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Driving in Singapore

Driving licence guide

Convert a foreign licence, prepare for BTT/FTT, train at authorised centres, find maps and official documents — plus free Myanmar community helpers.

Rules and fees change. Always confirm on the Traffic Police and LTA pages linked below before you pay or book.

1. Can you drive on a foreign licence?

If you stay under about 12 months, you may drive on a valid foreign licence (plus an International Driving Permit or official English translation if the licence is not in English).
If your pass is for 12 months or more (most Work Permits, S Pass, EP), Traffic Police expect you to convert to a Singapore licence — do not keep driving on the foreign one past the allowed period.
ASEAN-issued licences often do not need an IDP for short stays, but conversion still applies for long-term pass holders. Check the official Traffic Police page for your case.
Conversion usually requires age 18+, a valid unexpired foreign licence, and passing the Basic Theory Test (BTT) in Singapore.

2. Convert a foreign licence (most pass holders)

Typical path after you already hold a licence from your home country:

1Enrol at one of the three authorised driving centres and pass the Basic Theory Test (BTT).
2Prepare passport, work/long-term pass, foreign licence, photo, and any translation or residency proof Traffic Police asks for.
3Complete the Foreign Licence Pre-assessment on the Traffic Police e-service. Eligible applicants receive a link to book.
4Book and attend your appointment at Traffic Police Headquarters (10 Ubi Avenue 3). Bring originals — incomplete files are rejected.
5Pay the conversion fee (about S$50; confirm current amount on the official page). Keep the receipt; your Singapore licence is usually posted after approval.

Work Permit and S Pass holders who convert often receive a Class 3C licence for standard cars. Exact class depends on Traffic Police rules and your foreign licence — confirm at submission.

3. Documents to prepare

Traffic Police may ask for more. Bring originals and photocopies where possible.

Passport and current work / long-term pass (and FIN card if you have one).
Valid foreign driving licence (not expired, suspended, or cancelled).
If the licence is not in English: International Driving Permit or official English translation from an authorised translator / embassy.
Recent passport-size photo (matte/semi-matte, white background, usually within 3 months).
If you got the foreign licence after your first Singapore pass or PR: proof of about 6 months’ stay in the country that issued the licence.
Work Permit holders may need MOM employment history printouts — follow the Traffic Police checklist.

4. Theory & practical tests

These are the main Traffic Police tests you will hear about. Exact fees change — check your centre and the official pages.

Basic Theory Test (BTT) — traffic rules and signs. Required for foreign-licence conversion and before a Provisional Driving Licence (PDL).
Final Theory Test (FTT) — deeper rules for learners before the practical test (class-dependent).
Riding Theory Test (RTT) — for motorcycle classes (e.g. Class 2B) instead of / in addition to car theory paths.
Practical driving / riding test — on-road assessment after lessons and theory. Pass before you get a Qualified Driving Licence (QDL).
Book tests through your driving centre’s website or counter. Bring FIN/pass and follow their photo / eye-check rules.

5. Pass marks & scoring

Know the score you need before you book a test. Centres follow Traffic Police standards.

BTT and FTT: pass mark is usually 90% — at least 45 correct out of 50 questions.
Typical theory format: 50 multiple-choice questions in about 45 minutes (confirm on your booking slip).
Practical driving test: examiners award demerit points for mistakes. Too many demerit points = fail (centres often cite a fail around 20 demerit points — confirm with your instructor).
After you pass FTT, you usually must pass the practical car test within 2 years, or you retake FTT.
After you pass RTT (motorcycle), you usually must pass the practical riding test within 1 year, or you retake RTT.

Conversion applicants who only need BTT still follow the same BTT pass mark. Always re-check your centre’s current rules on test day.

6. Common licence classes (cars & bikes)

Class names appear on your Singapore licence. Confirm what your foreign licence maps to at conversion.

Class 3 — manual cars (and usually autos) under the older full Class 3 rules for eligible pass types.
Class 3A — automatic cars only (common for many EP/DP conversions when the foreign licence was automatic).
Class 3C — often issued to Work Permit / S Pass holders on conversion for standard motorcars; confirm with Traffic Police.
Class 2B — motorcycles up to 200cc (separate enrolment, RTT and practical bike test).

7. No foreign licence? Learner path

If you never held a licence, you train at an authorised centre. Exact packages differ by centre.

1Enrol at BBDC, CDC, or SSDC and pass eyesight / medical checks as required.
2Pass BTT, then apply for a Provisional Driving Licence (PDL) via Traffic Police before on-road lessons.
3Complete practical lessons and pass the Final Theory Test (FTT) when required for your class.
4Pass the practical driving test for your class (e.g. Class 3 / 3A car, or Class 2B motorcycle).
5Apply for your Qualified Driving Licence (QDL) after you pass — fees and postal delivery follow Traffic Police instructions.

8. Training tips (before you pay a big package)

Authorised centres sell theory + practical packages. Compare carefully.

Compare BBDC, CDC and SSDC for location, language support, and package price — not only the cheapest online ad.
Use centre e-trial / practice papers for BTT (and FTT/RTT if needed). Passing BTT does not by itself finish conversion.
Ask how many practical hours are included, cancellation fees, and whether an instructor who speaks your language is available.
Expect separate line items: enrolment, theory tests, PDL, practical lessons, practical test, QDL fee. Totals differ by centre and class.
Keep every receipt and login to your centre account. You may need proof if a booking is disputed.

9. Demerit points (DIPS) & new-driver probation

Singapore uses the Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS). Points add up for traffic offences and can suspend or revoke your licence.

Each scheduled offence adds demerit points. Stay offence-free long enough and points can be cleared under Traffic Police rules.
New Class 2B / 3 / 3A / 3C / 3CA drivers are usually on probation for 1 year from the date the licence is granted.
During probation you must display the Probation (P) plate front and rear. Missing plates can mean a fine; repeat offences in probation can revoke the licence.
Probation drivers (current rule): about 13 or more demerit points in the 1-year probation → licence can be revoked. You may need to wait 1 year before retaking all tests.
Non-probation drivers with no prior suspension (current rule): about 24 or more demerit points within 24 months → liable for suspension (first suspension often about 12 weeks).
From 1 Jan 2027, Traffic Police plans stricter thresholds (reports: ~18 points in 24 months for non-probation; ~12 for probation). Confirm nearer the date on official pages.
Check your points anytime via SPF “Check Driver Improvement Points” (Singpass). After revocation you must retake required theory and practical tests.

Demerit thresholds and suspension lengths change. Treat numbers here as a study guide — verify on SPF / BTT handbook before you drive.

10. Common fines & demerit examples (light vehicles)

Examples of demerit points and typical composition fines for light vehicles. Heavy vehicles often cost more. Court cases can be higher.

Not wearing a seatbelt — often about 3–4 demerit points and around S$150 composition fine (confirm current schedule).
Speeding about 1–20 km/h over limit — often about 4 demerit points and around S$150.
Speeding about 21–30 km/h over — often about 6 demerit points and a higher fine (commonly cited around S$200+).
Beating a red light — often about 12 demerit points and a substantial fine (commonly cited around S$200–S$400+). Alone this can revoke a probation licence.
Using a handheld phone while driving — often about 12 demerit points plus fine. Hands-free rules still apply — check the current law.
Failing to signal / some signalling offences — lower demerit or fine-only in some schedules; still ticketed.
Exact demerit + fine pairs are in the official DIPS schedule inside the Basic Theory handbook. Do not rely on WhatsApp screenshots.

Fines and points are set by Traffic Police and can change. This list is for awareness only — not legal advice and not a full offence schedule.

11. Driving centres & Traffic Police — maps

Open in Google Maps. Book tests on each centre’s website, not only by walking in.

12. Vocational licences (Grab / taxi / bus)

A normal Class 3 licence is not enough to drive for hire. Vocational licences are separate and have strict eligibility.

New Private Hire (PDVL) and Taxi (TDVL) licences are for Singapore citizens only (age and experience rules also apply). Most Work Permit / S Pass / EP holders cannot apply for a new PDVL to drive Grab or similar.

PDVL (private hire / chauffeured car): Singapore citizen, typically age 30+, valid Class 3/3A for more than 1 year — confirm on LTA OneMotoring / GoBusiness.
TDVL (taxi): also restricted to Singapore citizens with LTA training and checks.
Some bus vocational paths (e.g. omnibus) may allow Work Permit holders whose vocation is bus driver — only if your employer and LTA allow it. Never assume; check OneMotoring.
Before paying any “agent” who promises a Grab licence for foreigners, read the official LTA / GoBusiness pages linked below.

13. Official documents, tests & training links

Bookings, PDF checklists, centre foreign-conversion pages, and LTA vocational info.

Common expensive mistakes

Driving on a foreign licence after you should have converted — fines and insurance problems.
Going to Traffic Police without a passed BTT — you will be turned away.
Bringing a non-English licence without IDP or certified translation.
Paying someone who claims Work Permit holders can get a new Grab/PDVL licence — that is usually false.
Following old blog fees or steps — always re-check official pages on the day you apply.
Paying a middleman who promises to “skip” BTT or TP appointment — you still must follow official steps.
Ignoring demerit letters or driving without a P-plate in probation — easy way to lose a new licence.

This page is general guidance only. Traffic Police and LTA set the real rules, fees, and eligibility. Confirm every step on their websites before you spend money or take leave from work.

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