· SOUTHEAST ASIA · MALAYSIA ·
Renting a Scooter in Penang: is it a Good Idea?
Scribbled by Claire ⬩ 01 Aug 2025
Are you wondering about the best way to get around Penang? We were initially unsure ourselves, but chose to rent a scooter for our two-week trip and it was the best idea! Here, we’ve written about the roads, the drivers, what licenses you need, costs, safety and more, so you can see if riding a scooter is the right choice for you!
We recently spent two weeks in Penang, and before we left for our trip, we went back and forth about how to get around. Should we take taxis, rent a car, use the buses, or rent a motorbike?
We had no idea what the roads and drivers were like in Penang, but we’d driven a car elsewhere in Malaysia, so figured it wouldn’t be that much different. There really wasn’t much online about how prevalent scooters and motorbikes were in the region, or if it was common to rent them.
I typed in ‘riding a scooter in Penang’ and the second entry had this crazy phrase highlighted:
‘You can hire motorbikes in Penang – but the risk is great as the road rules are very random and a complete mystery. You would be risking injury or death’.
There was absolutely nothing about up-to-date prices, road rules or licensing requirements, either.
So, we decided to rent a car! However, as soon as we arrived in Penang, we saw the number of bikes on the road, a few scooter rental places near our hotel, and immediately changed our minds and cancelled our car rental.
Below is everything we learnt about renting a scooter or motorbike in Penang for two weeks, to hopefully persuade you that it is a good idea (with caveats).
Note: we use motorbike and scooter interchangeably here as, for the purposes of this article, they are the same.
IN THIS GUIDE //
Scooting about Penang
Why We Liked Renting a Scooter in Penang
How Much is Scooter Rental?
What are the Roads Like?
– Within George Town
– Outside George Town
What Are Gas Stations Like?
Driving Culture in Penang
What License Do You Need to Rent a Scooter?
Road Rules and Things to Know
Where to Next?
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Why We Liked Renting a Scooter in Penang
So, although we would have been perfectly comfortable driving a car in Penang, we loved riding a scooter instead because:
⬩ In central George Town, bike parking is super easy, even at the peak of Chinese New Year, whereas cars and taxis were backed up for miles trying to find spaces.
⬩ During the drier season, the weather is perfect for riding a scooter (it’s a bit hot, but nice). It was even a tiny bit chilly first thing in the morning! (We wouldn’t have wanted to ride a scooter if it rained heavily, which is the case for pretty much any country).
⬩ The roads are safe and easy to navigate.
⬩ Having a bike makes it easy to visit quirky spots that many people miss, like the beautiful Floating Mosque.
⬩ Renting a scooter is more affordable than a car (although obviously more expensive than the bus).
⬩ We never paid to park anywhere, apart from a nominal 2 ringgit (MYR) fee at Kek Lok Si Temple.
⬩ Penang’s scenery is lovely and best seen from a motorbike – the northern coast is a great ride!
⬩ Ease of pick-up location – we didn’t have to go to the airport like we would have for a car (in fact, we randomly got our scooter from a bookshop in George Town).
⬩ Traffic in George Town is notoriously congested at times. Riding a scooter was great because we could skip most of the busiest traffic jams, which were especially large during Chinese New Year (filtering/lane splitting is legal so you can zip to the front).
Having said all that, driving a car is still a good call depending on the season. We’d totally recommend renting a car instead to drive outside George Town if you want to get around the island in the rainy times.
How Much is Scooter Rental in Penang?
Scooter rentals in Penang cost from around 50 MYR per day and up, depending on the type and quality of the bike. There’s a big variation in prices, because there are loads of types of bike. You can even rent a Vespa (I’ve loved Vespas since we rode them around Rome!). There will also be a deposit set by the rental owner of around 150 MYR (this will vary a little depending on your bike cost).
We trawled a whole bunch of places in George Town before we settled on our favourite, weighing up bike quality, cost, and the owner’s vibes. Our findings were that the bikes were *far* nicer and better looked after than in countries to the north, like Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
However, you also pay a lot more for them, too.
Eventually, we settled on a really nice 160cc scooter from Sam’s Scooter Rental and Bookshop. We paid a daily rate of 65 MYR, got two (pretty beaten up) helmets and left a cash deposit of 150 MYR. We’d suggest having a walk around and just talking to all the scooter rental places – you’ll get a vibe for the quality of the bikes and owners. The place we went to was great and we’d recommend them; the owner was upfront, didn’t try and get any extra money out of us and seemed like a nice guy.
It’s common to have to pay for a second helmet in Penang, which we’ve never come across in other countries.
Also, even in the midst of Chinese New Year, there were no shortage of motorbikes and scooters to rent in central George Town, so don’t worry about availability.
Do you have to leave your passport as a deposit?
Absolutely not. Never leave your passport anywhere for a deposit on a vehicle. That could end very, very badly if you end up with an unscrupulous owner (I don’t know about Malaysia, but scams based on someone keeping your passport are not unheard of in Thailand).
The only place we’ve absolutely had to do it is in Luang Prabang, Laos, where there was literally no other choice.
What are the Roads Like in Penang?
The roads in Penang are mostly super high quality and modern, well-signed in English. They are well lit along all the main thoroughfares, too, so we never had a problem, even when riding at night.
However, the type of road and associated hazards vary a little depending on whether you are within central George Town, or outside.
Within George Town
In the capital city of George Town, the roads are often narrow and one way, with vehicles parked along the road sides. There are pedestrians, rickshaws/trishaws, street food stalls and roaming cats all over the place!
Honestly, it just reminded me of driving around narrow, winding suburbs in the United Kingdom, though. Kids, cats, narrow lanes and obstructed views/routes from parked cars are a pretty normal occurrence where I live in Yorkshire, so I’d say that there is very little we deemed challenging. I’d also say that it was way less congested and frenetic than Bangkok, the other place we live, so George Town is not difficult to drive around, in my opinion!
In fact, driving in George Town is objectively easier because lots of the roads are one-way!
Traffic doesn’t move very fast in the city centre (the speed limit is 40-50km/h), so we’d say that, despite the random hazards, it’s easy to get around on a scooter.
Outside George Town
Outside of central George Town, we found many of the roads to be wide, often multi-lane dual carriageways which are commonly one-way. A benefit of these mostly one-way routes is that it’s rare to need to cross traffic to turn right without a traffic light, which is particularly welcome on a scooter. These roads kind of remind me of the exrtra-wide, double lane roads in the United States.
For motorbikes, these wide roads are helpful because it makes it easy to filter through the lanes to the front where the traffic lights are.
Driving the smaller, two lane roads around the coast leading away from the main town can get a little twisty and windy. Fortunately, cars are not impatient and don’t appear to mind bikes on the road, so you can drive at a sensible pace if you’re unsure. We never felt harassed or pressured by car drivers, at all.
People do drive fast on these larger roads, but there are often loads of lanes, so it really doesn’t affect you as a bike rider very much.
Note | around the hills and jungles outside of the towns, you may see monkeys in the road! We had to avoid monkeys even just when driving to the botanical gardens, which is not exactly a super rural route.
What are Gas Stations Like in Penang?
Gas stations in Penang are like everywhere else in the world, only a lot more affordable, for the most part (gas is excellent value – currently 2 MYR (36p per litre!). They’re modern and usually have a decent convenience store.
Unlike other Asian countries, you can fill up your vehicle yourself, so no attendant is needed. You also pre-authorise your card at the pump with a credit card before filling up with gas. If there’s no card machine, or your card doesn’t work, just pop to the attendant and tell them how much to authorise. It’s similar to most of the United States.
Most scooters will take the RON95 yellow pump gas. The pumps are entirely in English, too, so you can’t get confused.
It’s super straightforward.
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Outside George Town
Outside of central George Town, we found many of the roads to be wide, often multi-lane dual carriageways which are commonly one-way. A benefit of these mostly one-way routes is that it’s rare to need to cross traffic to turn right without a traffic light, which is particularly welcome on a scooter. These roads kind of remind me of the exrtra-wide, double lane roads in the United States.
For motorbikes, these wide roads are helpful because it makes it easy to filter through the lanes to the front where the traffic lights are.
Driving the smaller, two lane roads around the coast leading away from the main town can get a little twisty and windy. Fortunately, cars are not impatient and don’t appear to mind bikes on the road, so you can drive at a sensible pace if you’re unsure. We never felt harassed or pressured by car drivers, at all.
People do drive fast on these larger roads, but there are often loads of lanes, so it really doesn’t affect you as a bike rider very much.
Note | around the hills and jungles outside of the towns, you may see monkeys in the road! We had to avoid monkeys even just when driving to the botanical gardens, which is not exactly a super rural route.
What are Gas Stations Like in Penang?
Gas stations in Penang are like everywhere else in the world, only a lot more affordable, for the most part (gas is excellent value – currently 2 MYR (36p per litre!). They’re modern and usually have a decent convenience store.
Unlike other Asian countries, you can fill up your vehicle yourself, so no attendant is needed. You also pre-authorise your card at the pump with a credit card before filling up with gas. If there’s no card machine, or your card doesn’t work, just pop to the attendant and tell them how much to authorise. It’s similar to most of the United States.
Most scooters will take the RON95 yellow pump gas. The pumps are entirely in English, too, so you can’t get confused.
It’s super straightforward.
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Driving Culture in Penang
So, this is where my opinions and experiences diverge significantly with much of what I had read on the internet.
We found most drivers in Penang to be polite, obeying traffic rules like lights and lanes, and we never felt that cars didn’t respect our space as a bike rider.
Everything we read online about bad drivers in Penang could not be more opposed to our experiences. Personally, we’ve never found drivers anywhere in Malaysia, in general, to be bad!
We’d say that there was an average amount of people who drive faster than the speed limits, there was the occasional delivery motorbike who would take a shortcut on a footpath, and very rarely a bike might run a red light. It’s nothing on all the chaotic lawlessness of other countries in southeast Asia we’ve driven in, like Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines and Laos.
So, we’d cautiously recommend you to ignore everything on the internet, drive carefully and not worry too much!
WHERE TO STAY IN PENANG
The most obvious place to stay in Penang is George Town, especially if you are on a shorter trip.
We stayed in George Town for about half our time, then moved up to the Tangung area because it was more chill for a longer stay (during Chinese New Year!).
Our Choice – Hotel Mokozoyo ($$). This modern, minimalist, uniquely designed hotel really exceeded my expectations, with comfortable beds, Netflix, a great shower, quality aircon and free snacks. The location was perfect, too. It was the small details, really, that made me love it. We’d recommend it for mid-range travellers who care about budget but want nice things!
For a more upscale stay, we’d recommend the Eastern & Oriental Hotel ($$$). It’s super well-rated, classically designed and on the oceanfront, while still being in central George Town. Definitely one of the most sought-after stays in the area!
If you want a proper heritage stay in George Town, we’re torn between Noordin Mews ($$$$), which looks *crazy* beautiful, with some of the best reviews I’ve ever seen, and Ren I Tang Heritage Inn ($$), which is smack bang in the middle of the action, well-priced, with a classic Penang aesthetic and a beautiful courtyard.
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What License Do You Need to Rent a Scooter?
To rent a scooter in Malaysia, you legally require either a Malaysian driver’s license or your home license with the associated 1949 International Driving Permit (IDP).
Your driver’s license needs to fully allow you to ride any motorbike in your home country, too. So, in the UK, this would be a full A class license, not car-only, nor a CBT or A1.
Note | a 1968 IDP is not valid in Malaysia, so if you’re travelling in Thailand as well, for example, you’ll need to have both!
Note | the Malaysian license does not differentiate between scooters and motorbikes – they’re treated the same (they determine a motorbike-type vehicle as anything under 450 kilograms with less than four wheels).
We had to show our both our UK driver’s license and 1949 IDP to rent a bike in Penang (huge departure from other southeast Asian countries who, almost always, check nothing!).
If you’re not properly licensed to ride but intend to ride anyway, it’s highly likely your travel insurance will be invalid. If you want a company to insurance you, there is only one that we have found that will do this, called Genki. They’re reputable and reliable, so if you’re missing the A stamp on your IDP, for example, we’d recommend using them so you’re covered in the event of an accident.
Road Rules and Useful Things to Know
Below are a few things to note when driving a scooter in Penang:
⬩ Speed limits | within the George Town Heritage Site Zone: 40 km/h, otherwise 50 km/h within the rest of George Town. In the urban areas of Penang the limit rises to 60 km/h while the main road around the island, Federal Route 6, has a speed limit of 90 km/h.
⬩ Stick to the left hand side to allow faster moving traffic to pass, unless you are turning or the road splits.
⬩ Use your indicators when changing lane – people actually use them in Penang, so they will notice you use yours!
⬩ Wear a helmet – this is legally required and you can be fined 300 MYR if you don’t. This applies to both rider and pillion passenger. We didn’t see anyone riding without a helmet (or a shirt, for that matter – this is not Thailand).
⬩ Get to the front at traffic lights, like all the other bikers, and whizz off when the lights change to avoid getting mixed into the throng of cars. It’s not necessary, but actually much easier to do this than not.
⬩ Filtering, or lane splitting, is legal and expected from motorcyclists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What side of the road do people drive on in Penang?
In Penang, people drive on the left side of the road (a residual of British colonisation, I’m guessing).
If you drive on the right in your home country, this may concern you. However, Penang is actually very easy to adapt to since many of the roads are designated one-way.
Is it difficult to ride a scooter in Penang?
No, it’s very easy to ride around Penang! We’d say that if you have experience on a motorbike or scooter, you’ll have no issues at all.
Is it safe to ride a scooter in Penang?
Yes, we’d say that it is safe to ride in Penang. The roads are well laid out, drivers are polite and the traffic isn’t crazy (for bikes).
Is it actually worth renting a bike in Penang?
Yes, we think it is, especially if you’re visiting during the dry season. It’s a fantastic way to see the sights across the island without having to rely on public transport, taxis, or sitting in traffic jams!
We’d recommend renting a car if you are expecting downpours, though!
Can you ride without a license in Penang?
No, you need an appropriate license to drive in Malaysia! We had our licenses checked carefully before renting. Also, you will not be insured, even if somebody does rent you a bike.
Has our free content helped you plan a trip around Penang?
If you’ve found our post helpful, consider booking a rental car (if you need one!), through the company we always use – Discover Cars. They’re the absolute best and have been our rental companion (and savior, thanks to their insurance) in many destinations across the world.
Also, consider booking your accommodation through Booking.com – we use them exclusively when travelling in Southeast Asia.
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Where to Next?
Riding around Penang was an absolute joy; it’s the perfect destination for a quick run-around scooter, or even a larger vehicle to traverse the entire island like a proper biker! It’s a pity that more people haven’t talked about doing it, because scooting about is such a nice, relaxing thing to do in an outwardly-frenetic place.
We’d highly recommend it to anyone with a little bit of biking experience, as it’ll open up much more of Penang to you.
If you are in the midst of planning your trip to Penang, have a look at our three perfect days in Penang itinerary (which is ideal for renting a scooter!).
We hope you have the most fantastic time!
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Thank you, Claire + Nick
