Read on to learn more.
Dear Traveller and Rider,
Thank you for visiting our blog! This post will provide some helpful tips for renting a scooter or motorcycle in Corfu. We will cover what factors you should consider before renting, things to take note of during the rental process, and the pick-up time. Your time is valuable, so we have kept this post brief. We hope you find it useful!
Tips for Renting a Scooter or Motorcycle in Corfu content list:
Scooter Rental Companies in Corfu
Many scooter rental companies in Corfu offer a wide range of scooters and motorcycles to rent.
In each main resort area, travelers can find a couple of scooter or car rental company offices serving the specific area. You can either book your scooter with them onsite when there or prebook your scooter rental online from your preferred company and request an airport delivery or a delivery service to your accommodation or pick up your scooter from their office! Some hotels offer a concierge service, considering that you might be paying an additional concierge fee when you don't book directly and book your scooter via a third party.
The most common available cubic engine capacities are :
50cc (One can drive them with a Car driving license or a moped category, European B or AM)
125cc (a motorcycle class driving license is required, European A1 or A2 or A )
150cc (a motorcycle class driving license is needed, European A2 or A )
200cc (a motorcycle class driving license is required, European A2 or A )
300cc (a motorcycle class driving license is required, European A2 or A )
💡 Insider tip: If you plan to rent a 50cc scooter and ride with a pillion passenger, please consider that you must avoid driving in areas with steep hills (the pillion passenger will have to step off the scooter and walk).
What to consider before deciding to rent a scooter or a motorcycle
Ensure that the driver has the appropriate driving experience. If the driver has driven just a few times, it is not a good idea to start practicing in a foreign country.
Why does that make driving more dangerous in a foreign country?
a) The driver is unfamiliar with the roads or the conditions of the routes he will follow.
b) In tourist destinations during tourist season, there tends to be a lot of traffic in areas not designed to accommodate it.
c) Unfortunately, some tourists may drive under the influence of alcohol or attempt to operate a two-wheel scooter (especially 50cc - 100cc) without any prior experience.
d)When driving in Corfu, particularly in the countryside, be aware that the roads feature steep inclines and declines. These roads can be relatively narrow and are not well-maintained. During the summer, there tends to be a lot of traffic, so you may have to stop on an uphill or downhill. If the driver lacks experience, navigating these roads can be challenging and dangerous.
e)It is not advisable to begin practicing riding with a passenger during vacation if the driver lacks experience. As previously mentioned, there are several reasons for this.
The factors mentioned above can increase the likelihood of accidents happening.
2. Before renting a scooter or a motorcycle, ensure the driver possesses the appropriate driver's license and that the driving license complies with the laws of your vacation destination - Greece. View the legal driving license requirements to drive a scooter or motorcycle in Greece here.
3. Check the terms and conditions, especially the available insurance plans, the cancellation policy and the rental inclusions.
The basic rental fee should always include third-party insurance. Some rental companies have extra insurance plans that offer full coverage (this plan might be available for older scooters or not-so-expensive models) or reduce your excess amount.
4. Confirm whether you will be booking the exact model you see - book or if the company might provide you with a similar one.
5. Ensure that the driver's age and years of driving experience comply with the rental company's insurance policy. Each rental company has different insurance contracts.
6. Take a few minutes to read the verified feedback of other travellers who have used this company's service before. If a company claims extensive experience in a scooter or motorcycle rental, but their reviews don't support it, it could be a warning sign; this may indicate that they frequently change their company name or delete their business profile.
During renting a scooter or a motorcycle + pick-up time.
Please specify the timeframe for returning the rented scooter --motorcycle
Confirm the details of the insurance plan, especially what happens if you cause any damage to your rental vehicle.
Clarify the company's fuel policy.
Check when and how the company will return the security deposit.
Knowing what to do in case of an incident is crucial. If the rental company prohibits you from contacting the police, it may be a red flag.
Before riding your scooter or motorcycle, inspect it for any scratches or damages. Remember to check underneath the scooter as well. As soon as you've given your rental- vehicle, use your phone or camera to photograph every part of the scooter.
If you notice any damage or scratches, inform the rental company and take photos of each blemish. Keep in mind that if the scooter is polished and shiny, it may be challenging to capture the scratches, so be thorough and take multiple photos. Photos are an excellent way to show any pre-existing damage if the rental company questions whether you scratched the paint or broke any pieces.
Check the brakes. Do the brakes work? Test them before leaving. If the brakes touch the handles without being squeezed, ask for a different scooter.
Check the tires manufacture date. The first two numbers identify the week, and the last two numbers identify the year of manufacture.
Check the lights. Test the turn indicators, high beams, and gauges.
Check the ignition. Is the ignition damaged? Does the scooter turn on?
Additional safety tips as a friendly reminder:
In Greece, it is mandatory to wear a helmet when driving!
Always follow the road signs and the speed limits.
With so many tourists and small villages, ideally, it would be a slow drive everywhere on the island.
Remember to wear sturdy closed shoes and long-sleeved clothing! Always wear sunscreen when riding during the daytime!
Google Maps are the only accurate maps to follow, but sometimes, even Google Maps might share misleading directions.
For extra tips, visit our post: "Important Vespa Scooter Rental & Scooter Driving Tips You Need to Know while in Corfu."
We hope that the information shared here will help you decide whether you should or shouldn't rent a scooter or a motorcycle for your holiday. We also hope our tips will assist you in feeling well-prepared when picking up your scooter or motorcycle and confident, knowing that it is acceptable to double-check and confirm all the details before proceeding.
We wish you safe and pleasant rides!
Yours Sincerely,
Katerina
If you need more information to decide if you should choose to rent a car, a moped, a scooter, an ATV or a bicycle during your holiday time in Corfu, you can read our post: "To Rent or Not to Rent: Corfu Choosing the Ideal - Best Vehicle to Rent - Bicycle, Car, Moped, Scooter, Motorcycle, or ATV?" We believe this post will help you have a clear view of what each rental option offers!