http://www.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20080821-83434.html
Booked a driving test but cannot make the
date?
From Oct 1 2008, you will no
longer get a refund, even if you cancel ahead of
time.
The move is designed to stop aspiring drivers from
abusing the system by making multiple bookings, cancelling them at
the last-minute and auctioning test dates,
said Traffic Police spokesman Danny Tan.
Those practices 'squander' test slots and force other drivers to
wait longer for their chance to prove themselves behind the wheel,
he said.
The no-refund policy marks a return to the past.
The Traffic Police used to have one,but lifted it in 2004, when
test bookings were out sourced to three private driving
centres.
But since then, it has seen an inordinately high number of
people make multiple bookings, which cost $6 for theory tests and
$20 for practical exams.
Between 2005 and 2007, an average of 8,800 people a year
scheduled more than one test at a time.
About 15 per cent of approximately 238,000 theory tests, and
about 28 per cent of approximately 104,000 practical tests booked
each year are cancelled.
That amounts to about $800,000 in refunds annually.
Officials from the 3 driving centres said the change
would help reduce waiting times, which can be up to two months for
theory exams and four months for practical tests.
The Traffic Police say they will, however,consider not
forfeiting test fees if a person has a valid reason, supported by
documents, such as reservist training and medical reasons. -ST