Birthday coming up late April, and this  is the year to renew my five year Thai Driving Licence. I have Voluntary First Class Insurance which is valid until September. I'm confused. I (think) I'm clear that the Land Transport Office are unwilling/reluctant  to renew until after my birthday (after expiry) and that renewal can be made any time within one year with no need to take a re-test. This forum confirms that belief.

 

But supposing:

I wait to renew the licence for say two to four weeks until after my birthday, (after the expiry date of the licence). During that time I have an accident. Depending on the severity of the accident, the Police (may) arrive, along with my insurance company assessor. First question they will ask is to see my driving licence - the expiry date of which has passed. Does that mean I have been driving illegally since my birthday? Does that mean my insurance will not settle any claim because my licence is past expiry date and insurance becomes void? 

Catch 22. Can't renew until after birthday, but after birthday licence has expired and could render insurance invalid and driving against the law!!

 

Another related question, please?

I will be 72, physically fit and in charge of my mental faculties, so expect no problem with taking the perception, reaction and colour blindness tests needed to renew my licence. But, can anyone confirm if there is an upper age limit prescribed by law in Thailand beyond which I would be prohibited from driving? Is there an age ceiling imposed by insurance companies?

 

Renewal can be done 3 months before expiry. At least that's what I typically do at DLT Morchit, Bangkok. My bike and car licences expire in different years, so I have to go to DLT twice each 5 years. Go now and they should renew. Be sure to get all the required paperwork; copies of passport and visa/extension, doctor's note, residency letter from either immigration or your embassy and to have watched the online video and received the required QR code.

 

If you go before your birthday, then you will lose 1 year of your new driver license. But you can renew your license of course before.

Another idea. You do your license 1 day after your birthday, and not use the car till you have the new license!

If you need the car, then do it before your birthday!