You need an IDP — and a proper one

Your UK driving licence is not valid on its own for a motorbike in Thailand. You need an International Driving Permit (1949 version) with a motorcycle entitlement (category A or A1).

You can't get an IDP online — it has to be issued in person at a UK Post Office that offers the service. £5.50, issued same day over the counter. Bring your current licence and a passport-style photo.

Two important traps: your UK car licence alone doesn't include a motorcycle entitlement, so make sure you actually hold a bike category. And make sure the Post Office issues the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP— Thailand doesn't recognise the 1968 Vienna version.

Your travel insurance probably doesn't cover you

Most UK travel insurance policies (Aviva, Admiral, Direct Line, Post Office Travel) exclude motorbike riding by default. Check the wording — look for phrases like "hazardous activities" or "motor scooters over 125cc". You usually need to add a motorbike rider, and it requires a valid IDP to pay out.

Specialist providers that cover scooter rental properly: True Traveller, Staysure (Adventure upgrade), World Nomads. Budget an extra £15–30 on top of your standard policy.

Deposits and passports

Never hand over your passport as a deposit. It's illegal under Thai law but widely practised, and it's the root of most rental scams. Skoot holds deposits in escrow and verifies ID digitally. Full details in our deposit guide.

Which scooter?

Most UK travellers end up on a Honda Click 125— plenty for island loops, easy for anyone who's ridden a twist-and-go before. If you've done a UK CBT and have the confidence, a Yamaha NMAX 155 or PCX 160 is a much more comfortable day out.

Phuket, or elsewhere?

Phuket alone accounts for about 80% of Skoot rentals — it's the default British package-holiday destination. If you're the kind of traveller who goes further, we also cover Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Krabi, Pattaya and Bangkok.