Renting a scooter or motorbike in Thailand and common mistakes
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If you've ever been to Thailand or seen photos, you've probably noticed that scooters are everywhere, no matter where you look or where you are. That is not without reason. For many tourists visiting Thailand, renting a scooter almost becomes part of the whole experience. But why is that so?
Well, first of all, it's incredibly convenient. Imagine you are in a new, exciting city. You want to see everything, but it's too far to walk and in a car you're stuck in traffic. With a scooter, tourists can easily zoom through the streets, find a parking spot almost anywhere and avoid the frustration of traffic jams. Then there is freedom. With a scooter you can go where you want, without being dependent on bus or train times. Do you see an interesting trail or a beautiful beach? On a scooter you can spontaneously decide to stop and explore.
It's also fun and gives a sense of adventure. There is something exciting about riding a scooter in an exotic country. The breeze you feel as you drive past palm trees and markets, the smells and sounds of Thailand that are much more intense than when you are in a car. From a financial point of view, renting a scooter is attractive. It is often much cheaper than renting a car or paying for taxis, especially in Thailand where costs are low. So for travelers who are watching their budget, this is a great option.
In short, renting a scooter in Thailand is popular because it is a simple, affordable, and super fun way to explore the country. It gives tourists the freedom to explore and enjoy their adventure in a way that cannot be compared to any other mode of transportation.
All in good fun, right? Well there is a big 'but' when it comes to renting a scooter.
Riding a scooter or motorbike in Thailand is very dangerous!
Driving a motor vehicle (car, motorcycle or scooter) is extremely dangerous in Thailand. Thousands of traffic fatalities occur in Thailand every year. Many foreign tourists and expats are also victims. The risk of a fatal accident is many times greater than in the Netherlands. The traffic risks in Thailand are very high compared to other countries.
According to Thai RSC At least 2022 foreign travelers died in a traffic accident in Thailand in 550, including 3 Dutch people. In addition, 7.900 foreigners were (seriously) injured, including 50 Dutch people. Accidents mainly occur with motorcycles and scooters (76% of all accidents). Read more about the number of traffic accidents in Thailand on the website Accident Data Center of Thailand.
You don't rent a moped but a motorcycle!
In Thailand there is no moped or moped of 49,9 cc. Almost all scooters and motorbikes in Thailand have an engine capacity of more than 100 cc (often 125 cc). Without a valid Belgian or Dutch motorcycle license (at least the A1 license) you can be fined or arrested. In the event of a serious accident, your insurance company will not cover the costs, including high medical costs, because you have not complied with the law (read the policy conditions). For example, I remember a case of a young Englishman who had to cough up tens of thousands of euros after renting a scooter without a driver's license and having a fall (no helmet). He fell into a coma and had to spend a long time in intensive care. His parents eventually had to sell their house to pay the hospital bill.
In Thailand an 'International Driving License' is mandatory!
Even if you do have a Belgian or Dutch driver's license, an 'International Driving License' is mandatory in Thailand. The police regularly check whether you have an 'International Driving License'. If you are involved in an accident, the lack of this document can lead to annoying and far-reaching problems.
Renting a scooter or motorbike in Thailand and common mistakes
After some comments about life-threatening traffic, a mandatory motorcycle license and the mandatory International Driving License. An overview of common mistakes when renting a scooter. We then assume that you meet all legal requirements:
- Rent from the first available landlord: Always rent from a rental company that is well known. Ask local advice about this, for example at your hotel.
- Failure to check the vehicle: Make sure you check the scooter for any defects before renting it. Take a test drive and check the brakes and lights.
- Don't take pictures: Photograph the scooter, including any existing damage, before taking it with you. This can be useful in discussions about damage when returning the vehicle.
- Not having the correct driver's license: A moped license is not sufficient. You need at least the A1 driving license. If you cause a serious accident without a valid driver's license, your holiday will end in a Thai cell, which is less comfortable than in Belgium or the Netherlands.
- Do not have an 'International Driving License': In Thailand, an 'International Driving Permit' is required in addition to your normal driver's license. Without this document you may encounter problems in the event of accidents or inspections.
- Not aware that your rental scooter is not insured: Almost all rental scooters are not insured or insufficiently insured, and certainly not fully insured. This means that you have to pay for all damage yourself, even if it is not your fault. Is your rental scooter a total loss? Take out your wallet and make sure you get around 2.200 euros out of it!
- Thinking that your travel insurance will cover damage to your rental vehicle: Travel insurance never covers damage to vehicles, not even to rented vehicles, never and never.
- Surrender your passport: Never give your passport or driver's license as collateral to the landlord. Instead, give the landlord a copy of your passport. If he is not satisfied with that, find another landlord.
- Not taking into account the unwritten traffic rules in Thailand: Realize that there are different (unwritten) traffic rules in Thailand than in the Netherlands.
- Riding without a helmet or suitable clothing: Driving in shorts and flip-flops increases the risk of serious injuries in the event of an accident. Always provide suitable protection and always wear a helmet, unless you have nothing in mind that requires protection.
- Using drugs or alcohol: Do not drive if you have drunk alcohol or used soft drugs.
- Driving in the dark: Do not drive after sunset. The risk of accidents can increase in the evenings, especially due to intoxicated drivers.
- Ignore street dogs crossing the road and pull the front brake in fear: And then in many cases you go down. You usually get very nasty abrasions that are just as painful as burns. And that will continue to bother you for a long time.
- Do not negotiate the rental price: Negotiate the rental price, especially if you rent the scooter for several days or weeks. This can result in significant savings.
- Not being aware of possible deception and fraud in rentals: Be alert for scams when renting scooters, especially in tourist areas such as Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Pattaya. The landlord may ask for your passport or driver's license as a deposit. But be careful: when you return them, there may suddenly be 'damage', and they want you to pay a lot before you get your documents back. Therefore, never leave your passport or driver's license behind. A copy is sufficient. Thai law does not allow landlords to confiscate these documents. Is the landlord not cooperating? Then find another one. Always take photos of the rented vehicle, from all sides, before taking it with you. This reduces the chance that you will be accused of existing damage. And beware: scooters are sometimes stolen. Often the scooter is poorly or not insured or the rental company is involved in the theft, after which they try to make you pay the new price. Threats may even be involved. So, always keep a close eye on your rented scooter. Always use an extra lock that you have purchased yourself.
- Arguing after an accident: Are you involved in an accident? Always wait for the police. Stay calm and polite. Thais can explode, especially if you behave aggressively. With aggressive behavior you risk (firearm) violence.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can enjoy your scooter adventures in Thailand more safely. Remember to always respect local traffic rules and laws and always be alert on the road.
Driving in the dark? You quickly learn that road repairs go unreported. A hole, you don't put a light next to it, but you stick a branch of a tree in it and that's it...
Unfortunately I have that experience; There was a fence around it, but one light was too much. And presto, there looms a fence just a few meters in front of you... Abrasions, luckily no more misery, but you're terrified...
And then the hardware store you find on the street. What I didn't experience was flat tires, both on the bike and on the moped! I always had extra inner tubes with me because the large size of my bicycle tires was not in stock everywhere, and I don't ride with taped tires on my moped anyway.
But, and that's the great thing about Thailand, if you have a flat in the village, afterwards everyone will go out of their way to help you. Your vehicle is lifted into a pickup and they take you to a local repair shop. They drop everything and help you first and then they ask 20 baht. If you pay with 100, they will send someone away to exchange... People often don't even have that much money at home and 'never mind', well you have to insist on that. Look, that's also Thailand.
My husband has been driving in Thailand for years and he goes by car after dark.
Even then it is very dangerous, half of the road users drive without lights.
This usually happens between 18.00:20.00 PM and XNUMX:XNUMX PM.
When most people return home from work.
We have never experienced flat tires, every kilo of iron yields baths and they are desperately needed here, so they do not leave old iron lying around on the streets.
There are plenty of holes in the roads around the villages.
My advice is, rent a car and not a scooter or motorcycle and you are in a country where you often have to walk many meters to see anything.
Enjoy life and be careful.
Fatal accidents are an everyday occurrence here
Sometimes you can also rent a scooter at the hotel where you are staying. I have good experiences with that.
You will then know better what kind of people you are dealing with. For them it is just an extra service that is also carried out neatly.
If you get your motorcycle/scooter driver's license as an expat in Thailand, you meet the requirements.
Tukker, what exactly do you mean by your question? As an emigrant, not an expat, I got my motorcycle license in Thailand and then you get the piece of plastic and you can drive with it. What requirements do you mean?
Indeed, people drive like crazy and not just the Thais, you should see some farangs driving, bare-chested, no helmet, flip-flops on, some even look for it themselves. It is indeed very dangerous, I was almost run off the road by a car, I honked the horn, and it immediately became aggressive, they have a short fuse in that area, those Thais, and it is best to avoid arguments there because it is 1 against all there.
In Thailand it is especially important to be triple careful in traffic and to anticipate a lot. Always make sure your paperwork and lighting are in order and wear a helmet.
I have a fairly powerful Honda PCX and it is fine for driving in traffic.
Fortunately, snow and icy conditions are a less common cause of an accident.
According to my information, motorcycles/scooters cannot be insured all risk in Thailand.
The maximum is good third party insurance and cover against theft of new scooters during the first 2 years after purchase.
So there does not have to be any reluctance/thriftiness on the part of the landlord.