Tookchip RentalsDocuments to Rent a Motorbike in Phuket: Licence & IDP 2026
By Tookchip Rentals · Updated: · 4 min read
Key takeaways
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| Documents to rent | Passport (a photo is fine) + motorcycle licence or IDP |
| Car licence | Not valid for riding a motorbike |
| Carry while riding | IDP + passport + original licence |
| Long stays | 1-year temporary Thai licence from the Department of Land Transport (non-tourist visa) |
| Helmets | Required for rider and passenger |
| Payment | At pickup, cash or credit card |
1. Documents you need at pickup
We only ask for two documents, so handover is quick — especially when we deliver the bike to your hotel or the airport.
- Passport: a photo of your passport's data page is enough. You don't have to leave the passport itself with us.
- Motorcycle driving licence from your home country, or an International Driving Permit (IDP) that shows the motorcycle category.
Besides documents, have cash or a credit card ready for the rent and the deposit, which you pay at pickup — no advance transfer needed. See the deposit for each model on our prices and terms page.
2. What to know about the International Driving Permit (IDP)
Thai embassies abroad state that visitors who drive a car or ride a motorcycle in Thailand must legally hold an International Driving Permit, and when an officer checks you, you must show the IDP together with your passport and your home-country driving licence.
Check these points before you travel:
- Your IDP must include the motorcycle category. If it only covers cars, you cannot use it to ride a motorbike.
- The IDP is used alongside your original licence, not instead of it — so always bring your original licence too.
- The IDP is issued by an authority in the country that issued your licence, so get it sorted before you leave.
3. I only have a car licence — can I rent a motorbike?
No. A car licence does not cover motorcycles, so we only accept a licence or IDP that includes the motorcycle category. If you are new to scooters and hold the right licence, start with a small, light, easy-to-ride model such as the Honda Scoopy 110 or the Honda Click 125.
4. Staying several months: a temporary Thai driving licence
For people staying in Thailand temporarily, Thai embassies state that you can apply for a 1-year temporary driving licence at the Department of Land Transport or a provincial land transport office. The main documents are:
Requirements can change, so check with the Department of Land Transport before you apply. In the meantime, if you want a bike for a whole month, see the monthly prices in our Phuket motorbike rental prices 2026 guide.
5. Helmets and the rules of the road
Thai traffic law requires both the rider and the passenger to wear a helmet. The maximum fine is ฿2,000, with strict enforcement since 1 June 2025. Every one of our bikes comes with two helmets.
- Keep left — Thailand drives on the left.
- Roads get slippery in the rainy season, especially on downhill stretches. If you're not used to them, choose a model with ABS such as the Honda PCX 160.
- Carry your documents every time you ride.
6. Checklist before pickup
- Photo of your passport + motorcycle licence or IDP, together with your original licence
- Cash or a credit card for the rent and the deposit
- Your hotel name or address — delivery is free on rentals of 3 days or more (see delivery details)
- Take photos all around the bike at pickup, so you and the shop have the same record of its condition
- Try on both helmets to make sure they fit
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to rent a motorbike in Phuket?
We ask for your passport (a photo of it is fine) and a motorcycle driving licence, or an International Driving Permit (IDP) that includes the motorcycle category.
Can I use a photo of my passport instead of the original?
Yes. We accept a photo of your passport for the rental agreement, but carry the original or a copy while you ride, because officers may ask to see your passport together with your licence.
Can I ride a motorbike with a car driving licence?
No. You need a motorcycle licence, or an International Driving Permit that includes the motorcycle category. A car licence on its own does not cover motorbikes.
What do I need to carry with an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
Thai embassies state that when you are checked, you must show your IDP together with your passport and the original driving licence from your home country, so carry all three.
I am staying in Phuket for several months. Do I need a Thai driving licence?
People staying in Thailand temporarily on a visa other than a tourist visa can apply for a 1-year temporary driving licence at the Department of Land Transport or a provincial land transport office. Check the latest requirements with the Department of Land Transport before applying.
What is the fine for not wearing a helmet?
Thai traffic law requires both the rider and the passenger to wear a helmet. The maximum fine is ฿2,000, with strict enforcement since 1 June 2025. Every bike comes with two helmets.
How do I pay the deposit?
The deposit is ฿2,000–฿8,000 depending on the model, paid at pickup in cash (Thai baht) or by credit card, and refunded in full when you return the bike.
What documents do Thai citizens need?
A valid motorcycle driving licence is required. For other ID documents in place of a passport, call the shop before pickup.
Sources
The legal information is summarised from the official sources below (checked October 2026). Official requirements can change — please confirm with the relevant authority before you travel.
- Driving in ThailandRoyal Thai Embassy, London
- Driving in ThailandRoyal Thai Embassy, The Hague
- กรมการขนส่งทางบก (Department of Land Transport)dlt.go.th
- Stricter enforcement of crash helmet requirement for motorcyclists (1 Jun 2025)Thai PBS World
How to book
Call us any day 09:00–20:00 with the model, dates and delivery address. No prepayment needed.
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