Motorcycle IDP categories explained
Your IDP carries a category code that matches your home-country motorcycle endorsement. The three main categories:
Your IDP can only carry categories your home licence already has. If you only hold a car licence (B), you cannot get a motorcycle IDP — full stop. You'd need to add an A/A1/A2 endorsement first by passing a motorcycle test in your home country.
Top motorcycle destinations and their requirements
| Country | IDP required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | Yes (1968) | 50cc+ requires motorcycle endorsement. Almost no nomad has the right one. |
| Bali (Indonesia) | Yes (1949) | Strictly enforced after 2024 crackdown. Police at intersections checking. |
| Thailand | Yes (1949) | Plus motorcycle test if staying 60+ days. |
| Greece | Yes (1968 EU/Non-EU) | Strict on category match. A1 ≠ A2 in police checks. |
| Italy | Yes if Non-EU | Famous for tourist motorcycle accidents — IDP enforcement uneven but insurance strict. |
| Japan | Yes (1949) | Category enforced. Scooter rental shops will refuse without correct endorsement. |
Get an IDP with your motorcycle endorsement
RoadSeal carries all your home-country categories over automatically. Just upload your licence.
Start application →Renting a motorcycle abroad — what you'll actually face
Tourist-area rental shops vary wildly. The chain shops at airports (e.g., Bali Holiday Rent or Vietnam Motorbike Tours) will check your IDP and licence category. The corner stalls in beach towns often skip the paperwork — but if you crash, your insurance is void and you're paying the hospital out of pocket.
Recommended:
- Book from a chain or hotel concierge, never just a streetside stall.
- Photograph the bike + receipt before riding, to dispute fake "damage" claims later.
- Carry the IDP + national licence + passport at all times — the IDP alone isn't valid.
- Test the brakes before paying. Common scam: rent you a bike with bad brakes, then bill you for "repairs."
Helmet & gear laws — non-negotiable
Every country requires a helmet — even Bali and Vietnam, where you'll see locals ride without one. Foreigners get fined first.
- Approved helmets only: DOT (US), ECE 22.05/22.06 (Europe), or local equivalents. Novelty helmets aren't legal anywhere.
- Closed-toe shoes required in many countries' rental contracts, regardless of law.
- Hi-viz vest required in France, Spain, Italy for night riding.
- Gloves mandatory in France and parts of Australia.
Why insurance voids without an IDP
Even if local police never stop you, your travel insurance includes a clause that voids medical coverage if you're injured riding "without proper authorisation." The carrier will demand proof of:
- Valid IDP with motorcycle category endorsement
- Valid home-country motorcycle licence
- Helmet in use at time of accident
Miss any of these and you'll face $20,000-100,000 in medical bills for a serious accident.
Quick FAQs
Can I get a motorcycle IDP if I only have a car licence? No. The IDP only mirrors what's on your home-country licence.
What about scooters under 50cc? Some countries (e.g., Italy, Vietnam) don't require any licence for small mopeds, but the rental shop will still want to see ID. Check the country page.
Does my IDP cover electric scooters and mopeds? Yes, if they fall within your category's wattage/speed limits. Most e-scooters under 250W don't need licence at all.
Can I add a motorcycle endorsement to my IDP after I'm abroad? No — you'd need to fly home, add the endorsement to your national licence, then re-apply for an IDP.