Find Scooter & Motorcycle Hire in Nepal
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Enter your city, island or destination below to search available scooters and motorcycles.
Explore Nepal on Two Wheels
From Kathmandu’s ancient temples and bustling streets to the peaceful lakeside setting of Pokhara, Nepal offers an unforgettable backdrop for exploring on two wheels.
Beyond the cities, winding roads lead through green valleys, hillside villages and dramatic mountain landscapes, with spectacular Himalayan scenery appearing around almost every bend.
A scooter or motorcycle gives you the freedom to venture further, discovering viewpoints, lakes and quieter roads while experiencing Nepal at your own pace.
Ride Your Way
Set your own pace and explore Nepal without being tied to tours or timetables.
Reach Further
Leave the busy centres behind and discover mountain roads, lakes and quieter villages.
Make It Memorable
Turn every journey into part of the adventure, with incredible scenery along the way.
Explore Nepal
Kathmandu
Ancient temples, lively streets and the perfect starting point for exploring the Kathmandu Valley.
Pokhara
Lakeside roads, laid-back surroundings and spectacular Himalayan scenery around every turn.
More places to ride in Nepal
Considerations Before You Ride in Nepal
To ride a scooter or motorcycle legally in Nepal, you need a valid driving licence that covers the type of vehicle you intend to ride. Nepalese law states that a driver may only operate the classes of vehicle covered by their licence, so you should not assume that a standard car licence automatically allows you to ride a scooter or motorcycle.
For UK visitors, you need a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) together with your UK driving licence. The 1949 IDP is no longer accepted in Nepal. Your IDP must also cover the appropriate vehicle category, and you should carry both documents with you while riding.
You must obtain your IDP before travelling, as a UK-issued IDP cannot be obtained once you are abroad. Rental companies can also set their own minimum age, riding experience and licence requirements, so check the conditions for your chosen scooter or motorcycle before booking.
Useful links
GOV.UK – Nepal travel advice: road travel
GOV.UK – International Driving Permits
GOV.UK – How to get an International Driving Permit
There is no general nationwide rule banning scooters or motorcycles from Nepal’s ordinary public roads, but access can become restricted in particular areas. Some national parks, conservation areas and other protected regions require entry permits, and permission to enter the area does not necessarily mean that every road or trail within it is open to motor vehicles.
Nepal also has designated restricted regions, particularly in remote Himalayan and border areas, where foreign visitors need special permits. These restrictions are primarily immigration and conservation controls rather than scooter-specific rules, but they can prevent you from simply riding into an area independently. Always check the requirements before planning a route into remote areas.
Temporary road closures are also common. Landslides, flooding and road damage can make routes impassable, particularly during the monsoon season and in mountain areas. UK Government advice recommends checking that roads are open before travelling and being prepared to change or cancel plans at short notice. Police or local authorities may also restrict roads during demonstrations, emergencies or other local events. GOV.UK
Useful links
GOV.UK – Nepal travel advice: road travel and current safety information
Nepal Tourism Board – Restricted areas and trekking permits
Nepal Tourism Board – National park and protected-area entry permits
A protective helmet is required when riding a scooter or motorcycle in Nepal. Nepal Traffic Police guidance states that riders must wear a helmet, that it should comply with the relevant regulations and that it must be securely fastened. A full-face helmet is recommended as providing greater protection.
Other protective riding equipment such as a motorcycle jacket, gloves, boots and protective trousers is not generally listed as compulsory in the same way as a helmet. However, wearing proper protective clothing is strongly recommended, particularly given Nepal’s variable road surfaces, busy traffic and mountain roads.
Do not assume that all protective equipment will be included with your rental. UK Government travel advice states that motorcycle rental companies in Nepal will provide helmets for passengers if requested, but the availability, condition and type of helmet can vary between rental companies. Check what is included before booking and make sure any supplied helmet fits properly and fastens securely. If you prefer to use your own riding jacket, gloves or other protective equipment, plan to bring these with you.
Useful links
Nepal Traffic Police – Guidelines for motorcyclists
GOV.UK – Nepal travel advice: road travel and motorcycle safety
Nepalese law allows a person to obtain a licence for a motorcycle or similar two-wheeled vehicle from the age of 16. However, this is the legal licensing age and should not be confused with the minimum age required to hire a scooter or motorcycle.
Rental companies can set their own minimum age requirements, which may be higher than Nepal’s legal riding age. Requirements can also vary according to the type and power of the vehicle, and some suppliers may require you to have held the appropriate motorcycle licence for a minimum period.
Always check the age and licence requirements shown for your chosen scooter or motorcycle before booking. Meeting Nepal’s minimum legal riding age does not necessarily mean that you will be eligible to hire every vehicle available.
Yes. If you are travelling from the UK, you need a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) together with your UK driving licence to drive or ride in Nepal. The older 1949 IDP is no longer accepted in Nepal. GOV.UK
An IDP does not replace your normal driving licence, so you should carry both documents with you when riding. Your licence and IDP must also cover the appropriate category of scooter or motorcycle you intend to hire.
You need to obtain the IDP before travelling to Nepal, as a UK-issued IDP cannot be obtained once you are abroad. A 1968 IDP is normally valid for three years, or until your UK driving licence expires if that happens sooner. GOV.UK
Useful links
GOV.UK – Nepal travel advice: road travel and International Driving Permits
GOV.UK – Check which International Driving Permit you need
GOV.UK – How to get an International Driving Permit
Yes. Traffic in Nepal drives on the left-hand side of the road. When riding, obey traffic lights, road signs and instructions from traffic police, and keep your speed appropriate for the conditions. Nepal Traffic Police specifically advises motorcyclists not to weave through stationary or slow-moving traffic and to slow down or stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings. Nepal Police Traffic
You must wear a securely fastened protective helmet while riding. Do not use a mobile phone while riding, and do not drink and drive. A motorcycle should carry no more than one passenger, who should sit on the proper pillion seat with both feet on the footrests. You should also carry your driving licence and the vehicle’s registration documents with you. Nepal Police Traffic
Take particular care even when following the rules. Road conditions in Nepal can be poor, especially in mountain areas and during the monsoon season, and speeding, overloaded vehicles and unpredictable driving contribute to accidents. Allow extra stopping distance, ride defensively and reduce your speed when road or weather conditions deteriorate. GOV.UK
Useful links
Nepal Traffic Police – Guidelines for Motorcyclists
GOV.UK – Nepal travel advice: road travel and safety
Do not assume that your scooter hire automatically includes comprehensive insurance. Motor vehicles in Nepal are required to have third-party insurance, but this does not necessarily cover damage to the rental scooter, theft, your own injuries or all of the costs arising from an accident.
The level of cover included with a rental can vary, so check the booking conditions carefully before confirming your scooter. Look for details of third-party liability, damage and theft cover, the excess you would have to pay following a claim, and any exclusions that could affect where or how you can use the vehicle.
You should also check your own travel insurance. Standard travel policies do not always cover riding hired scooters or motorcycles, and some impose restrictions based on engine size, licence entitlement or the type of vehicle being ridden. Make sure your policy specifically covers riding the scooter or motorcycle you intend to hire in Nepal.
Useful links
GOV.UK – Foreign travel insurance guidance
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 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 have 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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