Indonesian phrases for renting a scooter

Renting a scooter is how most people get around Bali and Lombok. Rental owners are friendly but deals are informal, so it pays to agree on everything out loud: price, deposit, damage, fuel. Indonesian is easy to pronounce — no tones, and words are read as written. Tap ▶ to listen.

Phrase · Pronunciation · Meaning · ▶ Listen

Agreeing the deal

Saya mau sewa motor.

SAH-yah mow SEH-wah MOH-tor

I want to rent a scooter.

Berapa sewanya per hari?

beh-RAH-pah seh-WAH-nyah per HAH-ree?

How much per day?

Kalau seminggu, berapa?

KAH-low seh-MING-goo, beh-RAH-pah?

How much for a week?

Bisa kurang sedikit?

BEE-sah KOO-rang seh-DEE-kit?

Can you lower it a little?

Ada deposit?

AH-dah deh-POH-sit?

Is there a deposit?

Saya tidak mau meninggalkan paspor.

SAH-yah TEE-dahk mow meh-ning-GAHL-kahn PAHS-por

I don't want to leave my passport.

Sudah termasuk helm?

SOO-dah ter-MAH-sook helm?

Is a helmet included?

Minta dua helm.

MIN-tah DOO-ah helm

Two helmets, please.

Checking the scooter

Saya foto dulu motornya, ya.

SAH-yah FOH-toh DOO-loo moh-TOR-nyah, yah

I'll take photos of the scooter first, OK?

Ini sudah lecet.

EE-nee SOO-dah LEH-chet

This scratch was already here.

Remnya bagus?

REM-nyah BAH-goos?

Do the brakes work well?

Bensinnya penuh?

ben-SIN-nyah peh-NOOH?

Is the tank full?

Kembalikan jam berapa?

kem-bah-LEE-kahn jahm beh-RAH-pah?

What time should I bring it back?

On the road

Pom bensin di mana?

pom ben-SIN dee MAH-nah?

Where's a petrol station?

Motor saya mogok.

MOH-tor SAH-yah MOH-gok

My scooter broke down.

Ban saya bocor.

bahn SAH-yah BOH-chor

I have a flat tyre.

Ada bengkel di dekat sini?

AH-dah BENG-kel dee deh-KAHT SEE-nee?

Is there a repair shop nearby?

Boleh parkir di sini?

BOH-leh PAR-keer dee SEE-nee?

Can I park here?

Ini SIM internasional saya.

EE-nee sim in-ter-nah-syoh-NAHL SAH-yah

This is my international driving permit.

Tips that save the situation

Take photos and a short video of the scooter from all sides before you ride away — it's the best protection against damage claims.
Avoid leaving your passport as a deposit; a cash deposit or a copy of the passport is common and safer.
Police checks are frequent: carry an international driving permit with a motorcycle category, your licence and the scooter papers (STNK), and always wear a helmet.
Fuel at petrol stations (Pertamina) is cheaper than the bottles sold at roadside stalls, but the bottles save you when the tank is empty.
Check if your travel insurance covers scooter accidents — many policies require a valid motorcycle licence.

When the phrasebook runs out

A phrasebook covers the first sentence. Then the other person answers — fast, with words that are not on the list. Sabai translates the whole conversation live: you speak, the phone says it in Indonesian, the other person replies into the same phone, and you read the answer in your language with a short explanation of what they meant.

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Questions

Is Indonesian the same as Balinese?

No, but everyone in Bali speaks Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), and it's the language for business and rentals.

Why do the phrases end with 'ya'?

'Ya' at the end softens a sentence, like 'OK?' in English. It makes requests sound friendly.

What if the owner explains the rules in fast Indonesian?

With Sabai they can speak into your phone and you read the translation in English straight away.

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Updated: 2026-10-12