Renting a Scooter in Phuket: Do You Have to Leave Your Passport?

If you've looked into renting a scooter in Phuket, you've probably heard it: "They'll want your passport." Plenty of shops do ask for it. But not every shop does, and the rules change from shop to shop — sometimes from bike to bike.

Here's how deposits actually work, what the usual options are, and how to know the rule before you turn up.

Why shops ask for a deposit at all

A rental shop is handing a stranger a vehicle worth tens of thousands of baht. The deposit is their insurance that the bike comes back — on time and in one piece. That's why it's normal, and why it's always returned when you bring the bike back in the condition you got it.

What varies is what the shop holds.

The three deposit types you'll see

1. Your original passport. The shop keeps it until you return the bike. It's common, especially for bigger or more expensive bikes, and with shops further from the main tourist strips.

2. A cash deposit. Typically a few thousand baht for a standard scooter, returned on return. Bigger bikes usually mean a bigger cash deposit — sometimes much bigger.

3. Either one — your choice. Some shops let you pick: leave the passport, or leave cash instead.

There is no single "Phuket rule". Two shops on the same street can have different policies, and one shop can ask for a passport for a big bike but accept cash for a scooter.

Why many travellers prefer not to leave their passport

• You may need it to check into your next hotel, exchange money, or at an immigration check.
• If there's a disagreement about damage when you return the bike, the shop is still holding your passport.
• Losing track of it — or the shop losing track of it — is a real headache far from home.

None of this means passport-deposit shops are bad. It just means it's worth knowing which kind of shop you're walking into.

How to check before you go

Most problems happen when the deposit rule is a surprise at the counter. Before you rent:

1. Ask the exact rule for the bike you want — "passport, cash, or either?" and "how much cash?"
2. Ask whether a photocopy is accepted instead of the original (some shops do, many don't).
3. Bring enough cash if you plan to pay a cash deposit — card is rarely accepted for deposits.
4. Photograph the bike (all sides, the fuel gauge, existing scratches) before you ride away, so the return check is quick and fair.

How Goja shows it

On Goja, every bike shows its shop's deposit rule — passport, cash (with the amount), or either — on the bike page before you book, and again on your booking confirmation. Each shop sets its own rule — it isn't decided by the area. Today, for example, one partner shop accepts either a ฿3,000 cash deposit or your passport for its scooters, while another asks for a passport on most of its bikes. Either way, you see the rule for that exact bike before you pay anything.

Booking works the same way for every bike: you pay a small booking fee online (15% of the rental, minimum ฿100) with PromptPay or card, and pay the rest in cash at the shop when you pick up. The deposit is separate and goes straight back to you when you return the bike.

Don't forget your licence

Whichever deposit you leave, you still need to be licensed to ride. In Thailand that generally means your home licence with a motorcycle category plus an International Driving Permit that also covers motorcycles. Police checkpoints in tourist areas do check, and riding unlicensed can also affect your travel insurance. Check the current rules with your embassy or your IDP issuer before you travel.

Quick answers

Can I rent a scooter in Phuket without leaving my passport?

Often, yes — many shops accept a cash deposit instead. It depends on the shop and the bike, so check the deposit rule first.

How much is a cash deposit for a scooter?

It varies by shop. For a standard 110–160cc scooter, a few thousand baht is typical; bigger bikes cost more.

Do I get the deposit back?

Yes — when you return the bike on time and in the same condition.