FAQ
Our answers to frequently asked questions
Before placing an order, read our answers to the most frequently asked questions, we are sure that this will help you figure it out!
To rent a bike is not required…
But, Yes, you need an international driving permit (IDP) in Thailand to drive legally as a tourist, especially if your license is not in English or Thai
Phuket has periodic police checkpoints which check to see if you have an international motorbike driver license or permit. They are also checking for any drugs, drunk drivers, or any other illicit substances. If you do not have an international driver permit/license in your posession, you will get a fine ranging from 500 to 1,000 baht depending on your negotiation skills.
A license from any ASEAN Country is also accepted in Thailand
(Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam)
It is recommended you obtain an International Driving Permit in your home country prior to your trip. They are valid for 3 years and costs anywhere from 2,000 to 3,000 baht. So if you don’t have one and have pay a fine, if it is less then that amount, you come out ahead.
It is also the law to wear a helmet for driver and passenger.
YES. We are the the only company in Phuket that offers Optional Motorbike Rental Damage Insurance… Renter is only responsible for deductible.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
All of our motorcycles come with medical insurance free of charge. It covers all road accident victims, including the drivers, passengers, and third parties and covers bodily injury, health harm, and death. It does not cover property damage. Our included insurance is quite basic and will not cover the whole cost of treatment in the case of serious injuries. (Unless you purchase additional Rental Damage Insurance)
Compulsory Motor Insurance covers all road victims affected by traffic accident. It covers against damage to life, body and health which is the liability of the driver of the insured vehicle. The victim(s) will receive compensation from the insurer. For the driver of the insured vehicle will only receive the preliminary compensation according to the insurance policy conditions as follows: Medical expenses in case of injury, not exceeding 30,000 Baht In case of death or permanent disability or loss of organs, 35,000 Baht Both cases combined, not exceeding 65,000 Baht.
We are the the only company in Phuket that offers Optional Motorbike Rental Damage Insurance… Renter is only responsible for deductible.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
All of our motorcycles come with medical insurance free of charge. It covers all road accident victims, including the drivers, passengers, and third parties and covers bodily injury, health harm, and death. It does not cover property damage. Our included insurance is quite basic and will not cover the whole cost of treatment in the case of serious injuries. (Unless you purchase additional Rental Damage Insurance)
All bikes are delivered to you in good technical condition and are checked over with you before you take it off the lot. It is your responsibility to return the bike in the same condition as it was delivered to you.
In the case of damage, repair costs are very inexpensive, but you will be asked to reimburse us for any damage caused to the vehicle while in your care. We never charge you any more than is necessary for any damage incurred.
Our motorbikes come with health insurance for drivers, passengers, and third parties in the event of an accident. However, we are often met with questions about property damage insurance. We highly recommend buying proper travel insurance in your home country. Please make sure that it covers you in the event of a road accident. However, if you don’t have a valid license in the country where the accident happened, you are riding illegally will not be covered by your travel insurance—that riding without a helmet and riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
We do NOT require you to leave passport. For scooter or motorbike rental, you must leave only 3,000 to 10,000 Thai Baht Deposit OR Passport… UP TO YOU
500cc Motorcycle Rentals will require you to leave passport as deposit or the full value of motorcycle.
But if damage to bike is more than your deposit, you WILL be held responsible for damage to repair or replace motorbike.
Good news is that motorbikes in Thailand are relativelty cheap to repair or replace…
NO… If you leave Phuket, you will be fined 5,000 Baht per Day…. Our bikes have GPS Tracking and we are notified if you exit the island.
Big Motorcycles can leave Phuket with authorization from company.
Thailand law requires you to wear a helmet. If you are stopped at a check point and don’t have a helmet, you will be fined. Thailand is a dangerous country to ride motorbikes, and helmets save lives. Don’t wind up with your brain on the roads
Do NOT park your bike where you see RED & WHITE on the sidewalks.
You will get your bike chained up by police and have to pay a fine.
The Checkpoints in Phuket: How to Behave
Checkpoints are regular police checks that are deployed at fixed locations. Checkpoints usually have several police officers. Keep calm during the controls and do not make any fuss. Thai police officers are usually friendly and forgiving, but they do not tolerate aggressive behavior.
Checkpoints also happen at night. The police check the sobriety of drivers and can search you for drugs. Remember that the e-cigarettes popular in the West are illegal here and treated like a drug.
Thailand Traffic fines in 2022
If you are caught driving without an IDP, a ticket will be issued on the spot, and it must be paid in cash at the nearest police station. After paying the fine, you will have a 24-hour grace period, which means that you will not get a second ticket for driving without an IDP within the next 24 hours. Of course, this grace period does not apply to those caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For this offense, the penalty is 20,000 baht and the threat of imprisonment.
Here is the updated tariff for some offenses:
Speak Thai or Pretend You Cannot?
If you know even a few words in Thai, it can slightly affect the police officer’s decision and ease the punishment. Pretending that you do not understand a word in Thai or English and that you do not know why you’re getting a ticket does not work.
Final Thoughts
Driving a scooter is a very convenient and fast means of transport in Thailand. It is a pleasure and gives you the freedom to travel around the island without restrictions. However, to avoid unnecessary costs and stress during a run-in with the police, it is worth learning about local laws and regulations.
Contact me on Whats App and I will answer all of them… 🙂