Driving license

Caligynephobia SG

um.. im a singaporean studying abroad, currently the equivalent of JC, and i have a driving license (i’m 16 btw), when i go back (quite frequent), am i permitted to drive? from the LTA web they state that as long as the license is in english, i am allowed to drive. but i am afraid that TP will summon me say i underage. so the main question is : “for foreign drivers license, will age be taken into consideration?”

Ponders SG

1) A singaporean cannot use a foreign license to drive in Singapore, this rule applies also for PRs and Employment Permit/Work Permit holders.

2) Singapore law only allows ppl above 18 to drive in Singaproe. So regardless if you are licensed overseas, it is still illegal for under 18 to drive.

3) Penalty for using foreign license to drive, first time is warning and confiscation of foreign license.

4) Penalty for under 18 driving in singapore, owner of car gets into trouble and depending on the severity, it might be a criminal offence for the driver.

5) So much so, your being licensed might be a mitigating factor in the sentence you receive. because a trained driver driving is better than an untrained driver driving.

ditzy SG

Looks like you have to wait till you turn 18, then do a conversion to singapore licence. Have to take TP basic either way, no escape. Laughing

Ponders SG

Just to add.... in case you still want to drive in singapore using a foreign license. the chain reaction you will create...

since you are under 18, it is illegal to drive, therefore it voids the insurance of the car.

Driving an uninsured vehicle is an offence.

Owner of the car is liable for being sued for allowing another person to drive knowing that person driving it voids the insurance.

you, being the underaged driver, first have your license confiscated, you might or might not be banned from driving for a number of years, and your privilege of converting license in future would be fortfeited (meaning you can no longer convert but have to go thru entire sequence just like any other singaporean)

bottom line is, as much as you want to be that special 16 year old who can drive, it is not worth the trouble IF you get into trouble.

Trust me, my 27 year old friend is was fined $2000 and currently serving a 2 year drive ban after which he must go thru the normal process of obtaining a license. his mom has to drive him to work everyday, and it isn't a very nice sight especially when you are 27 years old going to a date and your mom drives you to your date.

and my guess is that you are in North America now. PLEASE don't drive when you come back, you need to adjust back to Right hand driving AND you need to get used to driving in SIngaproe, North American drivers are safe drivers, so you tend to be complacent when driving.

toyota-corolla SG

only basic test meh? bo pratical ar?

ditzy SG

Nope. Basic only, no advance. Laughing

Ponders SG

but i am quite sure sooner or later they will only allow you to convert to Class 3A only.

toyota-corolla SG

shock seh. Laughing

how come? even if i learn manual in other country?
Confused

ditzy SG

I converted my manual Oz licence to singapore class 3. only need to take basic, maybe the rules will change again next time. Laughing

Ponders SG

Aiyah.. you know how Singapore works right?

Long time ago (pre 1997), you only need to show up at TP and convert license rightaway.

Then they realised a trend of expats in Singapore get into accidents because they dunno how a traffic circle works. That plus, things like zig zag lines, ERP, etc are unheard of.

So they implemented that they should pass BTT before they can convert. Makes sense.

Then now singapore have a Class 3A license.

Sooner or later, they are going to justify that, since many countries allow passing test in Auto, ppl should only be allowed to convert to Auto.

toyota-corolla SG

eee. even if i pass my test in Manual, my license will be convert to Auto?

Fatum SG

but the problem is that some countries doesn't make that distinction at all ....

you can take your test in manual or auto and it's still the same license ... Laughing

Caligynephobia SG

WOW THANKS! u guys are so helpful! lol.. oh man.. can't believe this is happening.. whats the diff when a person is 18 and a person is 16? the skills learnt already will be on par irregardless of age? no? lol.. LTA should make their site more detailed, make me have high hopes for nothing.. haha.. eh they somemore won't give me class 3? wah lao eh..(haha i still know my singlish) i wanna drive manual car leh... auto so sluggish.. manual more feeling.

oh ya btw. im not living in north am, im living and studying in Doha,Qatar, Mid east. haha cool? was in shanghai for past 5 years tho.

damn i so wanna drive back home..

toyota-corolla SG

meaning i learn manual in other country and i wanna convert to singapore license, they will give me a class 3A instead of class 3 right? Confused

Ponders SG

Hey guys,

my comment about that conversion to Class 3A only, is just my "educated guess" on past trends. It noway illustrates reality. Just that i somehow predict they will do that.

I based it on the fact that one has to pass BTT first. And on that people who owns BMW motorbikes or harley bikes overseas and want to convert, can only convert to Class 2B first and slowly make their way to Class 2.

As for those people who passed overseas with a Manual vehicle, i guess either Traffic Police is kind enough to allow provisions like show evidence you had owned a manual car or the like.

Or they can just make it like Motorcycles, get your 3A, earn your 3.

Anyway, all these are speculations.

One thing is for sure is that i don't think Traffic Police will change the policy of allowing people to convert license as that would make lots of expats unhappy.

Ponders SG

As of now it is still conversion to Class 3.

but i suggest you don't wait around too long.

HolySniper SG

motorcycle is the most saddest.. Laughing

Ponders SG

Well, in my truthful opinion and not infering to you, i guess a younger driver tend to be less mature and think that driving a car is a great skill to have.

Especially in Singapore where not many have the opportunity to own and drive one at 18, driving at 18 just seems to be a ego boost amongst their peers.

That is why different country have different laws on how young someone can drive. in Western countries, some even allow 14-yr olds to obtain their learners license, but one thing is that do emphasise and inculcate a sense of safety and reinforce it thru the course of learning to drive. This, I see, is lacking in Singapore.

As much as many people want the minimum age limit raised, Singapore is bounded by a international treaty to which they are a signatory. This UN treaty basically makes one's license universal and that every country is to let people drive at age of 18. This treaty is a 1949 treaty... so back then, world was a different place.

So i hope i do answer your question on that 16/18 thingy. But don't be offended with my comment as i was generalising. Do keep the road safe and drive safe.

toyota-corolla SG

err, i now 15 le, you think still possible? Neutral Mad

Fatum SG

no, simply that in some countries, there's no distinction between learning to drive on a manual or an auto car ... you still get the same license ....

now imagine if you try to convert such a license ... Laughing