Obtaining a driving licence in Singapore is not a complicated procedure. You must first pass the theory test followed by a practical driving test. Keeping in mind the percentage of foreigners and their increasing numbers in the city, simplified foreign licence conversion procedures have been established. Singapore has fairly strict traffic rules and regulations and follows Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS).
This guide provides details on the procedures required for obtaining a licence in Singapore, statutory requirements and foreign licence conversion procedures.
Who should obtain a Singapore Driving Licence?
To be able to drive in Singapore, the following categories of persons who are above 18 years of age must obtain a valid Singapore driving licence:
- Singapore citizens
- Singapore Permanent Residents
- Foreigners who are residing in Singapore for more than 12 months
Foreigners residing for less than 12 months in Singapore must hold a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by an authorised body in their country of origin, in order to drive here. If an International Driving Permit is not available, a foreign licence (officially translated into English) is necessary. Short Term Social Visit Pass holders may drive with their foreign licence for up to 12 months each time they enter into Singapore.
Classes of driving licence
There are various categories of driving licences issued, depending on various classes of motor vehicles. The most common classes are:
- Class 3A - Cars without clutch pedals
- Class 3 - Cars with clutch pedals
For the complete list of classes of licence, click here.
Procedure for obtaining a new driving licence (Class 3/3A - Cars)
If you wish to obtain a Class 3 Qualified Driving Licence (QDL) in Singapore you must be 18 years of age and you are strongly advised to enroll with a driving school. The procedure to obtain a licence involves the following steps:
- appear for and pass the Basic Driving Theory Test (BTT)
- get a Provisional Driving Licence (PDL) and attend driving lessons
- appear for and pass the Final Driving Theory Test (FTT)
- pass the Practical Driving Test
Basic Driving Theory Test (BTT)
- The first step to obtaining a licence is to pass the BTT - a 50 minutes computer based test of multiple choice questions on Singapore's traffic regulations and traffic signs and signals.
- The official Handbook on the Basic Theory Test (available in bookstores and driving schools) is the prescribed reading material.
- In order to book a BTT date, you will first need to open an account with any one of the driving centres (which are also authorised test centres) mentioned below. The account validity is up to 6 months.
- On opening an account, you may book for the BTT either in person or online on the specific driving centre's website. The test fee is SGD 6.00. Your identity card (NRIC), Passport, Employment Pass or Work Permit will be required for booking the test date.
- Your identity card or Passport, Employment Pass or Immigration Pass and Basic Theory booking slip/receipt will be required before you can take the test.
- Test results will be known immediately upon test completion.
- The BTT result is valid for life.
Provisional Driving Licence (PDL) and driving lessons
- The Provisional Driving Licence (PDL) is a licence, which allows you to learn driving on public roads with a qualified driving instructor.
- You should apply for your Class 3 Provisional Driving Licence (PDL) once you have passed your BTT and before going for your practical driving lessons.
- Applications must be done in person at the Traffic Police Dept, located at the above mentioned Driving Centres.
- You will need to furnish your Basic Theory Test result slip and identity card or Passport and work permit/ or Employment Pass (as applicable) and a fee of SGD 25.
- An eye-sight check which includes a color blindness test will be conducted before the PDL is issued to you.
- The PDL is valid for six months and can be renewed for SGD 25 at any Singapore Post Office.
- During this provisional period you can proceed with your practical driving lessons by enrolling in any of the above mentioned driving schools or engaging a private driving instructor. You must take note of the following.
- Your instructor must be a qualified one who is licensed by the Singapore Traffic Police.
- The vehicle you are learning in should display two 18cm square 'L' plates, in a conspicuous position on both the front and back of your vehicle as well as be insured against third-party risk and driving tuition.
Final Driving Theory Test (FTT)
- Once you are confident of taking the practical driving test you must appear for and pass the computer based Final Driving Theory Test (FTT) which will test your knowledge on the safety aspects and proper techniques of driving.
- The Handbook on the Advanced Theory of Driving (available in book stores and driving centres) is the prescribed reading material.
- You must book a FTT date with the driving centre you have previously opened an account with. If your account has expired (account validity is until 6 months from the date of application), you will need to renew your account with the driving centre. On account renewal, you may book for the FTT either in person or online on the specific driving centre's website
- Your identity card (NRIC), Passport, Employment Pass or Work Permit and Passed BTT Notification Slip will be required for booking the test date. The test fee is SGD 6.00.
- Test results will be known immediately upon test completion.
- The FTT result is only valid for a period of two years from the date you pass.
Practical Driving Test (PDT)
- Once you have passed the FTT and have undergone reasonable practical training, you can appear for the Practical Driving Test.
- Your driving school / private driving instructor will be able to advise when to sit for the test and do the necessary booking on your behalf. A booking fee of SGD 20 will apply. At the time of booking the following documents will be required:
- NRIC (Singaporean/Permanent Resident) or Passport & Work Permit/Employment Pass (Foreigner)
- Valid Final Theory Test (FTT) pass notification result
- Valid Provisional Driving Licence (PDL)
- Upon booking, you will be given a receipt indicating time, date & venue of the test
- The PDT will be conducted by a Driving Examiner appointed by the Traffic Police and you must provide a motor vehicle which is suitable for the test, in good mechanical condition and properly insured.
- On the day of the test date, you must submit your:
- NRIC (Singaporean/Permanent Resident) or Passport & Work Permit/Employment Pass (Foreigner)
- Valid Final Theory Test (FTT) pass notification result
- Valid Provisional Driving Licence (PDL)
- Valid student training record
- Test Fee receipt
- Valid vehicle insurance certificate
- The PDT consists of two parts. The first part tests your skills on a driving circuit. The second part tests your ability to interact safely with other road users and how you comply with and observe traffic rules and regulations. It is conducted on the public roads.
- During the test your driving performance will be assessed against a checklist of driving errors. If you commit any serious mistakes, you fails the test immediately. For the less serious mistakes you will accumulate penalty points ranging from 2 to 10 for each mistake. If you accumulate penalty points in excess of a predetermined number of points you fail the test. Whether or not you succeed in your driving test, the checklist used for the test will be given to you at the end of the test so that you can learn from your mistakes.
- If you fail the test, you can book for a retest immediately after booking for 2 compulsory revision lessons.
- Once you pass the test you can apply for the driving licence at your driving centre for a fee of SGD 50. You will receive your licence within 1 month from the date of your application.
- The driving licences issued to citizens and permanent residents of Singapore are valid for life with no expiry date, while those issued to foreigners are valid for a period of up to 5 years.
- Your licence will be revoked if you accumulate more than 12 demerit points within a 12 month period from the date of issue of your licence.
Conversion of Foreign Driving Licence
Who should convert foreign licence to Singapore licence?
A foreigner above 18 years of age and holding a Work Pass/Dependent Pass/Student Pass may drive in Singapore with a valid (class 3, 3A or 2B) foreign licence, for a period of not more than 12 months. A Singapore driving licence is required after 12 months.
Foreign licence conversion is only granted for class 2B and class 3 qualified driving licences (Refer to classification of licences above). Learner driving licence may not be converted.
The foreign licence should have been issued for a minimum of 6 months and must be valid at the time of conversion.
Conversion procedure
You must appear for and pass the Basic Theory Test (BTT). Overseas theory test results are not considered. For more information on BTT, please refer to Driving Licence Procedure above. On passing the BTT you must apply for conversion at the Traffic Police Driving Test Center counters (in the driving centres) in person, with the following documents. A fee of SGD 50 will apply.
- Original and a photocopy of your passport and NRIC/Entry Permit/Employment Pass/Dependant Pass/Social Visit Pass/Work Permit
- Original and a photocopy of your valid Qualified Foreign Driving Licence
- Passport sized photograph
- Additional documentation is required for Malaysian licence holders, Singaporeans studying or employed overseas for one year or more. For details, click here.
Note: If your existing foreign licence is not in English, you are required to have an International Driving Permit in addition to the foreign driving licence. If an International Driving Permit is not available, an official translation of your driving licence in English is required. You may obtain translation from the relevant Embassy, High Commission, the Singapore Subordinate Court or the Singapore High Court. Translation is not required for licences issued by Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Once the licence is issued to you (approximately within two weeks of making an application), you will be placed on probation for one year. You should not accumulate more than 12 demerit points during this period. If you do, Traffic Police may revoke your licence. You are required to display the Probation Plate during the probationary period of 1 year.
