Find Scooter & Motorcycle Hire in China
Enter your city, island or destination below to search available scooters and motorcycles.
Enter your city, island or destination below to search available scooters and motorcycles.
Explore China on Two Wheels
From bustling cities and ancient landmarks to peaceful countryside, China offers an extraordinary variety of landscapes and experiences to discover on two wheels.
Beyond the urban centres, roads wind through mountain scenery, traditional villages and vast rural landscapes, revealing a completely different side of this fascinating country.
A scooter or motorcycle gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, discovering quieter roads, local communities and memorable scenery along the way.
Ride Your Way
Set your own pace and experience China beyond the usual tourist routes.
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Explore mountain roads, traditional villages and spectacular countryside.
Make It Memorable
Turn every journey into part of your Chinese adventure.
Explore China
Shanghai
China’s dazzling waterfront metropolis, where futuristic skylines meet historic neighbourhoods and hidden streets.
More places to ride in China
Considerations Before You Ride in China
To ride a scooter or motorcycle legally in mainland China, you need a Chinese driving licence that covers the appropriate motorcycle category. A foreign driving licence on its own is not sufficient, and China does not recognise International Driving Permits as a substitute for a Chinese licence.
Foreign visitors who already hold an appropriate overseas licence may be able to apply for a Chinese licence. The process can involve providing your overseas licence and a Chinese translation, completing a medical examination and passing the required Chinese traffic-law test. The exact procedure can vary according to the local licensing authority.
Temporary driving permits are available to some overseas visitors, but this is particularly important for scooter hire: official Shanghai guidance states that temporary permits used for rented vehicles are restricted to C1 and C2 vehicles, which are car categories rather than motorcycles. You should therefore confirm that you can obtain the appropriate Chinese motorcycle entitlement before booking a scooter.
Useful links
GOV.UK – China travel advice: road travel
Beijing Government – Chinese driving licences for holders of foreign licences
Yes. Motorcycle and scooter restrictions vary significantly between Chinese cities and regions, so you should not assume that a scooter can be ridden on every public road. Some major cities prohibit or restrict motorcycles in central districts, on particular roads or at certain times, while local rules can also depend on where the motorcycle is registered.
This is particularly important if you plan to travel beyond Shanghai. Restrictions can differ considerably between provinces and cities, and some areas impose extensive motorcycle bans. Expressway access can also vary locally, with certain regions prohibiting motorcycles altogether even though national road rules make provision for motorcycles on some expressways.
Always check the current rules for every city and province on your planned route before setting out. Pay attention to motorcycle prohibition signs and instructions from the traffic police, and do not rely solely on a navigation app when deciding whether a particular road is open to motorcycles.
Useful links
Shanghai Government – Transportation and private vehicle guidance
GOV.UK – China travel advice: road travel
Chinese road traffic law requires both the rider and passenger of a motorcycle to wear a safety helmet. China also has a compulsory national safety standard for motorcycle helmets, so make sure the helmet you use is suitable, fits securely and is in good condition.
Other protective riding equipment such as gloves, motorcycle jackets, protective trousers and sturdy footwear is not generally compulsory in the same way as a helmet. However, appropriate protective clothing is strongly recommended, particularly for longer journeys or riding on faster roads.
Do not assume that a suitable helmet or other protective equipment will automatically be supplied with your scooter. What is included depends on the rental terms, so check before booking and inspect any supplied helmet carefully for fit and condition before riding.
Useful links
Supreme People’s Court of China – Road Traffic Safety Law (English)
Shanghai Government – Motorcycle and electric-bike safety guidance
Yes. You must be at least 18 to qualify for a Chinese motorcycle driving licence. The precise licensing rules also depend on the motorcycle category, so your age and licence must both be appropriate for the scooter or motorcycle you intend to ride.
The legal licensing age should not be confused with the minimum age for hiring a scooter. Rental companies can impose their own age requirements, which may be higher, and can also require riders to have held the appropriate motorcycle licence for a minimum period.
Always check the age and licence conditions for your chosen vehicle before booking. This is particularly important in China because foreign visitors must have the appropriate Chinese driving entitlement; simply meeting the minimum age requirement does not make a foreign licence or International Driving Permit valid for riding there.
Useful links
Beijing Government – Chinese driving licence requirements for holders of foreign licences
Beijing Government – Driving licence age requirements
No. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not recognised for driving in mainland China. An IDP cannot be used on its own to ride a scooter or motorcycle and cannot be used to apply for a Chinese driving licence.
Foreign visitors who want to ride need the appropriate Chinese driving entitlement. If you already hold a valid overseas motorcycle licence, you may be able to apply for a Chinese driving licence covering the corresponding vehicle category, subject to the Chinese licensing requirements.
China also offers temporary driving permits to some foreign visitors, but there is an important restriction when hiring a vehicle: temporary permits for rented vehicles are limited to C1 and C2 vehicle categories, which cover small cars rather than motorcycles. You should therefore make sure you can obtain the appropriate Chinese motorcycle licence before booking a scooter or motorcycle.
Useful links
Beijing Government – Can an International Driving Permit be used in China?
Beijing Government – Applying for a Chinese licence with a foreign driving licence
Shanghai Government – Temporary driving permits for foreign visitors
Traffic in mainland China drives on the right. Motorcycles should generally use the rightmost motor-vehicle lane where roads have two or more lanes travelling in the same direction. Follow traffic lights, road signs, lane markings and police instructions, and always obey locally posted motorcycle restrictions.
Both the rider and passenger must wear a safety helmet. Observe posted speed limits, maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead and reduce your speed in poor weather or hazardous conditions. When overtaking, motorcycles normally pass on the left and should only do so when there is sufficient visibility and space.
Local traffic rules are particularly important in China because cities and provinces can impose additional restrictions on motorcycles. Before riding somewhere unfamiliar, check for motorcycle bans or restricted roads and pay close attention to local signs rather than assuming that a route suitable for cars is also open to motorcycles.
Useful links
Supreme People’s Court of China – Road Traffic Safety Law (English)
Shanghai Government – Transportation and private vehicle guidance
Do not assume that comprehensive insurance is automatically included with a scooter hire in China. Chinese law requires motor vehicles to have compulsory third-party liability insurance, but this compulsory cover is primarily concerned with liability arising from injury or damage caused to other people. It should not be treated as comprehensive cover for the rental scooter itself.
The protection included with an individual rental can vary, so check the booking conditions carefully. Look for details of third-party liability, damage and theft cover, the insurance excess or deductible, and circumstances where you could become personally responsible for repair or replacement costs.
You should also check your own travel insurance before riding. Standard travel policies do not necessarily cover hired scooters or motorcycles, and GOV.UK specifically warns that mopeds are not usually covered as standard. Make sure your policy covers the vehicle and engine size you intend to ride and that you comply with its licence, helmet and other conditions.
Useful links
GOV.UK – Foreign travel insurance guidance
GOV.UK – China travel advice
Shanghai Government – What to do following a traffic accident
There can be additional charges on top of the advertised scooter hire price, depending on the rental terms and the vehicle you choose. Always check exactly what is included in the quoted price before completing your booking.
Possible additional costs can include a security deposit, insurance excess or optional additional insurance, extra equipment, an additional rider, late-return charges and fees for extending the rental period. Some rentals may also impose mileage limits, with an additional charge if you exceed the agreed allowance.
The amount and type of additional charges vary between rentals, so check the booking conditions carefully. Pay particular attention to the security deposit, insurance excess, fuel and mileage policy, what equipment is included and the conditions for returning the scooter. Any compulsory charges should be identified before you confirm and pay for your booking.
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