Thailand weighs tougher fitness checks for older drivers, rules out cancelling lifetime licences

Thailand is considering stricter physical fitness requirements for people aged 55 and above applying for new driving licences, while transport officials have ruled out compulsory cancellation of existing lifetime licences.

The review remains a proposal rather than an announced change to licensing rules. According to Nation Thailand, officials are also considering studying voluntary licence-surrender schemes overseas, including Japan’s approach of offering public transport benefits to older motorists who give up their licences.

Additional checks under discussion

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the increasing proportion of road accidents involving older drivers was a growing concern. He cited incidents in which elderly motorists had driven cars into U-turn areas intended for motorcycles and become stuck, as well as concerns about older people riding electric motorcycles on public roads.

Siripong said these situations required discussion and appropriate solutions. Existing regulations already require applicants aged 55 and above to undergo physical fitness assessments when seeking a new driving licence, following technical recommendations intended to improve road safety.

The question now is whether further criteria should be added to those requirements. The report did not set out a final package of additional tests.

Siripong said authorities would first need to discuss the suitability of a voluntary surrender scheme. He also stressed that the approach would not involve compulsory withdrawal of lifetime licences or an additional burden on the public.

Lifetime licence holders retain their rights

Sorapong Paitoonphong, director-general of the Department of Land Transport, separately confirmed that the department had no plans to abolish lifetime driving licences.

Existing holders can continue to use those licences legally, with their current rights protected. The department has more than 11 million lifetime driving licences on its records nationwide.

For motorists, the important distinction is between holding an existing lifetime licence and applying for a new licence. Officials said the physical fitness testing requirement concerns new applications; they did not announce a blanket reassessment of lifetime licence holders.

Any voluntary surrender arrangement would therefore be separate from the proposed review of fitness criteria for new applicants. Neither measure should be read as an announced requirement for lifetime licence holders to give up their entitlement to drive.

Road safety seminar to consider the issue

Older-driver safety will be among the subjects discussed at the 17th Thailand Road Safety Seminar, scheduled for November 19–20 at IMPACT Forum in Muang Thong Thani under the theme “Unlocking Safe Cities”.

The discussions will examine possible responses to the safety concerns raised by officials. For now, the stated position is that lifetime licences remain valid, while any additional fitness criteria or voluntary surrender incentives still require consideration.