Planning a trip to the French Riviera, Provence or a city break in Paris? A scooter is often the smartest way to get around: no parking headaches, no timetables, and the freedom to reach the coast or the back roads whenever you like. Renting one abroad does raise a few practical questions, though — which licence you need, 50cc versus 125cc, and where to actually pick one up. Here is everything a visitor needs, with a self-service option that skips the agency queue entirely.
Can you rent a scooter in France with a foreign licence?
In most cases, yes. What matters is the engine size and where your licence was issued.
- 50cc scooter (limited to 45 km/h): any valid driving licence lets you ride one during a tourist stay.
- 125cc scooter: you need an A1 category, or a car licence with the equivalent 125cc entitlement recognised in your home country. EU/EEA licences are accepted as they are; visitors from outside the EU (UK, US, Canada, Australia…) should carry an International Driving Permit alongside the original licence.
Not sure where you stand? Message us before booking and we will check together. For the full picture, see our guide on renting with a foreign licence in France.
50cc, 125cc or electric: which one for your trip?
The right pick depends less on the model than on what you want to do with it.
- 50cc: light and cheap, capped at 45 km/h — great for short hops around town, limited once you want to leave the city.
- 125cc: the all-rounder. Quick enough for city traffic and main roads, carries a passenger, and ideal for a day out to the Riviera hills or the calanques.
- Electric: silent and twist-and-go, perfect for city centres and low-emission zones — just keep an eye on range for longer rides.
Where to rent a scooter, self-service
This is where Good Motors changes the game: our two-wheelers are parked right in the city and at train stations, available 7 days a week and fully self-service. You book online, collect the keys on the day, and ride off — no agency, no queue, no opening hours.
- Nice — station, airport and the Promenade des Anglais; the natural base for the Côte d'Azur
- Marseille — for the Corniche and the calanques
- Paris — three station pick-up points (Montparnasse, Gare du Nord, Gare de Lyon Bastille)
- Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier, Lyon, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Biarritz
See every pick-up point in our full list of locations, and check what is available for your dates in the catalogue.
Prices and what is included
Rates start at €45 for 24 hours, all in. The price you see is the price you pay: insurance is included with a set mileage on each listing, and a helmet and gloves come with the bike (included on our larger models, a small add-on on the most accessible ones). A card pre-authorisation covers the deposit — the amount is held, then released when you return the scooter in good condition. It is not a charge.
Riding in France: a few things visitors should know
France rides beautifully, but a couple of rules differ from home.
- Ride on the right (UK and Australian visitors, take note).
- CE-approved gloves are mandatory for rider and passenger — a French rule that surprises almost everyone. We include or supply them.
- Petrol, never diesel.
- Low-emission zones (ZFE): some cities require a Crit'Air sticker; our recent and electric models ride there with no restriction.
In short
Renting a scooter in France comes down to picking the right size for your licence and your plans, then collecting it where it suits you best. With Good Motors self-service, your two-wheeler waits for you in the city or at the station — booked online, helmet and gloves ready, from €45/24h.
Book your ride now and set off the same day.
