Guide To Convert Your Foreign Driving License
Driving License Conversion: If you would like to drive a car in Singapore, read on to find out more on how to convert your foreign driving license here.
Driving License Conversion: Who needs to convert foreign driving license to a valid Singapore Driving License?
For short term pass or social visit pass holders residing in Singapore not more than 12 months, you are allowed to drive in Singapore only if you have a valid driving license in English. Otherwise, you’ll need to obtain a supplementary International Driving Permit from your home country or obtain an official translation of your driving license in English.
For long-term pass holders who are holding a Student Pass (STP), Employment Pass (EP) or Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP), you are allowed to drive with your valid foreign driving license for up to 12 months. After which, you’ll be required to convert to a Singapore driving license.
For Work Permit (WP) and S-Pass holders, you are allowed to drive with your valid foreign driving license for up to 6 months after which you’ll be required to convert to a Singapore driving license.
For non-Singapore citizen long-term pass holders, here’s what you’ll need to prepare to convert your license:
- A valid driving license that indicates the issuing date and has not expired from your home country. (If the issuing date is not available, you will have to provide supporting documents which can be obtained from your local transport authority.)
- A valid work permit/pass that is not close to expiry.
Important note: Your driving license from your home country is not valid if it has been issued to you after you have received your Work Pass or Work Permit in Singapore.
For new Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PR), or returning Singaporeans, you must register and pass the Basic Theory Test (BTT) and convert your foreign driving license within 3 months after obtaining your citizenship/PR status or returning to Singapore.
Otherwise, you will be regarded as a new applicant and will be required to begin the driving license acquisition process from the beginning by registering and completing both theory and practical tests.
Important note: Additional documentation as proof of your residence in the country of which you obtained your driving license is required. You must also have resided in the respective country for more than 1 year and obtain an official copy of your driving records from the issuing authorities of the respective country where your license is issued.
If your license has expired along with your foreign visa, you are still able to convert your license by obtaining a written document from the issuing authority of your respective country containing the following details:
- Passing date of your driving test
- Date of issue of your foreign driving license
- Class of vehicles you are permitted to drive
- Copy of your driving records
Source: unsplash.com/@shawnanggg
Source: cdc.com.sg
Steps to convert your driving license successfully
Step 1 – Register and pass the Singapore Basic Theory Test (BTT)
Passing the basic theory test is the first step to convert your driving license. You may create an account and book your BTT with any of three driving centers listed below.
You may make your booking in person or online and complete the test on site at any of the respective driving centers.
Bukit Batok Driving Centre
815 Bukit Batok West Ave 5, Singapore 659085
T: 1800 666 8888
ComfortDelGro Driving Centre
205 Ubi Ave 4, Singapore 408805
T: 6841 8900, 6848 0617
Singapore Safety Driving Centre
2 Woodlands Industrial Park E4, Singapore 757387
T: 6482 6060
Step 2 – Applying for driving license conversion
Once you’ve passed your BTT, you may proceed to apply for conversion at the Traffic Police Headquarters. The application fee is $50 and can only be paid either by CashCard or NETS.
On top of that, you are also required to prepare the following documents for submission:
- BTT result slips
- Original and photocopy of passport
- A recent passport-size photograph with white background
- An original and photocopy of your valid driving license (if your driving license is not in English, you are required to bring along your International Driving Permit or an official translation of your driving license in English)
Note: Translation is not required for driving licenses issued in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.
Bonus Tips
Once your driving license has been issued (approximately two weeks from application), you will be placed under probation for one year. During this period, you should not accumulate more than 12 demerit points and you are required to display the probation plate.
For non-Citizens and PRs, your Singapore driving license is valid for five years from date of issue indicated and you are required to renew with Traffic police one month before expiry date.
