Foreigners over 18 with a Work Pass, Dependent Pass or Student Pass can drive in Singapore using a valid foreign license (class 3, 3A or 2B) for up to 12 months. After that, a Singapore driving license is required.
Before driving in Singapore, make sure to check if you need to convert your foreign driving license to a Singapore driving license.
Singapore citizens and permanent residents can only drive in Singapore with a Singapore driving license. They must convert their foreign driving license as soon as possible. New citizens and permanent residents have three months to convert their foreign license after obtaining their new status.
Step 1: Pass the Singapore Basic Theory Test (BTT)
To convert your foreign license to a Singapore driving license, you must first pass the Singapore Basic Theory Test (BTT). Overseas theory test results are not accepted. You can book your BTT by creating an account with one of the three 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: Apply for conversion
To apply for conversion, go in person to the Traffic Police Test Centre counter located in one of the driving centers. Bring the applicable items with you.
- Original and a photocopy of your passport and NRIC/entry permit/employment pass/dependent pass/social visit pass/work permit
- Original and a photocopy of a valid foreign driving licence
- One recent matte passport-sized colour photograph of you with a white background, eyes looking straight, and both ears and eyebrows visible in the photograph. There should be no headgear worn unless normally worn for religious purposes, and glasses worn should not be tinted;
- A processing fee of $50 (payment by CashCard and NETS only)
- If your foreign driving licence is not in English, you must have one of these:
- International driving permit; or
- An official translation of your driving licence in English obtained from the relevant Embassy, High Commission, or any Singapore registered translation companies. (Translation is not required for licences issued by Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.)
- If your foreign driving licence does not have the 1st date of issue, you are required to obtain an extract of driving licence record from the Licensing Authority
- Foreign driving licence must be obtained prior to the issuance of your Work Pass/Dependant Pass/Student Pass, etc
Additional requirements if you are a Singapore citizen or permanent resident.
You must provide documents showing that you studied or worked in a foreign country for at least one year, such as education transcripts or tax returns. You must have also stayed in that country for at least six months within a 12-month period. If your foreign license expired with your foreign visa, obtain a written extract from the foreign license-issuing authority.
The extract should show the following:
- Your driving test passing date
- Date of issue of your foreign driving licence
- Class of licence attained
- Your driving record
You must register for the BTT test within three months of returning to Singapore.
Tips
- After applying for conversion, your license will be issued within approximately two weeks. You will be on probation for one year and must not accumulate more than 12 demerit points during this time or your license may be revoked by the Traffic Police. You must display the Probation Plate during this probationary period.
- For foreigners, the Singapore driving license is valid for five years from the date of issuance. You must renew your license with the Traffic Police Department within one month before the expiry date indicated on the license.
- For Singaporeans and permanent residents, the Singapore driving license is valid for life and does not require renewal.
Do you have more questions? We’re here to help guide you further.
