Renting a motorbike in Asia: it is the ideal way to explore a city or cruise around in nature. You see many tourists riding motorbikes every day but is it actually legal to drive a motorbike in Asia? What are the important points to consider when renting a motorbike in Asia? We tell you all about it and give you extra tips in this article.
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Is it legal to rent a motorbike in Asia?
It is good to be the first to know that scooters/mopeds/motorbikes in Asia are referred to as motorcycles by European standards. This is because the “scooters” (motorbikes) in Asia always have at least 110cc where a scooter in Europe has 50cc. Therefore, to rent a scooter in Asia, you must hold a motorcycle license.
If you do not have a motorcycle license, you are not officially allowed to drive a motorbike. However, no one in Asia cares about that and you can also just rent a motorbike without a license. Often you don’t even have to show your driver’s license if you want to rent a scooter. The scooter rental companies are very easy about this and give the motorbike to (almost) everyone.
Am I insured if I rent a motorbike in Asia?
Because you must officially have a motorcycle license, you are only insured if you actually have a motorcycle license. Always check with your own (travel) insurance in advance. If you rent a motorbike without holding a motorcycle license, you are not insured and, if you get into an accident, you will have to pay the costs yourself. This can run into the thousands of euros. So think carefully before renting a motorbike if you want to take this risk and what the consequences might be for yourself and others.
Of course, it is always important to drive carefully, especially on the bad roads in Asia. In Thailand and Indonesia, you often see tourists walking with huge abrasions. Be sure to drive extra carefully when it is raining or slippery and always pay close attention to bumps or holes in the road.
Never hand over your passport when renting a motorbike in Asia
Often motorbike rental companies require a deposit. This is used as collateral so that you actually return the scooter and don’t steal it. Some motorbike rental companies want to take your passport; you won’t get it back until you return the scooter. Make sure you never hand over your passport, not at the motorbike rental but also not at any accommodation. Should the motorbike be stolen or something else happens, you won’t get your passport back and you won’t be able to leave the country. Alternatively, propose a sum of money as collateral. Not getting the money back is less of a problem than losing your passport. If this is not agreed to you simply walk on to another rental company. Really never surrender your passport abroad!
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