Do you need a licence to rent a scooter in Thailand?

Updated: July 2026 · 6 min read · APARTEL Rental

Here is the honest, two-part answer. To ride a scooter legally in Thailand you need a licence — category A (motorcycle) plus an International Driving Permit. But whether a rental shop demands to see one before handing you the keys is a separate matter entirely, and many won't. Those two facts get tangled together all the time, so let's untangle them.

The law vs the rental counter

"Do you need a licence to rent a scooter" really contains two different questions:

To ride legally? Yes. Thai law requires a motorcycle licence, and a foreign licence is only valid here alongside an International Driving Permit. No exceptions for tourists.
To physically rent one? Often, no. Plenty of high-street shops will hand a scooter to anyone who leaves a deposit and doesn't ask any questions. That is their commercial choice, not a sign that it's legal.

So yes, you can rent without a licence in the sense that a shop will let you. The problem is not getting the bike — it's everything that happens after you ride off on it.

The trap. A shop renting to you without checking isn't doing you a favour. It just means the risk sits entirely with you — the unlicensed rider — instead of being flagged before you leave.

What actually goes wrong without a licence

Riding unlicensed on Phuket is not a theoretical risk. Two things bite:

Checkpoints. Police set up licence checks, most often on weekday mornings around Patong hill, Kamala and the Chalong junctions. No valid licence and IDP means a fine from around 500 baht — routine and unremarkable to them.
Insurance after an accident. This is the one that actually costs. Travel and medical policies almost universally exclude "operating a motorcycle without the appropriate licence." Fall off without category A and an IDP, and the insurer has a clean reason to refuse — and Phuket's good hospitals are private, with bills in the hundreds of thousands of baht.

The full fine table and insurance detail is in our companion guide on the scooter licence and fines in Thailand. The short version: the licence is cheap insurance for the one day something goes wrong.

What documents you actually need

To rent and ride the right way, bring:

Document	Why it matters
National licence with category A	Car-only (cat. B) does not cover a scooter
International Driving Permit (IDP)	Makes your foreign licence valid in Thailand
A deposit	Cash with us — we don't hold your passport

Not sure whether your licence has category A, or which IDP version to bring? That's covered in our full guide on the International Driving Permit in Thailand — including the fact that you must arrange the IDP at home before you fly, because Thailand doesn't issue them to tourists.

How to rent safely — the shop matters too

Whether or not you have every document, the rental company you choose changes how exposed you are. A few things to look for:

Signs of a rental worth trusting

They ask about your licence. Counter-intuitive, but a shop that checks is a shop that carries real insurance and takes it seriously.
Cash deposit, no passport held. Handing over your passport as security is a common way tourists get stuck in disputes over "damage." A cash deposit is cleaner and safer.
Photos of the bike at handover. A company that documents existing scratches with you won't invent new ones on return.
Helmets included, bike actually serviced. Working brakes and tyres are not optional on Phuket's hills.

Want the full walkthrough of a safe rental — deposit, handover, rain, returns? See how to rent a scooter in Phuket.

The bottom line

Yes, you need a licence to ride a scooter in Thailand legally — category A plus an IDP — even if a given shop doesn't ask. The smart move is to arrange your documents at home, then rent from a company that checks them, because that same company is the one whose insurance and honesty actually protect you. Renting is the easy part; riding covered is the part worth getting right.

Licences and fines in Phuket — the numbers worth knowing first

What the police check and what each mistake costs:

A scooter needs a category A licence — even with 10 years of car driving behind you
The fine without category A or without an IDP is 500 ฿ to 1,000 ฿
The fine for riding without a helmet is up to 2,000 ฿
Drink-driving counts from 0.5 ‰
An IDP takes about 1 day to issue and costs around 1 600 ₽ in 2026
Thailand accepts both IDP formats — the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention
Checkpoints most often stand in the morning near Patong, Kamala and Chalong
Without a licence the insurance pays nothing — a private hospital bill is all yours
At APARTEL the deposit is 2,500–5,000 ฿ and we never keep a passport
The fleet has 10 models from 150 ฿ to 800 ฿ a day
If the passenger has no helmet either, the rider’s fine doubles to 4,000 ฿ — enforced since 1 June 2025
An IDP is not valid without your original national licence — checkpoints ask for both documents
A foreign IDP is used in Thailand for up to 90 days from the date of entry

What does a scooter rental in Phuket cost by model and length?

APARTEL price list v6, updated 2026-07-07. The prices are the same at every branch.

The daily rate falls as the rental gets longer. Every line carries the model, the length, the daily price and the deposit.

Yamaha Fino 125, 1–3 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha Fino 125, 3–6 days — 230 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha Fino 125, 7–11 days — 220 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha Fino 125, 12–17 days — 170 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha Fino 125, 18–23 days — 150 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha Fino 125, one month — 3,500 ฿, that is 117 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿
Yamaha Grand Filano 125, 1–3 days — 300 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha Grand Filano 125, 3–6 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha Grand Filano 125, 7–11 days — 200 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha Grand Filano 125, 12–17 days — 150 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha Grand Filano 125, 18–23 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha Grand Filano 125, one month — 5,500 ฿, that is 183 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿
Yamaha NMAX OLD, 1–3 days — 340 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha NMAX OLD, 3–6 days — 290 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha NMAX OLD, 7–11 days — 270 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha NMAX OLD, 12–17 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha NMAX OLD, 18–23 days — 230 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha NMAX OLD, one month — 5,100 ฿, that is 170 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿
Yamaha NMAX 155 (2022-24), 1–3 days — 400 ฿/day, deposit 3,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha NMAX 155 (2022-24), 3–6 days — 350 ฿/day, deposit 3,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha NMAX 155 (2022-24), 7–11 days — 300 ฿/day, deposit 3,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha NMAX 155 (2022-24), 12–17 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 3,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha NMAX 155 (2022-24), 18–23 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 3,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha NMAX 155 (2022-24), one month — 5,500 ฿, that is 183 ฿/day, deposit 3,500 ฿
Honda PCX 160 (2022-24), 1–3 days — 400 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda PCX 160 (2022-24), 3–6 days — 350 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda PCX 160 (2022-24), 7–11 days — 300 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda PCX 160 (2022-24), 12–17 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda PCX 160 (2022-24), 18–23 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda PCX 160 (2022-24), one month — 5,500 ฿, that is 183 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿
Honda Click 160 (2022-24), 1–3 days — 350 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda Click 160 (2022-24), 3–6 days — 300 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda Click 160 (2022-24), 7–11 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda Click 160 (2022-24), 12–17 days — 220 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda Click 160 (2022-24), 18–23 days — 200 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda Click 160 (2022-24), one month — 3,500 ฿, that is 117 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿
Honda Forza 2020, 1–3 days — 650 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda Forza 2020, 3–6 days — 600 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda Forza 2020, 7–11 days — 500 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda Forza 2020, 12–17 days — 450 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda Forza 2020, 18–23 days — 400 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda Forza 2020, one month — 9,000 ฿, that is 300 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿
Yamaha XMAX 2020 300cc, 1–3 days — 650 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha XMAX 2020 300cc, 3–6 days — 600 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha XMAX 2020 300cc, 7–11 days — 500 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha XMAX 2020 300cc, 12–17 days — 450 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha XMAX 2020 300cc, 18–23 days — 400 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha XMAX 2020 300cc, one month — 9,000 ฿, that is 300 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿
Yamaha XMAX 2026 NEW, 1–3 days — 800 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha XMAX 2026 NEW, 3–6 days — 750 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha XMAX 2026 NEW, 7–11 days — 650 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha XMAX 2026 NEW, 12–17 days — 550 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha XMAX 2026 NEW, 18–23 days — 660 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Yamaha XMAX 2026 NEW, one month — 15,000 ฿, that is 500 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿
Honda ADV160 2026 NEW, 1–3 days — 500 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda ADV160 2026 NEW, 3–6 days — 450 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda ADV160 2026 NEW, 7–11 days — 400 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda ADV160 2026 NEW, 12–17 days — 350 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda ADV160 2026 NEW, 18–23 days — 330 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
Honda ADV160 2026 NEW, one month — 7,500 ฿, that is 250 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿

What is included in the scooter rental price?

Rider helmet and phone holder — 0 ฿ extra
Delivery inside the selected branch's local area — 0 ฿, even on a 1 day rental
Paperwork and handover — about 5 minutes
The rental day runs 13:00 to 13:00 — a full 24 hours
Deposit from 2,500 ฿ to 5,000 ฿ in cash, refunded in full on return
10 models to choose from — 150 ฿ to 800 ฿ a day
Monthly rental from 3,500 ฿ to 15,000 ฿, servicing included
Replacement scooter if something breaks — 0 ฿ extra, same terms

How quickly can you get an international driving permit?

In Russia the permit is issued in about 1 day and costs around 1 600 ₽ in 2026. Thailand accepts both IDP formats — the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention.

Where do police checkpoints usually stand in Phuket?

Most often in the morning near Patong, in Kamala and at the Chalong junctions. The fine without category A is 500 ฿ to 1,000 ฿, and riding without a helmet is up to 2,000 ฿.

How much is a scooter for a month in Phuket?

From 3,500 ฿ for a Yamaha Fino 125 — that is 117 ฿ a day — up to 15,000 ฿ for a Yamaha XMAX 2026. A Yamaha NMAX OLD is 5,100 ฿, a Honda PCX 160 and a Yamaha NMAX 155 are 5,500 ฿, a Honda ADV160 2026 is 7,500 ฿, a Honda Forza 2020 and a Yamaha XMAX 300 are 9,000 ฿.

Routine servicing and a replacement scooter if something breaks are included in the monthly price — 0 ฿ extra.

From how many days does the rental get cheaper?

The price drops in five steps: 1–3 days, 3–6 days, 7–11 days, 12–17 days and 18–23 days. A Yamaha Fino 125 costs 250 ฿ a day on a short rental and 150 ฿ a day from 18 days.

The lowest daily rate in the fleet is the Yamaha Fino 125 from 18 days: 150 ฿ a day. The Yamaha Grand Filano 125 costs 250 ฿ a day for 18–23 days against 300 ฿ on the first three days.

What is the deposit for a scooter in Phuket?

From 2,500 ฿ for city scooters up to 5,000 ฿ for the 2026 models. The amount is known in advance and refunded in full when you return the scooter. Cash only.

Do you keep my passport as a deposit?

No. We take a cash deposit of 2,500 ฿ to 5,000 ฿ only and never keep your passport — it stays with you for the whole rental.

Catalogue and prices — where to go next

These links lead into the catalogue and onto the model pages, where the price, the deposit and the photos of that exact scooter are:

APARTEL scooter catalogue — 10 models, 150 ฿ to 800 ฿ a day, deposit from 2,500 ฿
Honda Click 160 — 350 ฿/day, 200 ฿/day from 18 days, deposit 2,500 ฿, 3,500 ฿ a month
Honda PCX 160 — 400 ฿/day, 200 ฿/day from 18 days, deposit 4,000 ฿, 5,500 ฿ a month
Yamaha Fino 125 — 250 ฿/day, 150 ฿/day from 18 days, deposit 2,500 ฿, 3,500 ฿ a month
Monthly scooter rental — from 3,500 ฿ to 15,000 ฿, routine servicing included
All APARTEL guides — prices, documents, areas and routes around Phuket

Rent the right way — we'll walk you through it

We check your licence and IDP at handover, take a cash deposit with no passport held, and deliver the scooter to your villa or hotel free within the selected branch's local service area. Helmets and a rain poncho included. Not sure about your documents? Just ask us first.

See bikes & prices See the catalogue and prices Telegram WhatsApp

FAQ

Do you legally need a licence to rent a scooter in Thailand?

To ride legally, yes — you need category A (motorcycle) on your licence plus an International Driving Permit. Many rental shops will hand you a scooter without checking, but that is about their willingness to rent, not about the law. On the road you are still the one who is unlicensed.

Can you rent a scooter in Phuket without a licence?

In practice some shops will rent to anyone who leaves a deposit, so it is physically possible. But it is a bad idea: you risk checkpoint fines and, far worse, your insurance refusing to pay after an accident. Renting is easy; the consequences of riding unlicensed are not.

Do rental shops in Phuket check your licence?

It varies a lot. Cheap high-street shops often don't; responsible companies do, because an unlicensed rider is a liability for everyone. We check the licence and IDP at handover — not to make it hard, but because it is the only way the insurance actually protects you.

What documents do you need to rent a scooter in Phuket?

A driving licence with category A, an International Driving Permit, and a deposit. With us the deposit is cash and we do not hold your passport. Bring the originals or clear phone photos.

International Driving Permit in Thailand what it is · how to get one How to rent a scooter in Phuket deposit · handover · rain Scooter catalogue 8 models: from Click to XMAX 2026