Scooter licence & fines in Thailand: an honest breakdown

Updated: July 2026 · 6 min read · APARTEL Rental

A rider on a Phuket road wearing a helmet — scooter licence and fines in Thailand

We hand out scooters to tourists every day and hear the same question: "do I really need a licence, I've already got my home one?" We'll answer straight, with no reassuring half-truths: yes, you do — and here's exactly what happens if you don't have one, from a roadside fine to your insurer refusing to pay after an accident.

1. What licence you actually need

To ride a scooter of any engine size in Thailand you need category A (motorcycle) on your licence plus an International Driving Permit (IDP). These are two different documents, and you need both:

An ordinary category B licence (car only) does not cover scooters and motorcycles — even if you have 10 years of driving experience behind the wheel of a car.
A national licence without an IDP is formally not valid in Thailand at all, regardless of category.
An IDP is a translation of your licence into several languages to an international standard — not a separate exam.

2. How to arrange an IDP in advance — it's quick

Pre-departure checklist

Make sure category A is open on your national licence. If not, open the category first — that's a separate procedure at your driving authority back home.
Apply for an International Driving Permit online or directly at your local licensing office.
The permit is usually issued within a day, at a modest fee (check the current rate for your country).
Take both documents on the trip — your national licence and the IDP, originals or clear photos on your phone.

If you're already on the island and haven't arranged an IDP, you can't get one here as a tourist — the document is only issued in the country that issued your licence. In that case, weigh the risks soberly and ride as carefully as possible, or take a car/taxi instead of a scooter.

3. Checkpoint fines — how much and for what

Offence	Fine
No helmet (rider or passenger)	500–1000 ฿
No category A licence or no IDP	from 500 ฿
Drink-driving (from 0.5‰)	serious, up to detention
Speeding	on a separate scale, on the spot
Using your phone while riding	fine at the checkpoint's discretion

The fine is paid on the spot with a ticket or at the station — the process is quick, and there's no point arguing with the police: smile, show your documents, pay. At night the main risk isn't the police but drunk drivers on the road — after 22:00 ride twice as carefully.

4. Where checkpoints most often stand

Checkpoints are a normal part of island life — you don't need to go looking for them, but don't be surprised to meet one either. They most often stand in the morning (8:00–10:00) at major junctions: the exit from Patong towards Karon, the road to Kamala, the crossroads by Central Phuket. Keep your licence and IDP on you — the originals or good photos — and there won't be a problem.

5. What you really lose without a licence in an accident

A 500 ฿ fine isn't the main problem. The main one is that no insurance works without the right licence:

The scooter's insurance (which the rental company is legally required to hold) covers harm to third parties, but it does not protect a rider without category A and an IDP from their own costs.
Your travel medical insurance almost always contains an exclusion clause: "riding a motorbike without the appropriate licence is not covered." Check the wording in your own policy before the trip.
In practice this means: treatment in a private hospital (and on Phuket the good hospitals are mostly private) is on you, and the sums there run into hundreds of thousands of baht, not a 500 fine.

In short. Category A + IDP isn't a box-ticking formality — it's the only thing standing between you and paying entirely out of your own pocket for treatment after a fall. The only thing more expensive than a licence in this story is not having one.

6. Map: where we hand out scooters and where to ride

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 500–1,000 ฿
Drink-driving counts from 0.5 ‰
An IDP takes about 1 day to issue and costs around 1 600 ₽ in 2026
Thailand recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention permit
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

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 recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention permit.

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 also 500–1,000 ฿.

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.

Do you deliver the scooter to the hotel, and what does it cost?

Yes — delivery to a hotel or villa inside the selected branch's local area is 0 ฿, even on a 1 day rental. Other areas of Phuket are by arrangement.

How do I book a scooter?

Message us on Telegram @apartel1 or on WhatsApp with the model, your hotel and the rental length — we reply with the exact price and availability. Handover takes about 5 minutes.

We take no online prepayment. You pay for the whole rental at handover, together with the deposit.

Which scooter fits a small budget, and which one is the premium choice?

We work like a scooter supermarket: 10 models from 150 ฿ to 800 ฿ a day. The budget end is the Yamaha Grand Filano 125 from 150 ฿ a day and the Yamaha Fino 125 from 150 ฿ a day on a long rental.

The premium end is the Yamaha XMAX 2026 from 500 ฿ a day and the Honda ADV160 2026 from 300 ฿ a day on a long rental. There is a model for every wallet.

What happens if the scooter breaks down?

Message us and we bring a replacement on the same terms — 0 ฿ extra. Routine servicing is included in every monthly 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:

Scooter rental in Bang Tao — delivery to Bang Tao and Laguna villas
Scooter rental in Patong — delivery to Patong hotels
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 NMAX 155 — 400 ฿/day, 200 ฿/day from 18 days, deposit 3,500 ฿, 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

We only hand out scooters after checking the licence — fair on both sides

Category A + IDP, a cash deposit with no passport held, helmets and a rain poncho as a gift. We'll deliver the scooter to your villa free across the northwest of the island.

See the catalogue and prices Message on Telegram WhatsApp Call

How to rent a scooter in Phuket deposit, handover, rain, insurance Phuket in one day by scooter a ready west-coast route Scooter catalogue 8 models: from Click to XMAX 2026