How to Rent a Scooter
When looking for an inexpensive and fun way to get around on vacation, or anytime for that matter, look at renting a scooter. You can get 90 miles to the gallon on these hogs and it beats riding around in a smelly, overcharging taxi or walking miles on end. Here are a few things to look for when renting one.
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Instructions
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Rent scooters in urban or village areas. Most scooters aren't built for the highways which make them more feasible in areas where there isn't high speed traffic. Scooters are perfect for island getaways or honeymoons and many tourist locations have rentals around every corner. Most charge by the hour, day or even week and the longer the time you rent for, the cheaper it is.
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Have a valid drivers license available. Scooter shops in foreign countries may only accept their country's licenses. Most often though, scooter rental shops do accept any drivers license along with a passport. Some may not even ask for a license or ID, but it's always good to be prepared.
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Choose a good size scooter for the trip. Scooters with at least 50cc usually gets the job done, but if more speed is necessary then look for one with 100cc. Find out if a motorcycle license is required to operate the scooter, some larger scooters, such as the 150cc often requires the driver to have a current motorcycle license instead of just a regular driver's license.
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Determine what brand of scooter you want. Some popular choices offered by scooter rentals include TGB, Buddy and Honda models. TGB models often have room for a passenger, while many Buddy and Honda models are best for shorter rides.
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Opt for mobility scooters, if you're disabled or elderly and you're needing to get around during trips, conventions or anywhere there's a lot of walking. If staying at a hotel, call them beforehand and inquire if they rent them. See Additional Resources for more information on finding mobility scooters.
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Review rental policies and insurance information, if available. If insurance is offered, pay the extra few dollars to avoid the cost of an accident or theft of the scooter. Ask detailed questions at the rental shop prior to renting a scooter to make sure you've covered your basis.
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Tips & Warnings
Many scooter rental places also rent accessories, such as helmets and other protective gear.
SUV's, vans and even sedan-sized cars have trouble seeing scooters. As safety features are minimal on scooters, wear a helmet and drive defensively at all times.
Watch out for scooter scams. It's been known to happen: a scooter rental shop rents out scooters to nice people and steal it from the renter with a spare set of keys, forcing people to pay huge penalties.
