How to Ride a Scooter in Asia, Even If You’ve Never Been on One

Planning a trip to Asia and want to rent a scooter, but you’ve never been on one before? How do you start it? How do you accelerate? Does a scooter have gears? We’ve put together a simple guide on how to ride a scooter in Asia. Plus a warning that it’s really not a great idea.

A scooter is a convenient way to get around Asia, but also the most dangerous

In Thailand and other Asian countries, a scooter is the easiest way to get around if you plan to stay in one place for a while, but you should always keep in mind that it’s also the most dangerous way to travel.

Thailand ranks second in the world for road fatalities (right after Syria), and most of them happen on scooters. It’s really not a good idea to ride a scooter for the first time in Thailand, but if you’ve made up your mind, we know we can’t stop you. So at the very least, read this article carefully.

Driving in Asian countries comes with several differences that may catch you off guard. In most countries, people drive on the left, drivers often don’t give way to scooters, and other motorcyclists will frequently brush their handlebars against yours.

Before we get into the step-by-step guide on riding a scooter, here are a few tips for those of you who have never sat on one before.

Is it a good idea to ride a scooter for the first time in Asia?

Of course it isn’t. Traffic in Asia is absolute chaos, and if you’re not an experienced rider, you’re gambling with your life. The website Farang Deaths documents fatal accidents involving tourists in Thailand. And there are a shocking number of them.

On top of that, you now need a motorcycle licence (category A) — a standard car licence is no longer enough. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to get your motorcycle licence before you go. Also, make sure to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP), which you can easily obtain before your trip.

Tips for renting a scooter in Asia

• Learn to ride off the road first! Car parks, side streets, or an empty football pitch are ideal places to practise.
• ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET.
• Learn to ride slowly. Riding at higher speeds is actually much easier — the tricky part is going slow, where you need to pay much more attention to your balance.
• Rent NEW, lightweight scooters without a bulky engine (ideally 110cc). The newer the scooter, the safer it is.
• If you lose control at low speed, jump off and let the scooter drop. A scratched scooter is better than a broken leg.
• Don’t touch the exhaust pipe! Passengers in particular can easily get burned.
• Don’t go off paved roads.

Step-by-step guide on how to ride a scooter

1. Sit on the scooter. Keep both feet on the ground. If you’re on the shorter side, stand on at least one foot. This gives you stability.
2. Unlock the ignition using the other end of the key, insert the key and turn it to the ON position.
3. Kick up the kickstand with your left foot and grip the handlebars firmly with both hands.
4. To start the engine, squeeze both brakes (or at least the left one = rear brake) and press the starter button on the right handlebar (IGNITE / IGNITION). The scooter should start. If it only sputters, press the button again and give it a little throttle (twist the right handlebar grip forward), but keep holding the brake.
5. You’re ready to go! Slowly release the brakes and gently twist the throttle. You’ll feel the scooter start to move.
6. Once you feel yourself moving, lift your feet off the ground and place them on the scooter.
7. Turning is simple — just lean slightly in the direction you want to go. It’s exactly like riding a bicycle. At higher speeds, steer by leaning only; at lower speeds, also turn the handlebars.
8. When stopping, always use both brakes. The front brake is more effective but shifts all the weight forward, which can cause the scooter to jerk or skid. So always brake with both and never take your hands off the brakes!
9. Start carefully and ride slowly. We recommend a maximum of 30 km/h until you feel truly comfortable.

Now you know how to operate a scooter. But that’s only half of what you need to learn. What’s far more important is knowing how to stay safe and avoid accidents.

Tourists end up in hospitals every day. A friend of ours fell off a scooter in Thailand while riding slowly (in a bend), badly broke his leg, had to undergo multiple surgeries, and still hasn’t fully recovered.

Don’t take safety lightly! Here are some essential tips to help you avoid similar situations.

Scooter safety rules when riding in Asia

1. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET! Half the tourists you see on the road will be riding without a helmet. They think they’re 100% in control of the scooter. But they forget that an accident doesn’t have to be their fault. On top of that, you can easily get fined for riding without a helmet (around €5–8 in Thailand).
2. NEVER RIDE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. Riding a scooter to the beach, having a few beers, and heading back in the evening — sounds like a dream holiday, but 25% of all accidents in Thailand are caused by drunk drivers. If you plan on drinking, use Grab (Asia’s equivalent of Uber).
3. WEAR PROPER SHOES AND LONG TROUSERS. Flip-flops can slip off while riding, and if you’re not wearing long trousers, you’re asking for a “Farang Tattoo.” That’s what locals call the burns tourists get on their legs from the asphalt or exhaust pipe. Never dress like Lucie in the photo!
4. INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT. Even though no one will ask for your licence when renting, you’re legally required to have one. Moreover, a category B (car) licence is not enough — you need a category A (motorcycle) licence as well. If you can’t prove to your travel insurance provider that you were licensed to ride a scooter on the day of an accident, they won’t cover anything.
5. CHECK THE SCOOTER’S INSURANCE. Police checkpoints may ask you to prove the scooter is insured. Only rent from shops that insure their scooters, and ask them to show you where the insurance sticker is.
6. STORE BAGS IN THE UNDER-SEAT COMPARTMENT. Backpacks, handbags, and anything else you carry should be stowed in the storage compartment under the seat before riding. This helps you avoid problems like bag-snatching thieves, who are capable of robbing you while you’re moving — and causing you to crash in the process.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions