You need an international driver’s license to drive a scooter in Bali. It’s the law.
Always keep your license under your seat.
The reason why there is so much confusion around this is because the Bali scooter rental shops don’t actually ask to see your international driver’s license before you rent a motorbike from them.
They rent their scooters to anyone, no matter your age or driving record. So yes, you can technically rent a scooter in Bali without a license and this is why so many travelers get away with it.
But, with more tourists on the road, and more accidents happening, the police have become stricter and there are now regular roadblocks throughout the island.
So the problem isn’t renting the scooter, it’s being stopped by the police.
RENTING A SCOOTER IN BALI WITHOUT A LICENSE
Thinking you won’t get stopped by the police?
I’ve rented many scooters in Bali and spent over 2 months backpacking Indonesia. Up until 2020, I had never been pulled over and asked to show my scooter license.
But, back then the rules weren’t so tight, and tourists got away with a lot.
Things have since changed! I’ve been stopped many times this year.
There’s an increase in police presence on the roads and tourists are paying big bucks so that they can continue their “care-free” vacations.
If you do get pulled over and you don’t have your international driver’s license on you – even if it’s sitting at your hostel just 50 meters away – you will have to pay a fine.
In some cases, they may even threaten to confiscate your motorbike (worst-case scenario).
Also, if you don’t have your international license on you, it’s a great opportunity for the police to extort tourists and get them to pay “fines” directly to the police officer.
WHERE TO GET YOUR LICENSE FOR RENTING A SCOOTER IN BALI
In order to get an international driver’s license, you don’t need to do any tests. It’s a quick, 20-minute process that needs to be done in your home country before you travel to Bali.
It’s basically just a translation of your driver’s license into several different languages and it’s totally worth getting if you’re planning on renting a scooter in Bali.
