What You Need to Rent a Scooter in Phuket — Documents & Conditions 2026

Updated: July 2026 · 4 min read · APARTEL Rental

To rent a scooter in Phuket at APARTEL you need exactly two things: your passport (to show — it is not held) and a cash deposit of 2,500–5,000 ฿. That's it. The paperwork takes 5–10 minutes, and we deliver the bike to your hotel for free along the west coast. Riding legally is a separate question — that takes a category A license and an IDP. Here is what is needed for what.

Table: what you need and why

1. For the paperwork: passport and deposit

We check your passport details and hand the document straight back — we never hold it as a deposit. The deposit is cash; the amount depends on the bike class (less for a city scooter, more for a maxi scooter) and is fixed in writing before handover. Return the bike in its original condition and the deposit comes back in full.

2. For legal riding: category A + IDP

Under Thai law, riding a scooter requires a category A (motorcycle) license plus an International Driving Permit. In practice:

• No category A or no IDP at a checkpoint — a fine from 500 ฿.
• The real risk is not the fine: after an accident, no insurance pays out without the correct license.
• An IDP is issued in your home country before the trip — you cannot get one in Phuket.

Full breakdown with checkpoint locations — in the guide license and fines for riders in Thailand, and the details on permits in the IDP guide.

3. How much money to bring

On numbers from the 2026 price list:

• Yamaha Fino for a week: 7 × 250 ฿ = 1,750 ฿ + a deposit of about 2,500 ฿. Roughly 4,300 ฿ gets you started, and the deposit comes back.
• Honda PCX 160 for a month: 5,500 ฿ + deposit. For long stays the monthly rate is the best value — see monthly rental.

4. How handover works

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