Is it safe to ride a scooter in Bali? An honest answer

By the alrity team in Kerobokan, Bali · Updated 1 Nov 2026

The short answer

It can be, if you already ride confidently, hold a licence that covers motorcycles, wear a helmet, and don't ride tired, after drinking or at night in heavy rain. Traffic is the biggest safety risk for visitors to Bali, and most travel insurance won't pay for a scooter accident if you weren't licensed. If you've never ridden a scooter, Bali isn't the place to learn: use Gojek, Grab or a driver.

Key facts

Traffic accidents are the biggest safety risk for visitors to Bali.
You need a licence that covers motorcycles: your home licence plus an International Driving Permit with category A, or an Indonesian SIM C.
Maximum fines under Indonesia's traffic law: Rp1,000,000 for riding without a licence, Rp250,000 for no helmet.
In April 2026 Bali's government presented a draft rule to stop foreign tourists renting motorbikes. It is not in force.

Who should ride, and who shouldn't

We deliver scooters to visitors every day from Kerobokan, and the riders who enjoy Bali most have one thing in common: they could already ride before they landed. The roads are busy, narrow and unpredictable, which is fine for a confident rider and stressful for a beginner.

Ride if you've ridden a scooter or motorbike at home, have a licence that covers it, and are relaxed in traffic.
Think twice if you'll carry a passenger for the first time, or plan long rides in the rainy season.
Don't ride if you've never ridden before, after drinking, or straight after a long flight. Gojek and Grab bike taxis are cheap and everywhere in the south.

What makes Bali's roads tricky

Traffic that flows around you. Scooters overtake on both sides and cars pull out without much warning. Ride predictably, keep left and use your mirrors.
Sand and gravel on corners near beaches and building sites, and potholes on small roads.
Rain. The wet season runs roughly from November to March. Afternoon downpours make roads slippery and flood low streets; wait them out if you can.
Night riding. Many small roads have no street lights, and dogs or offerings on the road are hard to see.
Steep hills on the Bukit around Uluwatu, around Ubud and in the mountains: go slowly downhill and use both brakes.
Bag snatching happens in busy areas: keep your phone in the holder and your bag in front of you or under the seat.

Licence, police checks and fines

Police in Bali regularly check riders in tourist areas such as Canggu, Seminyak and Ubud, and ask for your licence and the scooter's papers (STNK). The fines are set in Indonesia's traffic law, Law 22 of 2009:

Offence	Law 22/2009	Maximum penalty
Riding without a licence that covers motorcycles	Article 281	Rp1,000,000 or up to 4 months' detention
Not carrying the licence you have	Article 288(2)	Rp250,000 or up to 1 month
No SNI-approved helmet, rider or passenger	Article 291	Rp250,000 or up to 1 month

Your International Driving Permit must come from your home country before you travel; you can't get one in Bali. All the details are in our licence guide.

Insurance: the part people skip

Most travel insurance doesn't cover scooter accidents if you weren't licensed to ride, and some policies exclude scooters altogether. Rentals in Bali, ours included, usually come without insurance, so damage to the scooter is yours to pay. Read the motorbike section of your policy before you ride, and know our damage price list in advance.

Will tourists be banned from renting scooters?

Bali's governor has talked about stopping foreign tourists renting motorbikes since 2023. On 24 April 2026 the provincial government presented it to the regional parliament as part of a draft regulation on tourism businesses. As of this update it is still a draft with no start date, and riding a rented scooter with a valid licence is legal. We'll update this page as soon as that changes.

Ten habits that keep you safe

Wear the helmet, fastened, every time, and make your passenger wear one too.
Carry your licence and IDP; the scooter's papers stay under the seat.
Keep left, ride steadily and let faster riders pass.
Give a short tap on the horn before blind corners, like locals do.
Leave space in front: traffic stops suddenly.
Never ride after drinking. Book a Gojek or Grab instead.
Don't make your first ride at night or in heavy rain.
Ride longer trips in daylight and check the route before you go.
Keep your phone in the holder, not in your hand.
Save your rental's WhatsApp number for a flat tyre or a breakdown.

Video: Don't ride a motorbike in Bali without knowing this, by Lucy Travels (YouTube).

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Questions people ask

Is it safe to ride a scooter in Bali as a tourist?

For a confident rider with a valid licence and a helmet, mostly yes. Traffic is the main risk for visitors, so beginners should use Gojek, Grab or a driver rather than learn in Bali.

What happens if police stop me without a licence?

You can be fined up to Rp1,000,000 for riding without a licence that covers motorcycles (Article 281 of Indonesia's traffic law). Not carrying the licence you have can cost up to Rp250,000.

Do I need a helmet on a scooter in Bali?

Yes. Rider and passenger must both wear an SNI-approved helmet, and the fine is up to Rp250,000. alrity includes two helmets with every rental.

Are tourists banned from renting scooters in Bali?

Not as of November 2026. Bali's government presented a draft regulation in April 2026 that would stop foreign tourists renting motorbikes, but it has no start date and isn't in force.

Does travel insurance cover scooter accidents in Bali?

Often not if you weren't licensed to ride a motorcycle, and some policies exclude scooters entirely. Check the motorbike section of your policy before you ride.

Alrighty, let's ride.

Book a scooter

Sources

Facts checked 1 Nov 2026. Laws and prices change: tell us on WhatsApp if something here is out of date.