How to Legally Ride a Moped in Bali: Essential Tips

Renting a scooter in Bali is one of those things that feels completely normal once you're there. Every road is full of them, every hostel has a rental contact, and getting around independently is genuinely the best way to see the island beyond the tourist hotspots. It's also something that a surprising number of visitors get wrong from a legal standpoint — often without realising it until they're at a police checkpoint.

Here's what you actually need to know before you hop on a bike in Bali.

Understanding Bali's Scooter Laws

Bali falls under Indonesian law, and the rules around riding as a foreign tourist are stricter than many visitors expect — and enforcement has tightened significantly in recent years. Authorities in areas like Canggu, Seminyak, and Ubud now run regular checkpoints specifically targeting tourists, and the days of riding around indefinitely without documentation are largely over.

To ride legally, you need two things: a full motorcycle licence from your home country and a 1968 Convention International Driving Permit with the motorcycle ("A") category endorsed.

Here's the part that catches a lot of UK travellers out: your car driving licence does not help you here. In the UK, a full car licence gives you some entitlement to ride small motorcycles domestically — but this is not internationally recognised. If your IDP only carries a car ("B") endorsement, you are not legally permitted to ride a scooter in Bali. You need a full UK motorcycle licence (A2 or A) to get the motorcycle stamp on your IDP.

Riding without correct documentation can result in fines, your rental bike being confiscated, and — more significantly — your travel insurance being invalidated entirely. That last point is the one that matters most. Medical costs in Bali are not cheap, and no insurer will cover an accident if you were riding without a valid licence.

Getting Your IDP: Do It Before You Fly

Your 1968 International Driving Permit must be obtained in the UK before you travel. You cannot get one in Bali or anywhere else in Indonesia once you've arrived.

Apply at any PayPoint store in the UK. It costs £5.50 and you'll need:

• Your full, valid UK driving licence (photocard or paper)
• The £5.50 fee (cash or card)
• A passport-standard photograph
• Your original valid passport as proof of ID

When applying, make sure the motorcycle category is included. If you only hold a car licence, you won't be eligible for the motorcycle endorsement — which means you won't be legal to ride in Bali. Find your nearest PayPoint store to sort this before your trip.

Getting Your UK Licence Ready: Step by Step

1. Confirm your licence category. You need a full A2 or A motorcycle licence. A CBT certificate, AM, or A1 licence — or a car licence alone — won't be sufficient.
2. Apply for a 1968 IDP at a PayPoint store before you leave, with motorcycle category included.
3. Carry both documents whenever you ride — your original UK licence and your IDP. Police will want to see both.
4. Take photos of everything on your phone. If your bag gets stolen while you're out, having digital copies won't replace the originals but will make everything easier to sort.

Renting a Scooter: What to Know

Rental scooters in Bali are widely available and affordable. Expect to pay roughly 100,000-150,000 IDR per day (around £5-8) for a standard Honda Beat or Honda Scoopy. Weekly rates are usually better value.

A few things that will save you hassle:

Take photos of every scratch before you ride away. Rental scam disputes over pre-existing damage are common. Document everything before you accept the keys, and make sure the owner acknowledges any marks.

Never hand over your passport as a deposit. This is standard tourist advice across Southeast Asia and it holds in Bali. Leave a cash deposit instead. If a rental shop insists on your passport, walk away and find another one.

Helmets are mandatory for both rider and passenger. This is enforced, particularly at checkpoints. Most rental shops provide one — check it fits properly before setting off.

Stick to reputable shops. The cheapest option on the street isn't always the most reliable. A well-maintained bike from a shop with decent reviews is worth a few extra thousand rupiah a day.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Riding on just a CBT certificate. A CBT is not a full licence and gives you no legal standing in Bali. Rental shops won't check — but police will, and your insurer will.

Assuming your car licence covers you. It doesn't, not internationally. If you've only ever held a car licence, that's the thing to sort before you go.

Underestimating Balinese traffic. Denpasar and Kuta are genuinely chaotic. If you've never ridden in Southeast Asian traffic before, give yourself time to get comfortable on quieter roads before taking on the busy coastal strips or navigating through town. The flow of traffic has its own logic — it takes a day or two to read it.

Riding at night on unfamiliar roads. Road quality in rural Bali varies considerably, lighting is patchy, and dogs crossing the road are an actual hazard. If you're not confident about your route, leave it until daylight.

Not checking your travel insurance policy. Many standard travel insurance policies exclude motorcycles, or only cover them if you hold a full licence in your home country. Read the policy before you rely on it.

Where to Ride

Bali on a scooter opens up a very different island to the one most package tourists see.

Ubud and the surrounding rice terraces are the classic introduction — winding roads through villages, rice paddies, and temple gates. Manageable traffic, genuinely beautiful, and easy to navigate with a basic map.

North Bali (Munduk, Bedugul, Lovina) offers a cooler, quieter alternative to the south. The roads up into the highlands are the best riding on the island — sweeping curves through cloud forest, with far fewer tourists and spectacular views. The descent to Lovina on the north coast is particularly good.

East Bali (Amed, Tirta Gangga, Sidemen) is what many experienced Bali visitors consider the real gem. Fewer crowds, dramatic volcanic scenery around Mount Agung, and coastal roads with views of neighbouring Lombok. The roads here can be steep and narrow in places — worth knowing before you head out.

The Bukit Peninsula (Uluwatu, Bingin, Padang Padang) is surf country — a series of cliff-top temples and world-class breaks accessible via increasingly well-known coastal lanes. Busy in peak season, but riding in early morning before the tourist taxis arrive is a different experience entirely.

The Bottom Line

Bali on a scooter is brilliant — but it does require a full motorcycle licence and a properly obtained IDP. That's not a technicality you can ignore, and the consequences of getting it wrong (a hefty fine, a confiscated bike, or an uninsured accident) are real.

If you're planning a trip and you only hold a car licence, sorting your motorcycle licence before you go is the move. It's achievable faster than most people think. Start with CBT training to get on the road legally in the UK, then work toward a full motorcycle licence — which is what opens the door to riding legally across Southeast Asia and beyond.

The island will still be there. Go prepared.

This information is provided as a guide to support your travel planning. RideTo has made every effort to ensure accuracy, but licence and permit requirements can change. Always verify current requirements with the relevant Indonesian authorities and your insurer before travelling. RideTo accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from use of this information.