On the ground
Renting a scooter in Bali: licence, prices, helmet and police checks
The scooter is the easiest way to get around off the main roads, and renting one is simple. What is less simple is being in order: two licences, a certified helmet and the right papers in the storage box.
- Updated on
- 8 min read
- By Kylian Dev
Contents
Key points
- National licence and international licence covering two-wheelers: both are required, with regular checks in Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu, Kuta and Ubud.
- Helmet compulsory for rider and passenger, preferably SNI-certified.
- 110 to 125 cc scooter: IDR 50,000 to 100,000 per day, about IDR 1,000,000 per month, as of 20 October 2026.
- To show at a check: passport, national licence, international licence and registration papers (STNK).
Renting a scooter in Bali takes ten minutes, and that is precisely what traps many travellers: the rental shop hands over the keys without always checking your licences. The police do. This guide gives the rules, the prices recorded on 20 October 2026 and the fines, so you can decide knowingly.
To compare with other ways of getting around, see getting around Bali. For insurance and care after a fall, see health and safety in Bali. And for the visa, see Bali visa and arrival.
Which licence do you need to ride a scooter in Bali?
You need two documents: your national driving licence and an international driving permit (IDP) whose category covers two-wheelers. Police checks are regular in Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu, Kuta and Ubud. Without both documents, you risk a fine and an insurer that may refuse to cover you.
The international permit is not a licence in its own right: it is a standardised translation of your national licence, valid only together with it. Check that the two-wheeler category appears on the document before leaving, as an international permit limited to cars does not cover a scooter.
Circular No. 7 of 2025 from the Governor of Bali asks foreign visitors to respect the traffic code, wear a helmet and hold a valid licence, international or national. Its exact legal reach on rentals remains debated, but it shows the level of attention from the authorities.
For the rest of your entry formalities, the Bali visa and arrival guide details the steps in order.
Police checks and cameras: what to show
At a check, show your passport (or a copy), national licence, international licence and the vehicle’s registration papers, called STNK, which the rental shop must give you. Electronic enforcement cameras, known as ETLE, also operate around Denpasar and in tourist areas.
| Document | Who provides it | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Passport (or copy) | You | A paper copy or a clear photo is often enough |
| National licence | You | Valid only together with the international permit |
| International permit (IDP) | You | The category must cover two-wheelers |
| Registration papers (STNK) | The rental shop | Ask for them when you get the keys |
A police campaign called Operasi Patuh Agung took place in 2026. As ETLE cameras fine the vehicle, ask the rental shop, before signing, how it handles any notices received after your departure.
- Keep the documents within reach, so you do not have to dig through a bag at the roadside.
- Stay calm and polite: a check goes better without arguing.
- After a fine or an accident, ask for the official ticket, called tilang, and pay through the official channel.
- A foreigner who is fined may also face an immigration procedure: never ignore a summons.
Compulsory helmet: rider and passenger
The helmet is compulsory for the rider and for the passenger. It must be SNI-certified, with the sticker at the back. The fine recorded for a tourist without a helmet is IDR 250,000. A helmet often comes with the scooter, but quality is uneven: examine it before leaving.
| Type | Recorded price |
|---|---|
| Standard SNI helmet | IDR 350,000 to 700,000 |
| DOT or ECE 22.06 certified helmet | IDR 800,000 to 1,500,000 |
- Look for the SNI sticker at the back of the helmet.
- Check the strap, the shell and the absence of cracks.
- Prefer a full-face model if you take mountain roads.
- A two-wheeler without a sidecar carries one passenger at most.
Scooter prices in Bali: day, week, month
As of 20 October 2026, a 110 to 125 cc scooter rents for IDR 50,000 to 100,000 per day, about IDR 350,000 per week and about IDR 1,000,000 per month. A 150 to 160 cc model, such as an NMAX or a PCX, costs about IDR 150,000 per day, IDR 850,000 per week and IDR 2,500,000 per month.
| Engine size | Per day | Per week | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110 to 125 cc | IDR 50,000 to 100,000 | about IDR 350,000 | about IDR 1,000,000 |
| 150 to 160 cc (NMAX, PCX) | about IDR 150,000 | about IDR 850,000 | about IDR 2,500,000 |
| Top end (160 cc at an agency) | IDR 200,000 and up | not recorded | about IDR 2,000,000 |
The longer the rental, the lower the daily price: by the week or the month, renting costs far less than a series of single days. A price well below the ranges above should alert you to the vehicle’s condition or to its papers.
We publish no fuel price, no insurance excess amount and no recommended rental company: no reliable record lets us quote them. To build your whole budget, see Bali travel budget.
Before signing, ask what is included in the price: helmet, registration papers, phone holder, rain poncho. Also clarify how the price is calculated if you extend, and what applies in case of a breakdown or an accident. A clear written contract protects both sides and spares you an argument on return.
Scooter condition, photos and fuel at pick-up
Before leaving, photograph the scooter from every angle and film a walk-around to keep a record of existing scratches. Check brakes, tyres, lights, indicators, mirrors and the fuel gauge, then ask for the registration papers and the helmet. These ten minutes prevent most disputes on return.
- Walk around the scooter and photograph every scratch, with the date visible on the image.
- Test the front and rear brakes, lights, horn and indicators.
- Check the condition and pressure of the tyres, especially if you plan mountain roads.
- Note the fuel level at pick-up, to return it at the same level.
- Get the registration papers, the helmet and a written contract stating the price and duration.
The headlight must be on during the day under the traffic code: check that it works. On return, walk around again with the rental shop, photos in hand.
- Avoid leaving your passport as a deposit: a copy or a cash deposit is preferable.
- Park in a watched place and lock the handlebars.
- Return the scooter with the same fuel level as the one noted at the start.
Fines in Bali: the legal maximum and what tourists pay
The traffic law (Law No. 22 of 2009) provides up to IDR 1,000,000 and 4 months’ imprisonment for riding without a licence, and IDR 250,000 for a missing helmet. In practice, a fined tourist pays IDR 300,000 to 500,000 per missing document, and IDR 250,000 for the helmet.
| Offence | Article | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Riding without a licence | 281 | IDR 1,000,000 or 4 months |
| Licence not produced | 288 (2) | IDR 250,000 |
| Missing helmet | 291 | IDR 250,000 or 1 month |
| Extra passenger | 292 | IDR 250,000 |
| Headlight off by day | 293 (2) | IDR 100,000 |
| Failure to comply with an officer | 282 | IDR 250,000 |
Missing licence or IDP, per document
300,000 to 500,000
IDR
Source: bali.com
Missing helmet, recorded fine
250,000
IDR
Source: motorkubali.com
Amounts recorded for tourists, as of 20 October 2026.
Pay a fine only against an official ticket and through the official channel. A fine settled “on the spot” without a document has no value, and nothing guarantees it will protect you from another check.
What if you do not want to drive? The alternatives
If you do not have the international permit, are comfortable not driving or are worried about traffic, the alternatives are ride-hailing, a private driver by the day and transfers. They cost more than a scooter, but they avoid fines, insurance issues and the risk of an accident.
- Ride-hailing (car or motorbike taxi) through an app: handy in town and for short trips.
- Private driver by the day: ideal for linking several sites in one region.
- Transfers between regions: see the transfers page for durations and modes of transport.
- Car with driver rather than a scooter for families and groups.
The getting around Bali guide compares these options region by region. A good compromise is to rent a scooter only for days without long journeys, and to take a driver for long distances.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an international licence to rent a scooter in Bali?
Yes: you need your national licence and an international permit whose category covers two-wheelers. Police checks are regular in Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu, Kuta and Ubud.
How much does a scooter rental cost in Bali?
As of 20 October 2026, a 110 to 125 cc scooter rents for IDR 50,000 to 100,000 per day, about IDR 350,000 per week and about IDR 1,000,000 per month.
Is the helmet compulsory for the passenger?
Yes, for the rider and the passenger. The helmet must be SNI-certified. The fine recorded for a tourist without a helmet is IDR 250,000.
What do I show at a police check?
The passport (or a copy), the national licence, the international permit and the vehicle’s registration papers (STNK), which the rental shop must give you.
What is the fine for riding without a licence in Bali?
Law No. 22 of 2009 provides up to IDR 1,000,000 or 4 months in prison. Fined tourists pay in practice IDR 300,000 to 500,000 per missing document.
What should I do after a fine or an accident?
Ask for the official ticket (tilang) and pay through the official channel. A fined foreigner may also face an immigration procedure.
Sources
Figures and rules checked on October 20, 2026 against the sources below. Entry rules and fees change: always check them on the official websites before you leave.
