Anyone who is an independent traveller knows if you're "in the club" you often stick (perhaps to a fault) to the too-cool-for-school method of avoiding organized tours and opting to hitchhike or perhaps rent a vehicle to visit the amazing sites and geography the world has to offer. These sites and geography are what inspire many of us to strap a backpack on our backs and hit the road in the first place for the adventure of a lifetime.
And with the freedoms of just a backpack and the road comes the desire to often avoid all things conforming (like organized bus tours) and as I mentioned endure the alternative of renting a vehicle to explore.
In many cases that vehicle ends up being a motor bike or scooter.They are cheap, easy to maneuver, and as we all know, just a dreamy way to travel.
I can attest first hand that this is indeed an amazing and freeing way see what the world has to offer. The genuine closeness you feel to your environment, having the wind in your face, the smells of spice or lavendar in the air, and the smiles and waves from locals as you sail through villages and jet over jungle bridges. I admit, it is a unreal way to connect with and see your destination.
And I support it!! If you thought I was about to say "BEWARE" you were wrong. It is an enjoyable and unprecedented way to meet your country.
Here is the BUT, 8 out of 10 travellers I
met had been in accidents (myself included) over half minor but some serious, and I have heard many stories over the years where it was fatal or caused life long suffering (physically and financially)
So I am not saying BEWARE, I am saying BE SMART.
I am going to give you some key pointers that may save you and will definitely help you make the choice to ride or not to ride.
1) CAN'T DRIVE AT HOME, DON'T DRIVE ABROAD:
This may seem obvious but some younger folk get over confident after a few months of backpacking and think that experience translates to the road, it doesn't!! If you don't have a drivers licence at home then you should not be driving abroad. Some dodgy arrangements may rent to you without a license but not only are you endangering yourself and others but if you get pulled over you will be fined or imprisoned (in all countries) and if you get in an accident you could be imprisoned for a long time.
Keep in mind that you do not need a motorcycle licence to drive and rent a scooter, just a regular passenger vehicle licence is sufficient.
2) YOU SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST 5 YEARS BEHIND THE WHEEL
And that's not borrowing someone's car once and a while, that's 5 continuous years of owning a car and operating in a CITY AND RURAL COUNTRYSIDE.
If you have never driven on a city freeway you should not be driving internationally. Same goes for rural countryside driving which can be dangerous with high speeds, animals and bumpy often dirt roads.
3) YOUR FIRST DRIVE SHOULD BE IN A LOW POPULATED AREA
Don't think your 007 and start ripping around Bangkok or Jakarta. I can assure you, with little experience you will end up in an accident. Start in a smaller town or beach area. Rent a scooter to get a feel for it, it's limitations and how you communicate with other drivers. Much of the world communicates differently than the west on the roads and the rules are different. This rule applies double for those who will be driving on the opposite side of the road they are used to. I cannot tell you how many accidents I have heard of due to this. Even if you are an experienced driver it is a death wish to drive in cities like Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City or Delhi. Many locals don't even drive in these cities.
4) DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT
Many countries (particularly developing countries) don't have their roads lit sufficiently at night so especially when it comes to a foreigner who is unfamiliar with the land this can be very dangerous. In many countries it is not just other drivers to beware of but animals, rocks and rubbish on the road. And NEVER DRIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.
5) GET HOOKED UP WITH A RENTAL THROUGH YOUR ACCOMMODATION HOST
This is the most reliable way to get a rental. Most of the time it won't be a flashy nice new bike but if it is through your accommodation it will be a safe and suitable scooter for your purposes.
You can negotiate in some countries like India or Indonesia but in many cases it will already be so inexpensive that you likely won't bother($4.00 per day).
Your accommodation will often keep your passport to ensure you return the bike.
6) YOU BREAK IT,YOU BUY IT
In many developing countries there is simply no insurance and three quarters of people on the road have no insurance so beware that anything you damage (this includes your bodies and those of others) you will have to shell out compensation in cash. For the most part, renters are fair and you can negotiate something without trouble if there is a small scratch. But this will extend to who you hit, so know that if in an accident and it's your fault you will have to shell out money on the spot or they will follow you to an ATM. Again, most people are fair and fixing damage to a vehicle is often much cheaper in other countries outside the west. A small nick can often be dealt with through a handshake and an apology depending on how nice the vehicle is. But a reminder, this means no liability insurance, this is something to consider before renting and you may want to evaluate how confident you are on the road.
7) INTERNATIONAL LICENSE
It is not always necessary to have it to rent a vehicle but if you are pulled over on a random "shakedown" they may be happy to charge you a small fine for not having one and then let you on your merry way. I was pulled over in India and fined the equivalent of $10.00. However that was the only time I have ever been questioned about it. Might be worth getting, they are often very cheap ($10.00 in U.S. and Canada) at your local auto insurance agency and no test is required, they will just ask you to show a valid drivers license.
8) WEAR YOUR HELMET
If you don't your an idiot. And many locals may comment at a red light that you should have it on.
Also ensure that there are helmets for both of you if your are a couple. Check and make sure they fit properly and fasten properly to your head. Don't rent unless they do. They will find you one that fits rather than lose your business.
9) GAS
It doesn't hurt to ask the person you are renting from how much the tank will cost to fill in the local currency. 99% percent of the time you would be fine but a confused foreigner can bring opportunists who may over charge you. Keep in mind that many countries have road side family operated gas booths where you can buy gas out of 1 litre Coca Cola bottles. This is a widely accepted way to purchase gas.
10) RULES OF THE ROAD
Every country varies in their road culture but I will list some key things to keep in mind:
A) DRIVE AGGRESSIVE
One constant across every country I have motor biked though is locals are very good drivers,very helpful when needed but AGGRESSIVE. Don't expect them to hold back to let you in, you may feel like your being cut off but if there is room they will use it, particularly when it comes to scooters. And you will see very quickly you will be up close and personal with drivers inches to your left and right, this is normal. Locals are very alert and defensive as driving in many countries is aggressive so if you are not alert you are in danger. You won't see any "Sunday Drivers" In many places everybody is trying to get somewhere and if you snooze you lose.
B) A HONK IS A WARNING OR SIGNAL
You will see (or hear!) quickly that a honk is more than a what we are used to in the west. In India people honk rather than signal often or honk when coming around a bend. This is often the case in SE Asia and Indonesia as well. So shake your jumpiness from a horn and remember a fellow driver is alerting you to his/her presence.
C) BIKE LANE
Many places will have an unmarked scooter/motor bike lane that will be closer to the shoulder. You will notice this quickly as their will be a sea of bikes. This is due to the slower speeds of scooters particularly on freeways or main streets. However it is normal to cut into a lane when making a cross intersection turn.
D) SIGNAL
Not all locals in all countries will always use their signal but you should. It is safer for you being not as confident on the road and will likely tell other drivers you are a foreigner or new driver. Locals are very accommodating if they notice you are a foreigner trying to battle the roads!
E) DON'T STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS
This is against what many people in the west are taught but this can be very dangerous. Other drivers will not know why you are stopping and pedestrians will not understand why you are stopping. They will only go when they can(traffic has let up). It is not customary for vehicles to stop for pedestrians and you will just cause confusion, horns and possibly an accident.
Motor Biking is a breath taking way to engage with your new surroundings and can be rewarding but great care must be taken. It is smart to rent or borrow one at home first and practice.
Ultimately transport across most countries in the world is affordable and variable. Renting a scooter is by no means the only way.
An auto-rickshaw for the day is not much more in price and can be a thrill as well as a very efficient way to see a country.
Whatever you do, do it well!
Peace.
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