Renting a scooter or car is the main way independent travellers get around Phuket, given the island has no train or metro system.
What you legally need
An International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your home licence, with the correct category for the vehicle you're renting. Riding on a tourist's home licence alone is common in practice but leaves insurance claims vulnerable to being voided after an accident.
Insurance reality
Rental shop "insurance" is frequently minimal or informal. Checking whether your travel insurance policy covers scooter accidents — and whether it requires a valid IDP and helmet use to pay out — matters more than most travellers realise until something goes wrong.
Cars vs scooters
Scooters are cheaper and easier to park but expose riders directly in Phuket's dense holiday-season traffic and steep, winding hill roads. A rental car costs more but suits families, longer distances, or travellers uncomfortable riding in unfamiliar conditions.
Fuel and returning the vehicle
Most rentals expect the vehicle returned with the same fuel level it was given — small roadside fuel stalls selling by the bottle are common and fine for scooters, but a proper petrol station is worth the extra few minutes for a fuller tank.
Deposits
Some rental shops hold a passport as a deposit rather than cash or a card — this is common practice but carries genuine risk if a dispute arises, since it puts you in a weaker negotiating position. A cash or credit card deposit, where offered as an option, is generally the safer choice.