Vehicle rental in Thailand: scooters and cars

Laws and regulations to know

Renting a vehicle during your holiday in Thailand means freedom, the possibility to go anywhere and get off the beaten track, but it can also turn into a nightmare, especially on a scooter. Here is a detailed guide to renting scooters, motorbikes and cars in Thailand, with all the practical information, laws and regulations you need to know, and tips for a smooth experience. This article is only for tourists, not for expats.

Driving on the left

Thailand follows the British system of driving on the left. Be vigilant, especially at intersections and roundabouts.

International Driving Permit required

To rent and, above all, drive a vehicle in Thailand, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your national driving licence. For a motorbike or scooter (whatever the engine size), you must hold a motorcycle licence in your home country, and it must be shown on your international permit. So make sure your IDP is valid and covers the vehicle categories you want to drive in Thailand. If you plan to get around on a rental scooter, I recommend reading my article on renting and riding a scooter in Thailand (in French).

Without an international permit or the right licence category, you also lose your insurance cover. Note that riding a scooter in Thailand is often excluded from travel insurance policies.

Helmets and seatbelts required

Wearing a helmet is mandatory for scooter and motorbike riders and passengers – and highly recommended given the high accident rate of two-wheelers on the roads of Siam! Fines for not wearing one are common, especially in tourist areas, and there are sometimes police checkpoints dedicated to scooters and motorbikes.

In cars, seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers, and the fine is up to 2,000 THB. There is also a law, although rarely enforced, requiring children under 135 cm to sit in a child seat.

Drinking and driving in Thailand

In Thailand, the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% (or 0.02% for professional drivers and young drivers). Thailand strictly enforces this rule, and police checks are frequent, especially during the two major holiday weekends: New Year's Eve and Songkran in mid-April.

Speed limits in Thailand

Speed limits vary depending on the area: 50-60 km/h in towns, 80-90 km/h on secondary roads and 100-110 km/h on highways, depending on the type of road. These limits apply to private cars.

Scooter rental in Thailand

There are scooter rental shops almost everywhere in the touristy areas of Thailand, and since it is cheap, it is tempting to rent one. Far too many tourists do so without ever (or hardly ever) having ridden a scooter before. Unfortunately, many accidents – sometimes tragic – happen. Don't take scooter rental lightly!

Required documents

To rent a scooter in Thailand, you will need your passport and your international driving permit (with category “A” whatever the engine size – not A1 – to be legal). The rental shop will probably ask for a cash deposit. Some may ask to keep your passport as a guarantee, but this is illegal: making a photocopy is normal, keeping it as collateral is not!

A rental contract should be drawn up between you and the rental shop (this is not always the case, so ask for one, in English!), and you should receive a copy.

Cost of scooter rental in Thailand

The cost of renting a scooter in Thailand varies a lot depending on the place but, on average, a basic model costs between 150 and 300 THB per day, more for a T-Max or more powerful models. Discounts are often offered for longer rentals.

Insurance

Make sure the scooter is insured for damage to the vehicle and for damage caused to third parties. If possible, check that the insurance also covers the rider (although this is very rare in Thailand). As mentioned above, riding a scooter may be excluded from your own travel insurance, so if the rental shop's insurance doesn't cover you, all costs in the event of an accident will be yours – and medical and hospital bills in Thailand can be very high.

A few tips before renting a scooter

• Inspect the scooter before signing the rental contract and take photos and videos. Scams have been reported, especially in Phuket and Pattaya (the same goes for jet-ski rentals, although that is not the subject of this article).
• Always wear a helmet and suitable clothing, even when it is hot: they will protect you in case of an accident.
• Avoid riding at night or in the rain.
• Never ride more than two on a scooter, even if Thais do.
• But ultimately, given the number of deaths on two wheels on Thai roads, avoid renting a scooter and rent a car instead! It is less dangerous, less complicated in terms of paperwork (international permit) and insurance is generally much better (and at least it exists, whereas many small rental shops don't insure their scooters, or only minimally).

Car rental in Thailand

I know I keep insisting, but if you want the freedom to get around as you like during your trip to Thailand, rent a car instead. You will be much better protected and insured, especially with international rental companies.

Documents required to rent a car

To rent a car, you will need your passport, your international driving permit and a credit card for the deposit (some rental companies do not accept debit cards).

A contract is signed between the two parties; these are much more comprehensive than scooter rental contracts.

How to rent a car in Thailand

Renting a car in Thailand costs between 800 and 1,500 THB per day, depending on the type of vehicle, the time of year and the company.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, I recommend the major international rental companies such as Avis, Sixt, Hertz and others, which you will find in all major cities, at least at the airports. But the most convenient way – which relies on these same international companies – is to use Booking.com car rental. It lets you book your vehicle in advance, often at a better price, and on some routes pick up the car in one city and drop it off in another.

Insurance

With international rental companies or Booking.com car rental, everything is taken care of. Otherwise, make sure the car is properly insured: basic insurance is usually included, but comprehensive cover is highly recommended for peace of mind.

Practical tips for car rental

• Inspect the car before driving off and note any existing damage on the contract.
• Get familiar with local driving habits before venturing onto the roads of Siam: it's not just about driving on the left, but also about different habits you will need to adapt to.
• Drive carefully, especially on country roads where stray dogs are common.
• Watch out for two-wheelers: they can appear from anywhere, even against the traffic.