No. A child travelling as a passenger is not the driver and therefore does not need a driving licence.

The licensing requirement applies to the person operating the scooter. If you are renting a scooter in Bali, make sure you have the appropriate valid driving licence before riding.

Is It Safe for a Child to Ride on a Scooter?

A child passenger faces more physical risk on a scooter than in a properly equipped car because there is much less protection around the occupants.

Sudden braking, acceleration, uneven roads, wet surfaces, collisions, or a loss of balance can cause a passenger to fall.

Children can also have more difficulty maintaining their position when the scooter changes speed or direction.

Helmet use is particularly important.

These figures do not mean that carrying a child is automatically unsafe. They show why age, seating position, speed, helmet use, and riding conditions all matter.

What Age Can a Child Ride as a Scooter Passenger in Bali?

There is no specific minimum age for a child to ride as a passenger on a scooter under Indonesia's national traffic law.

The legal minimum age of 17 applies to obtaining a motorcycle driving licence, such as a SIM C, meaning it applies to the person riding the scooter, not a child travelling as a passenger.

However, this does not mean that every child is suitable to ride as a scooter passenger. For safety, physical readiness is more important than age alone.

Can a Young Child Ride on a Scooter in Bali?

Before taking a child on a scooter, consider whether they can physically and mentally behave like a passenger.

The child should be able to:

• Sit securely on the passenger seat without standing or kneeling.
• Reach both passenger footrests comfortably.
• Hold onto the rider securely or use designated passenger handholds.
• Understand simple instructions such as staying seated and keeping their feet on the footrests.
• Remain alert throughout the journey.
• Follow the rider's movements without making sudden movements.

If a child is too small to reach the footrests, cannot maintain a stable seated position, or cannot understand basic passenger instructions, they should not be carried on a scooter, regardless of their age.

Does Being 17 or 18 Mean a Person Can Ride a Scooter in Bali?

This is a different question.

In Indonesia, 17 is the minimum age to obtain a SIM C, the driving licence category used for motorcycles.

A person who wants to operate a scooter must also meet the applicable licence and traffic requirements.

The commonly used rental age of 18 or older is a separate matter determined by individual rental providers and their terms.

Therefore, these two situations should not be confused:

• Child passenger: There is no specific minimum passenger age stated in Indonesia's national traffic law, but the child must be physically capable of travelling safely.
• Scooter rider: The rider must meet the applicable driving-licence requirements, including the minimum age for a SIM C.

So, if you are travelling in Bali with a child, the more useful question is not simply “How old does my child need to be?”

Instead, ask whether your child is tall and physically capable enough to sit securely, reach the footrests, hold on properly, and follow passenger instructions for the entire journey.

Where Should a Child Sit on a Scooter?

A child should sit behind the rider, not in front of them.

The front area of a scooter is not an appropriate passenger position. A child sitting there can interfere with the rider's ability to control the handlebars and respond to traffic.

Research into child scooter passengers also found that children seated in front of the rider had significantly higher odds of head or face injuries compared with those seated behind the rider.

The recommended passenger position is therefore:

• Sit directly behind the rider.
• Keep both feet on the passenger footrests.
• Hold the rider securely or use designated handholds.
• Remain seated throughout the journey.
• Move with the rider rather than suddenly leaning in another direction.

What Safety Gear Does a Child Need?

Here are safety gears for child you should pay attention to if you want to bring a child on motorbike:

1. A Properly Fitted Helmet

A child passenger should have a properly fitted, appropriate helmet.

Avoid assuming that an adult helmet is suitable simply because it can be fastened. A helmet that is too large may not provide the intended level of protection.

At Cinchy, you can request a kids' helmet for free with your scooter rental.

If you prefer your child to have a brand-new helmet, you can add “Brand New Kids Helmet 🧒 - Be the First to Use” for IDR 90,000 during booking.

If you want to know about a kids helmet in Cinchy, you ask our admin here.

2. Protective Clothing

For a child passenger, consider:

• Long trousers
• A long-sleeved top or jacket
• Closed shoes
• Gloves where appropriate
• Eye protection when needed

These items do not eliminate crash risk, but they can provide additional protection from weather, road debris, and abrasions.

How Should You Ride With a Child in Bali?

Please make sure to know these if you want to bring a child for motorbike riding in Bali:

1. Check the Child's Readiness

Before starting, confirm that the child can sit securely, reach both footrests, hold on properly, and understand your instructions.

2. Fit the Helmet Correctly

Make sure the helmet sits securely and is properly fastened before moving.

3. Choose a Suitable Route

For a child passenger, avoid unnecessarily difficult roads, heavy traffic, poor visibility, and unfamiliar routes.

4. Ride Smoothly

Accelerate and brake progressively. Avoid sudden movements that could cause the child to lose balance.

5. Leave Extra Following Distance

Give yourself more space from the vehicle ahead so you have additional time to react and brake smoothly.

6. Stop When the Child Becomes Tired

If the child becomes sleepy, uncomfortable, frightened, or unable to maintain a secure position, stop riding.

What Bali Road Conditions Should You Consider?

Riding with a child in Bali requires more consideration than simply checking whether it is legally permitted.

Traffic can become busy around popular tourist areas, while some smaller roads can be narrow, uneven, or unfamiliar. Rain can also make road surfaces slippery and reduce visibility.

Bali's government specifically reminds foreign tourists to comply with Indonesian traffic regulations, wear helmets, follow traffic signs, and avoid exceeding passenger limits.

For families, consider avoiding:

• Heavy traffic during busy periods
• Long rides in poor weather
• Unfamiliar mountain roads
• Wet or poorly maintained roads
• Aggressive or high-speed riding
• Very long journeys without breaks

A short, straightforward journey is a very different proposition from taking a tired child on a long island-wide scooter trip.

When Should You Not Take a Child on a Scooter?

Do not take a child as a scooter passenger if:

• They cannot reach the passenger footrests.
• They cannot sit securely.
• They cannot hold on properly.
• They are too young to understand basic passenger instructions.
• They are sleepy, sick, or extremely tired.
• You do not have a suitable helmet.
• Weather or road conditions are poor.
• The route involves traffic or roads you are not comfortable navigating.
• You are an inexperienced scooter rider.

If several of these conditions apply, using a car with a professional driver is generally the more practical choice for a family trip.

Need to Rent a Scooter to Explore Bali? Just Book with Cinchy!

If you decide that a scooter is suitable for your family, choosing a well-maintained rental scooter and checking the available safety equipment beforehand can make the process easier.

Cinchy provides regularly maintained scooters designed to offer a reliable and comfortable riding experience around Bali.

You can also check scooter availability in real time through the website before booking, which is useful when planning a trip during either peak season or low season.

Have a Different Type of Scooters

Compact includes models such as Honda Scoopy, Yamaha Fazzio, and Honda Vario. Prices start from IDR 95,000/day, with weekly rates from IDR 80,000/day and monthly rates from IDR 50,000/day.

Comfort includes Yamaha NMAX and Honda PCX. Prices start from IDR 155,000/day, with weekly rates from IDR 125,000/day and monthly rates from IDR 80,000/day.

For riding with a passenger, the Comfort category can be worth considering if you prioritize additional space and comfort, particularly for longer rides. Cinchy describes its Comfort models as suitable for riding with a companion and longer journeys.

Offers Comprehensive Services

Cinchy is designed to keep the rental process straightforward. The standard rental package includes a helmet, hair net, phone holder, and raincoat.

You can also request a free kids' helmet or add a brand-new kids' helmet for IDR 90,000.

Cinchy provides 24/7 customer support, while scooter delivery and pickup options are available across selected Bali locations. Delivery is free to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Seminyak, Kuta, and Legian. Other locations are available for an additional fee: Canggu IDR 20,000, Sanur IDR 40,000, and Nusa Dua IDR 65,000.

Rental requirements are also straightforward: you need a valid ID such as a passport or KTP, a valid driving licence such as an international licence or SIM C, round-trip flight tickets, and hotel booking information covering the scooter rental period.

Insurance Options Are Available

Cinchy offers several coverage options, including Basic Coverage, Full Coverage, and VIP.

• Basic Coverage has a deductible: you are responsible for the first IDR 2 million of eligible repair costs, while damage exceeding that amount can be covered under the policy. Theft is not covered.
• Full Coverage provides zero deductible for covered scratches and accident-related scooter damage.
• VIP also provides zero deductible for covered damage and adds theft protection, subject to compliance with the mandatory theft protocol.

It is important to understand that these options are not personal accident insurance. Cinchy's stated exclusions include medical expenses or personal injury to the renter or third parties, as well as third-party property damage or bodily injury caused by the renter. Negligent use can also fall outside coverage.

Ready to Rent a Scooter in Bali? Book Your Scooter with Cinchy!

If your child is physically ready to ride, you have the appropriate safety equipment, and your planned route is suitable, a scooter can be a convenient way to explore Bali.

Before booking, check your child's readiness, choose the right scooter, and plan your route carefully.

👉 Rent a scooter in Cinchy now, book early and save 5% with code EARLY5!