License law
Riding a motorbike in Thailand legally requires a proper motorbike licence. Foreign visitors need an International Driving Permit (IDP) category A together with their home country licence. Without this you are riding illegally and your travel insurance will refuse to cover an accident.
Pattaya police run frequent checkpoints on Beach Road, Pratumnak Road and Thappraya Road. The fine for riding without a proper licence is 500 to 1,000 baht, plus another 400 to 500 baht if you are not wearing a helmet.
Price and recommended models
The Honda Click 125cc is the most popular rental at 200 to 300 baht per day, easy to ride and ideal for beginners. The Yamaha NMax 155cc runs 400 to 600 baht per day and is better for longer trips. Monthly rentals drop to 3,000 to 4,500 baht per month.
Big bikes such as the Kawasaki Ninja or Honda CBR 650 rent for 1,500 to 3,000 baht per day but require real experience and a proper licence. Good shops ask to see your IDP before renting, which is a sign you are dealing with a reputable business.
Inspection before renting
Inspect everything before paying: tyres, headlight, indicators, front and rear brakes, engine oil and every scratch on the body. Take photos and a walk-around video showing every scuff, and have the shop sign the inspection sheet.
If anything is off, ask for a different bike or simply walk to another shop. Do not compromise — some shops will later blame existing damage on you and demand tens of thousands of baht. Keep photos and video on your phone until the bike is safely returned.
Deposits and passports
Many Pattaya shops ask for your passport as a deposit. Never hand over your original passport — it can be used to hold you hostage if there is a dispute. Offer 3,000 to 5,000 baht cash or a photocopy of your passport instead.
If the shop insists on the original passport, walk away and find another one. Plenty of Pattaya shops accept cash or a copy — A.A. Bike Rental, Mr. Mechanic and several operators on Third Road are well-known reliable options.
Common scams
The most common trick is the "damage scam": the shop points at pre-existing scratches when you return the bike and demands 5,000 to 20,000 baht to "repair" them. Prevent it with photos and video of every angle before taking the bike, and by choosing shops with strong Google reviews.
The next most common is the "empty tank" trick. They hand you the bike with almost no fuel, forcing you to spend 100 to 200 baht immediately. It sounds small but it pushes the real price above the advertised rate.
Riding safely
Always wear a helmet, even for a short hop. Ride slowly in the rain — Pattaya roads get very slippery. Stay out of the right lane which is for fast traffic, and watch for songthaews that stop suddenly at the kerb. Never ride after drinking alcohol.
Save 1669 (ambulance) in your phone and buy travel insurance that explicitly covers motorbike riding. A serious accident can produce hospital bills of 500,000 to 1,000,000 baht — not a situation you want to face without cover.