Bali motorcyles: Major changes coming for Aussies renting mopeds and motorbikes

For Aussies travelling to Bali, the idea of cruising to the beach on a moped or motorbike is unanimous with the laidback vibe of the island, but that all may be about to change as authorities crackdown on tourist motorists.

Senior Commissioner Turmudi appealed to foreign nationals who aren’t skilled at using motorized vehicles, especially two-wheeled vehicles, advising them not to drive motorbikes alone.

“If you rent a vehicle, there must be a motorist to protect foreign nationals and our citizens who own rental vehicles to prevent problems,” Mr Turmudi said, according to The Bali Sun.

The appeal comes after a huge amount of traffic collisions involving foreigners. In 2024, the Bali Regional Police recorded 142 major collisions involving tourists and there’s likely to be many more that were unrecorded.

While the 2024 collisions were a 35 per cent decrease on the 2023 collisions, Bali Authorities will be cracking down on tourists renting motorcycles and mopeds in the coming months.

The Bali Sun reported that Aussies will undergo stronger checks when renting motor vehicles. Motorcycle rental outlets are ensuring that tourists provide a copy of their international driving licence, in addition to their passport, and that international licence will be checked carefully.

It is a legal requirement for any driver in Bali to have an international driver’s license that covers the exact vehicle that they are driving. While many Aussies assume that their car driving licence allows them to drive a motorcycle, it’s not always the case.

Many car driving licences automatically permit a driver to drive a 50cc moped, but almost all mopeds in Bali are at least 125cc.

Motorcycle rental outlets may also start asking renters to prove that they can drive safely before the rental agreement is signed — meaning rental staff may inspect the driving of motorists around the block or in a car park.

The crackdown follows worsening traffic caused by an increase in cars, motorcycles and mopeds on the island, especially in popular areas like Seminyak and Canggu.

Bali Authorities are bracing for the Christmas and New Year period where the rainy season coincides with thousands of tourists descending on the island.

The Badung Regency is likely to be worst affected, home to tourist hotspots like Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, and Uluwatu, and where the number of motorized vehicles is nearly twice the population.