Drinking and Riding a Scooter in Bali: Laws, Insurance & Safe Ways Home

Updated 2026-10-18 · By the SiapPergi team (siappergi.com)

Short answer: don’t do it. Riding under the influence is illegal in Indonesia, a crash after drinking almost always voids your travel insurance, and Bali’s roads at night — unlit, potholed, full of dogs and other tired riders — are unforgiving even when you’re sober. Getting home by Grab, Gojek or a pre-booked driver costs less than a cocktail.

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Beach clubs, sunset bars and late nights are a huge part of a Bali holiday. So is the scooter. The combination is behind a big share of the accidents that fill Bali’s clinics with tourists every week. This guide is not here to lecture — it’s here to explain what’s really at stake and how easy it is to get home safely.

What the law says

Indonesian traffic law (UU 22/2009) prohibits driving in a condition that impairs your ability to ride safely, which includes alcohol and drugs. Police in Bali run checkpoints, especially in Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta and on the roads to beach clubs, and there are periodic crackdowns on tourist riding behaviour. If you cause an accident while drunk, you can face criminal charges, compensation claims and long delays before you can leave the country. Read Bali police checkpoints and fines and the tourist scooter rules.

Your insurance won’t pay

Almost every travel insurance policy excludes claims where you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. That means hospital bills, medical evacuation, damage to the rental scooter and any third-party claims become yours. A serious head injury and evacuation from Bali can run into tens of thousands of dollars. Check your policy wording, and read does travel insurance cover scooter accidents? and Bali hospitals and clinics.

Why night riding after drinks is extra risky in Bali

• Many roads have no street lights and hidden potholes.
• Dogs, ceremonies and parked trucks appear without warning.
• Other riders on the road at 1 am may also have been drinking.
• Sand and gravel near beaches make corners slippery.
• Arak (local spirit) is strong, and methanol-contaminated drinks have caused deaths — stick to reputable bars and sealed drinks.

More on this in riding a scooter at night in Bali.

Easy ways to get home

1. Grab or Gojek car

Ride-hailing cars are cheap, available in most of South Bali and go door to door. In some areas (parts of Canggu, Uluwatu, Ubud centre) pickups are restricted, so you may walk to the main road. Avoid ride-hailing scooters after drinking too — sitting on the back while tipsy is still risky. Compare in scooter rental vs Grab/Gojek.

2. Pre-book a driver for the night

Going to a beach club in Uluwatu or Canggu with friends? A car with a driver for the evening is often the best value split between four people, and the driver waits for you. See car rental with driver.

3. Leave the scooter and collect it tomorrow

Ask the bar or club security if you can leave the scooter overnight — most say yes. Lock the steering, take the key and helmet, and pick it up the next morning. Read scooter parking in Bali and scooter theft.

4. Stay close to the action

If nightlife is a big part of your trip, base yourself within walking distance of it. See where to stay in our area pages, e.g. Canggu or Seminyak.

If a friend wants to ride drunk

Take the key. Seriously. Order them a car on your phone and offer to come back for the scooter together in the morning. It’s an awkward minute versus a possible lifetime of consequences.

Book a driver for your night out

Ready to ride? Compare daily, weekly & monthly rates on our Bali scooter rental page — delivered to your hotel or villa in 34 areas.

Frequently asked questions