On most Koh Samui ATV tours you can drive your own quad from age 12, and confident 11 year olds can ride at one operator. Younger children join as passengers seated behind an adult, from as young as 4 at some camps. One operator, Orange Wave, is stricter and asks drivers to be 18. No driving licence is needed anywhere, because the trails are private, but every camp checks that a young rider can handle the quad before letting them lead.
Across the island the standard minimum for driving your own ATV is 12. The quads are fully automatic and the trails are guided, so a sensible 12 year old can ride safely, but every camp runs a short ability check first (more on that below). The two exceptions are worth knowing:
Everywhere else, 12 is the line. There is no upper age limit: as long as you are in reasonable health and comfortable on the controls, older riders are welcome.
Here is the full picture for all eight operators, so you can match the camp to your group. "Passenger" means a child riding seated behind an adult driver on the same quad.
| Operator | Drive your own quad | Ride as a passenger |
|---|---|---|
| X-Quad Samui | 11+ | 10+ |
| Jungle Quad | 12+ | 4+ |
| Trail Blazers | 12+ | 4+ |
| Samui X-Treme | 12+ | 4+ |
| Samui Quad Motor | 12+ (after ability test) | 5+ |
| Green Mountain | 12+ | 6+ |
| Wild Action | 12+ | Solo riding only |
| Orange Wave | 18+ | 8+ |
The one to note for families is Wild Action, which runs single-rider quads only and takes no passengers, so it does not suit young children. For everyone else, the younger the passenger age, the better it works for a family with small kids.
Age is only half the story. Every operator runs a short practice ride at the base before the tour, on a flat area away from the trail, and the guide watches how you handle the throttle, the brakes and the steering. For an adult this is a two minute warm up. For a young rider it is a real check: the guide has to be happy the child can control the quad before letting them out onto the mountain track.
What this means in practice:
No. None of the Koh Samui ATV camps ask for a car or motorbike licence, because the tours run on private jungle and mountain trails, not public roads. The quads are automatic, so there are no gears to learn either. This is the main reason ATV tours suit complete beginners and younger riders who could never legally ride a scooter on the road here. For the full explanation, see our ATV licence guide.
Age is not the only limit. An ATV tour is a physical activity on rough ground, so the operators ask a few health questions too. Riding is not recommended if you are pregnant, or if you have back, neck or heart problems or another serious medical condition, whether you drive or ride as a passenger. Alcohol before or during the tour is not allowed, for obvious reasons. There is usually a weight guideline of around 140 kg per rider, and if you are unsure the camp will advise when you book. If anything feels uncomfortable on the trail, tell the guide rather than push on. These are leisure rides, and the guides put safety first.
If you are travelling with kids, the passenger age is the number that matters most. Three camps take passengers from age 4:
Green Mountain (passengers from 6) is another strong family pick, with a small passenger add-on price rather than a second full fare. For a young child, always take the shorter 1 or 2 hour tour and book the morning slot, when it is cooler. Compare all the family options side by side on our comparison page.
12 at most operators, and 11 at X-Quad Samui for a confident child who passes the practice ride. Orange Wave is the exception at 18. Every camp runs a short ability check before letting a young rider lead. Checked July 2026.
Yes, as passengers seated behind an adult driver. Jungle Quad, Trail Blazers and Samui X-Treme take passengers from age 4, Samui Quad Motor from 5, Green Mountain from 6 and Orange Wave from 8. Wild Action is the only operator that does not take passengers, as it runs single-rider quads.
No. The tours run on private trails, not public roads, so no car or motorbike licence is needed. The quads are automatic, which is why ATV tours suit beginners and younger riders. See our licence guide for the full detail.
Usually yes, at every operator except Orange Wave. The guide first watches them on a short practice ride at the base and has to be satisfied they can control the quad. A nervous or very small child may be asked to ride as a passenger instead, which is the guide's call on the day.
No upper age limit. Older riders are welcome as long as they are in reasonable health and comfortable with the controls. Riding is not recommended for pregnant travellers or anyone with back, neck or heart problems.
Jungle Quad, Trail Blazers or Samui X-Treme, all of which take passengers from age 4. Jungle Quad also has the island's best reviews. Take a shorter 1 or 2 hour tour and book the morning slot when riding with young children.