Greece Scooter License: Requirements for Rhodes Rentals 2025

Many travelers are surprised – or even frustrated – when they find out they can’t rent the scooter they’ve booked. Some feel it’s unfair. Others think the rules are outdated or too strict.

Let’s clear the air.

At fortunascooter.com, we believe in full transparency. That’s why we’ve put together this detailed guide to help you understand:

• Which driving license you need in Greece
• Common misunderstandings (e.g. 125cc with a car license)
• What happens if the wrong license is presented
• Why these rules protect you – and us

📋 Driving License Requirements in Greece

These requirements are based on Greek law and insurance company policies – not the rules of your home country.

⚠️ Provisional, learner, or expired licenses are not accepted.
⚠️ Car licenses (B) are not valid for 125cc or larger scooters, even if you’ve ridden one before – in your country or elsewhere.

❗ Common Misunderstanding: “I Can Ride 125cc at Home – So Why Not in Greece?”

In some countries (e.g. France, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic), holding a car license (category B) for several years allows you to ride a 125cc scooter legally.

However, in Greece, this is not allowed – unless:

• Your car license is issued in Greece, and
• It includes Code 121 in field 12

This is the only legal exception.

✅ Even if your home country allows 125cc riding with a B license, you cannot rent or ride a 125cc scooter in Greece without a proper motorcycle license.

🛡️ Why the Rules Are Even Stricter for Rentals

The rules for renting a scooter are not just based on traffic law – they are also shaped by insurance company requirements.

Across Europe (not just in Greece), rental use is treated very differently from private use. Here’s why:

• Insurance companies set separate requirements for rental vehicles
• Coverage depends on the driver’s age and license category
• You can legally drive a car at 18, but most rental companies set higher minimum ages (e.g. 21 or 23)
• Even if your license might technically allow private riding in some situations, you may still not qualify for a rental due to insurance exclusions

Rental scooters are not privately owned vehicles – and must follow stricter, insurance-backed rules.

📍 Why We Must Verify Every License on Delivery

Every rental scooter must be insured, and insurance is only valid if the driver holds the correct license.

If someone rides without the correct license:

• The scooter is not insured
• The rider risks high fines or arrest
• We as the rental company risk vehicle seizure and legal consequences

That’s why we check every license carefully at delivery – no exceptions.

💰 What Happens If the License Is Incorrect?

Unfortunately, this situation happens more often than you’d think:

• The scooter is prepared and delivered
• Our team travels to your hotel for handover
• The license is checked and found to be invalid
• The vehicle cannot be rented and must be returned

In these cases, the 20% deposit is non-refundable. This helps us cover:

• Transportation and staff time
• Lost rental income for the day
• Administrative coordination

We don’t profit from this – we simply avoid a bigger loss.

😅 A Word on “Bad Service”, “Fraud”, and Threats of Reviews

We’ve been called things like:

• “Criminals”
• “Scammers”
• “Unfriendly”
• “Unflexible”

Some customers even threaten lawsuits or bad reviews – just because we follow the law.

Let’s be honest:
🚫 Not handing over a scooter illegally isn’t “bad service” – it’s responsible business.

We’re always polite and professional, but we must stay firm when it comes to safety, legality, and insurance compliance.

If treating people with respect is a two-way street, then we enjoy travelling it. With a required driving licence. 😎

🤝 We Don’t Want to Exclude Anyone – We Just Follow the Law

Here’s what we can do to help:

• Offer 50cc scooters for car license holders
• Suggest alternative vehicles or reschedule if needed
• Provide a full refund for cancellations made more than 48 hours in advance

All we ask: Please provide accurate license information when you book.

🌍 Do I Need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

✅ You DO NOT need an IDP if your license is from:

• Any EU country
• UK, USA, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein
• Other Vienna Convention countries: Albania, Belarus, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ghana, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Morocco, Serbia, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela

❗ You DO need an IDP if:

• Your license is not from a listed country above
• Your license is printed in a non-Roman alphabet (Arabic, Cyrillic, Japanese, etc.)

⚠️ Reminder: An IDP is only valid when presented together with your original national license.

💡 Final Advice: Check Before You Book

To avoid disappointment at delivery:

• 📷 Send us a photo of your license in advance
• 📬 We’ll quickly let you know what you’re allowed to rent

🤝 It’s always better to be sure than sorry!

✅ Summary

• ✔ Greek law and insurance policies determine rental eligibility
• ✔ A1 / A2 / A licenses are needed for 125cc scooters and above
• ✔ Car licenses (B) are not valid for 125cc+, unless Greek with code 121
• ✔ Insurance sets minimum age limits for rentals (e.g. 21 or 23)
• ✔ We verify all licenses at handover – no exceptions
• ✔ If your license is invalid, the deposit is non-refundable
• ✔ Contact us early – we’ll help you find the right scooter for your license!