Riding a scooter in Bali: what you need to know as a student, traveler, or nomad

Riding a scooter is one of the most popular ways to explore Bali. It gives you freedom, makes it easy to reach places that taxis can’t access easily, and for many travelers it’s almost part of the ultimate Bali experience. But there are a few important things you need to know about the rules, risks, and practical alternatives.

1. Are tourists allowed to ride a scooter in Bali?

Yes, in practice, tourists are generally allowed to rent and ride a scooter. Bali’s scooter rental market is large, and rental companies will hand out scooters to almost anyone, often without strict document checks.

Officially, this is not legally correct. According to Indonesian law, you must have an international driving permit (IDP) and a valid national motorcycle license in order to legally ride a scooter.

Many tourists ride around without these documents, but this comes with risks.

2. The right documents: what do you really need?

If you want to ride fully in accordance with the law, you need to carry the following:

• Your national motorcycle license (A category)

• An International Driving Permit (IDP) that covers motorcycle use

• Your passport and the scooter registration documents

Without an IDP, you are technically riding illegally. If you ride without these documents and have an accident or are stopped by the police, you may run into problems with both the police and your insurance.

Tip: Arrange your international driving permit before departure through the ANWB or the relevant authority in your country.

3. What happens if you ride without the proper documents?

You see it often in Bali: tourists riding scooters without an IDP or with only their national driving license. This often works in practice, but the risks include:

• You may be stopped by the police

• You can receive a fine for missing documents

• Your insurance may become invalid in the event of an accident

• You may not be officially insured for damages

In practice, the police often ask for a cash “fine” if you don’t have the required documents, and this fine often stays on the spot with the officer.

4. Has there been a ban on scooter rentals for tourists?

In 2023, the Balinese governor proposed banning tourists from renting scooters due to the high number of accidents. However, this ban has not been officially implemented. In 2026, you can still rent scooters as usual, but enforcement may become stricter, and rental companies may carry out more checks.

So it remains a risk-related topic: Bali wants to reduce accidents, and riding without the proper documents is not viewed positively.

5. Why do these rules exist?

Traffic in Bali is chaotic: narrow roads, many scooters at the same time, unexpected obstacles, and locals who are used to Asian traffic logic.

This chaos makes accidents more likely, and without a proper license and insurance, you may end up paying all costs yourself. That’s why there are laws in place to protect you from both safety and financial risks.

Bali’s police can also issue fines for:

• Not wearing a helmet

• Not having a valid license

• Not carrying scooter documents

• Violating traffic rules

6. Alternatives to riding a scooter

If you don’t want to rent or ride a scooter, there are excellent alternatives:

• GoJek or Grab – motorbike or car taxis via an app (similar to Uber)

• Private driver, affordable if you’re traveling with multiple people

• Public transport or taxis – slightly more expensive, but safer if you’re unsure

These apps are easy to use and often much calmer and safer than riding yourself.

What should you mainly remember?

• Officially, you are required to have an international driving permit.

• Many people ride without one, but this comes with risks.

• Police may request fines, and your insurance may not be valid.

• There is no complete ban, but enforcement may become stricter.

• GoJek and Grab are excellent alternatives if you don’t want to ride a scooter.