Renting a motorbike in Bali: what you need

Do you need a licence and an IDP?

Yes. Indonesian law requires foreign riders to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) endorsed for motorcycles, alongside your home-country driving licence. The IDP is a translation of your licence — arrange it in your home country before you travel, as it can’t be issued reliably once you’re here.

The old 30-day tourist licence once issued by Denpasar police was discontinued in 2025, so a motorcycle-endorsed IDP is now the only legal route for visitors. This matches the official travel guidance most visitors check before flying: the UK Government’s driving-abroad advice and the US State Department’s travel guidance both state that an IDP is required to drive or ride in Indonesia. Police run regular document checks around Canggu, Kerobokan and Ubud, and riding without the right paperwork risks on-the-spot fines and a void travel-insurance claim.

Where to get your IDP before you fly (2026)

IDPs are issued in your home country, by the authorised body only — not at the airport and not by the roadside “licence agents” in Bali. Issuers by country:

• United States: issued by the AAA and AATA — the State Department links both from its travel pages.
• United Kingdom: Post Office branches — listed on gov.uk/driving-abroad.
• Germany: the ADAC (also issues on the spot at some branches).
• Australia: motoring clubs such as NRMA and RACV.

Two things to check before you pay: the permit must be the 1949 Geneva convention format — the one Indonesia recognises (1968 Vienna permits are not valid here) — and it must list motorcycle class A. It must also accompany, never replace, your physical home licence. Both documents travel with you on every ride.

How old do you have to be?

You must be at least 18 to rent with us. The larger Kawasaki Z650 (650cc) is reserved for riders 21 and over with genuine big-bike experience — Bali’s roads are not the place to learn on a heavy machine.

Deposit — and why we never hold your passport

We take a fair, refundable cash deposit and hand your bike over against it. We never keep your passport as collateral, and you shouldn’t agree to that anywhere — your passport should stay with you at all times in Indonesia.

Insurance — and why you need your own

We don’t insure the bike, and we’ll always tell you so up front — most Bali shops don’t. We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance that covers motorbike riding before you arrive; most policies only pay out if you hold a valid home licence and a motorcycle-endorsed IDP. Every bike comes fully serviced with quality helmets and stays maintained throughout weekly and monthly rentals, your passport stays with you, and a fair refundable deposit holds the bike instead.

Is it safe to ride in Bali?

Bali’s roads are rewarding but demanding — narrow, busy and occasionally potholed, with unpredictable traffic. Ride within your experience: the WR155 and MT-25 suit confident riders, the Z650 is for experienced ones only. Wear proper gear, ease into the roads by daylight while you learn them, and check brakes, tyres and lights before each trip.