Driving in Singapore

Driving in Singapore: getting your licence

Would Elmo pass his (her?!) driving test?

You’re allowed to drive on Singapore roads using the driving licence of your home country for up to 12 months (this was due to be reduced to six months in 2015 but doesn't yet seem to have been implemented). You’ll then be required to convert your foreign licence by taking the Basic Theory Test.

Here’s our step by step guide to driving in Singapore:

You would think that there would be one simple process to follow. After all, Singapore is a bureaucrat's dream. However, there are several ways to enroll and you can choose from one of three driving test centres (Bukit Batok, Woodlands or Kampong Ubi). They each have a different process, so don’t get caught out enrolling with one and doing the test with another, as you’ll have to enroll again. Ring the test centre beforehand to check what you need for registration. All the details can be found here.

You can no longer register online at the Woodlands’ Singapore Safety Driving Centre (www.ssdcl.com.sg).
At the Bukit Batok Driving Centre you'll need to visit the centre to enrol. To do this you'll need your employment/dependent's pass and a NETS card for the admin fee of S$11.35. They don't take cash or other cards. You can then book your Basic Theory Test.

It's a bit of a process, which could be standardised and streamlined. It's also annoying that it doesn't seem to improve the driving here. Two buses tried to wipe me off my bike only this morning. It is however a necessary step if you want to buy or lease a car, so you just have to smile and suck it up.

We tried out the process at Bukit Batok and here's what happened:

Phase 1: Enrollment
When we arrived at the Driving Centre we followed signs for Foreign Conversion, which directed us to an upstairs landing, where we were invited to take a number and wait our turn. Don't do this. You will have joined the wrong queue. Instead, start at the Information Desk in the entrance foyer. Here are the steps you need to take:

Hand over your Employment/ Dependent's pass and fill in a short form. You will be asked if you want to take lessons or self-study (our chosen option). You will be given a number and asked to wait your turn.
When your number is called you will have a brief chat with an official in a glass booth who will take your form. He will ask you if you want to take lessons or self-study.
He will direct you to a computer in a room across the hall where you will enrol.
Then go to one of the green payment machines. You need a NETs card. Cash and other debit/ credit cards won't do.
Finally, you will be directed to another bank of computers where you will be able to book your Basic Theory Test. You may have a wait a couple of months for a free date.

Phase 2: The Basic Theory Test
Last night was the big night – theory test night - a big, black ball of tension permanently on my horizon, blocking my view, however many times I tried to sidestep it.

We arrived at the Bukit Batok driving test centre in plenty of time: plenty of time for last minute nervous cramming. It wasn’t that I didn’t think I knew the answers. The problem is that this is the fourth time I’ve been through this process – in four difference countries – and I was beginning to get a bit confused. Add to that, the ambiguous answers in the multi-guess format, designed to trip you up.

I need not have worried – I pass with 100%.

This is visit number two to the driving centre. You will have previous been here to register and book your test slot. Here’s the process this time:

Turn up shortly before your booked time.
When the examiner opens the door you will need to show your FIN and you will be told which desk to sit at. There will be about 40 other people taking the test with you.
You will be taken through a short presentation on how to do the test, which is multiple choice on a touch sensitive screen.
You have 50 minutes to answer 50 questions, but it won’t take you nearly that long. The pass rate is 90% (put another way, you can only get five wrong).
The computer will tell you instantaneously whether you’ve passed.
You will need to return to the driving centre a third time to convert your licence, which can take up to three hours (?) and watch a short video.

Most pointless test question award goes to:
"At what age can you apply to do the test? a) 18, b) 17, c) 16?"

How about: d) who cares, I'm nearly 40, or e) if I wasn't over the legal age I would be reading this question in the first place?

Phase 3: The Conversion
This is a quick update as I can not bear to spend any more time on this tedious process. I’m all for rules and regulations, but I hate inefficiency.

So the glee of passing my Basic Theory Test (BTT) with 100% has driven off into the sunset, and now I join another traffic jam in the journey to get my licence. After you pass the BTT you have up to 12 months to apply for your licence. To do this you need to go back to the driving centre armed with:

Original and a photocopy of your passport and NRIC/Entry Permit/Employment Pass/Dependant Pass/Work Permit;
Original and a photocopy of your valid Qualified Foreign Driving Licence;
One matt finish passport-size colour photograph with white background, eyes looking straight and both ears and eyebrow visible in the photograph. There should be no headgear worn unless normally worn for religious reasons;
If your foreign driving licence is not in English you’ll need an International Driving Permit or an official translation, unless your licence has been issued in Brunei, Indonesia or Malaysia.
A NETS or Cashcard with at least S$50 on it (I had to run round to the petrol station next door to get it topped up);
A pink application form, which is available from the driving centre.

Then you need to follow these steps:

Arrive at the driving centre as early as possible (Bukit Batok opens at 0830, but given we were unable to book a taxi we didn’t arrive until 0900. Oh, the irony.);
Head upstairs to the Traffic Police and take a queue number from the computer kiosk;
Be prepared to sit there for a couple of hours.
When your turn comes hand over all the paperwork. You will receive a slip of paper, which you take downstairs and give to a member of staff looking after the safety video;
Watch a rather graphic ten-minute film about dangerous driving;
Head back upstairs to pay and receive another slip of paper, which is your receipt.

You’re done. Your photo licence should arrive in the post in about a month’s time.

The process took us three and a half hours. To be precise, the process actually only takes about half an hour, but there are only one or two members of staff dealing with conversion requests. So take a book. A big one.

Need more help? There is a Basic Theory Test app.

Good luck!

Singapore driving test centres:

Woodlands Driving Test Centre, level 1, co-located with the Singapore Safety Driving Centre ( http://www.ssdcl.com.sg/ ) at 2, Woodlands Industrial Park E4 Singapore 757387.
Bukit Batok Driving Test Centre, level 2, co-located with the Bukit Batok Driving Centre (http://www.bbdc.sg ) at 815 Bukit Batok West Ave 5 Singapore 659085.
Kampong Ubi Test Centre, level 2, co-located with ComfortDelgro Driving Centre (http://www.cdc.com.sg) at 205, Ubi Ave 4 Singapore 408805.

New to Singapore?

Driving in Singapore: getting your licence

New to Singapore?

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