessons can really make it much easier to drive scooter in Bali roads.
What is a Minimum Age to Rent Scooter in Bali?
To be legal for driving scooter in Bali, you need to be at least 17 years old. People who are under 17 years old are not allowed to drive scooter in Bali. Bali officials also do not issue driving licenses to people who are under 17 years old.
Do I Need An International Driving License To Ride A Scooter In Bali?
Yes. You must have an international driving permit or international driving license to drive scooter in Bali. Have international driving license means that you are legal to drive scooter in Bali. So you will not face any problem when riding scooter in Bali with an international driving license.
What If I don’t have International Driving License to Ride Scooter in Bali?
Riding scooter in Bali without an International driving permit can make you having trouble with the police if you are caught. If you do not have an international driving license means you are not legal to ride scooter in Bali.
Driving without a driver’s license is not a trivial offence and you could get in real trouble with the police if you are caught. As you will see later on, this can work out pretty expensive, too.
Another reason that you must consider if riding scooter without international driving license in Bali is your health and safety. Riding scooter without international driving license will make you travel insurance not valid. That means travel insurance, health insurance, home insurance, etc. will not cover you if you get injured.
How to Get an International Driving Permit in Bali?
All foreign tourist who want to rent and ride scooter in Bali must have an International Drivers Permit (IDP) also known as International Drivers License.
The requirements to apply an International Driving Permit in Bali
The foreign tourist who want to get an International driving permit in Bali must have several requirements as below:
- Recent self-portraits with certain conditions, such as wearing a (not white) shirt with buttons, a white background color, not using glasses or contact lenses, and face facing the camera with no teeth appear.
- National ID
- Permanent Stay Permit Card (KITAP) for Foreign Citizens
- Valid passport
- A valid driving permit according to the international drivers permit category will be submitted
- The signature is written on white paper using black ink
- A valid international driver’s permit (only for extended)
Cost for making an International Driving Permit in Bali
The cost of making an international driver’s license in Bali is IDR 250K. And the extension fee is IDR 225K. It has been stipulated in government regulation number 60 of 2016 concerning types and tariffs for types of non-tax state revenue.
How is the Method of Making an International Drivers License in Bali?
If you want to make an International Drivers License in Bali, you can apply it online through the site. https://siminternasional.korlantas.polri.go.id/ The sites provides every detail information and requirements needed.
How long the International Drivers Permit is Valid?
One thing you need to know about an international driving permit in Bali is that the validity period for an international driving permit is three years. If you have plan to stay longer and drive, you will need to get an Indonesian driving license.
Do I need to Wear Helmet on Scooter in Bali?
Yes! The helmet is a must when you want to riding scooter in Bali. It is not only for the law, but also for your safety reason. Wear helmet can save your head from any blow on the head. For some of you maybe wear helmet will make you uncomfortable or even don’t look awesome, but wear helmets save lives. While on scooter, you must ensure safety for you and any passengers that you have.
What Do I Need to Rent Scooter In Bali?
Before you can rent your scooter in Bali, you will need the following rental requirements:
- Identity Card or some form of ID.
- Driving License or an international driving license.
- Valid Passport.
- Detail Departure Flight Ticket
- A Security deposit in cash. (you will normally get it back unless you trash the scooter you’ve been riding)
- The full rental fee is in cash. (It is standard to pay for the rental period upfront)
- Your Accommodation address and a WhatsApp number.
How to Rent Scooter in Bali?
If you have all the requirements to rent a scooter, then now is time to get an information about how to rent a scooter in Bali. We can say that not all scooter rental shop in Bali has a good scooter. Not all of them well maintain their scooter. So please be careful when you want to pick up one scooter.
Always Check the Scooter Condition
Do full inspection on every part of the scooter to ensure that every parts work well. If you do not do this, you may spend a lot of time getting the scooter repaired at your own expense and lose a lot of money.
Choose Scooter with Good Wheels & Tires
Tires are so important for your scooter. They help your scooter stick to the road. Pick the scooter with the tires that are undamaged, properly straight and not bald.
Choose Scooter with Good Brakes
Another important part are the brakes of your scooter. Test them for any physical signs of wear and damage and make sure they handle properly. The best way is you do a little test drive to ensure that the brakes are working.
Ensure the Headlights, Brake Lights & Indicator Lights are working
Not all streets in Bali have a good light, once you get out of the cities you will need a good light on your scooter. That’s way must ensure that your scooter lights are all in good working order. Check the scooter headlights (including high beam functionality), brake lights and indicators.
Check the Engine Conditions
It needs more skill to do check the engine scooter condition from it sound. Listen out for bumping, rattling, or any other noises that scream. If you aren’t an expert, simplify choose newer scooter. Usually newer scooter model has good engine condition.
Capturing or Filming All the Bodywork of the Scooter
In order to avoid the charged for any damage or scratch on the scooter that you didn’t did, you must go over the body with a fine-toothed comb and find any scratches, scrapes, etc. and take pictures of them and video them.
Choose Rental Scooter that provide Helmet
Helmet is so important when you are on the scooter. Make sure that the scooter you rent come with helmet. A good rental scooter company will provide good helmets condition with visor to their customers. Choose the helmets that are not cracked, that the chin strap works and is comfortable and that it feels like it’s in good working order. Please take care of your helmet as helmets are easy get stolen in Bali. Make sure to secure them under the seat and put the pin in place to hook yours up when not in use.
One of the best and trusted scooter rental company in Bali is Rentscooterbali. Rentscooterbali company has very well maintained scooters and come along with good helmets and phone holder. The service is also very detail from the instruction of how to use or operate the scooter until some tips to ride scooter in Bali and save your belonging. Rentscooterbali always take care of their customer’s safety. And even if your accommodation is close enough to one of their garage, you will get free delivery scooter to your stay.
What Kinds of Scooter Good to Rent in Bali?
Rent scooter is very popular activity in Bali, and there are a huge number of choices when it comes to renting a scooter in Bali. Below is some basic information that be used as a consideration when you plan to rent a scooter in Bali.
The first thing is the power of the engine. Usually mentioned in “CC”. CC is a reference to the capacity of the engine. Tend to go from about 110 CC to 125 CC are categorized as small scooters. And 150 CC to 160 CC are categorized as medium scooters. If you want to get cheaper rent price, then smaller option is the right choice. However, if you intend to drive up big mountains, you will need to rent a scooter with a high CC level. Small CC scooter is only suitable for driving in the cities area which have flat street conditions.
The second this is The Brand. The most popular brands that will you find in Bali Scooter Rental Shop are Honda and Yamaha. They tend to be the most cost-effective scooter for rent in Bali. Small scooter or Low CC models includes Honda Scoopy 110 CC or Honda Vario 125 CC, and Yamaha Fazzio 125 CC. Medium scooter with Medium CC includes Yamaha NMAX 155 cc, Honda PCX 160 CC and Honda Vario 160 CC. And the big scooter with High level CC is Yamaha XMAX 250 CC. The most favorite one for its comfortable riding is Yamaha NMAX 155 CC.
The options for you who are an inexperienced driver is small scooters with low CC. The lighter the scooter, the easier it is to ride.
Can I Rent Scooter without International Driver License in Bali?
Based on the Bali Traffic Law, it is not legal if you rent scooter without an international driver license. But sadly, you can easily rent scooter in some rental shop even without international driver license. However, you might be setting yourself up for problems later on if you rent and ride scooter without an international driver license in Bali. The police will caught you when you get pulled over in traffic.
Riding Scooter and Without an International Drivers Permit in Bali and Getting Caught by the Traffic Police.
When riding a scooter in Bali and you get caught at one of the many traffic stops in Bali, the first thing that the traffic police will do is asking your scooter registration and of course also your international driver’s license. And If you can’t show them, then you’re going to be in trouble. At this point, the police officer will give you a ticket for a fine. Depending on how many violations you are being charged with, this probably won’t be a fortune. Then you will have to attend a court date and would not be allowed to leave Bali until it’s over.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Scooter Use in Bali?
This is also same as in your home country that Insurers insist you must be driving legally in order for you to be covered. So the First you will need to have a national driver’s license and an international license to ride scooter in Bali. Second, you must a travel insurance policy that specifically states in the terms that you can drive when covered by the policy. Third, you must obey the traffic law when riding scooter in Bali. And the last, you must know that even there is no specific law against drunk driving, but if you get into trouble with the police, you will get a higher fine and sentence if you are drunk when driving scooter.
A Guide to Staying Safe in Riding a Scooter in Bali
Finally here is a step by step guide to staying safe in renting and riding scooter in Bali.
1. You Must Have an International Drivers Permit
Drive legal is must, so If you don’t have the right license, don’t drive. Beside to make you legal when riding scooter in Bali, the license also makes certain that your insurer will consider a claim if you get into an accident.
2. Always Wear Your Helmet When Riding a Scooter
Wear helmet when riding a scooter is a mandatory. Helmet can save your head from get any kind of head injury and it will also mean that your insurer pays out if you crash.
3. Rent a Scooter with Fully Assessing Its Condition
Good condition scooters are safe scooters and faulty scooters aren’t safe scooters. Never rent one that is faulty even the rent price is really cheap. Your safety and time is priority. There are so many scooter rental places here in Bali that there’s no need to rent the first scooter you see.
4. Do Not Let Yourself Get Scammed
There is no good quality at a cheap price. Don’t be fooled by offers of cheap scooter rental prices because you might end up getting a problematic scooter. Choose a normal scooter rental price or get scooter rental recommendations from your friends or family who have rented scooter in Bali.
5. Capture Any Flaws in the Scooter
This one important thing you should do when renting scooter in Bali. You will be liable for any damage while a scooter is in your care. And you won’t have to pay for it if you have proof that you didn’t do the damage.
6. Always Stick To the Law While on the Road
Follow all traffic law will keep you safe, besides it also can make the police are less likely to pull you over to inspect your driver’s license if you’re driving properly.
7. Park Scooter Properly
A common damage on the scooter rental in Bali is caused by someone accidently hit it on parking lot. This is because people just park their scooter wherever they feel like park them. But that doesn’t mean you should do the same. Always make sure your scooter is clear from traffic or pedestrians and there are enough space with another scooters when you park it. Then, your scooter is much less likely to be damaged in your absence.
