Vocational driving licences in Singapore
The five LTA vocational licence types, their basic eligibility, the application route, renewal requirements, and the Digital LTA Vocational Licence.
Primary source: https://onemotoring.lta.gov.sg/content/onemotoring/home/driving/vocational_licence/vocational_licence_application.html
In Singapore, a vocational licence is required to drive a taxi, private hire car or bus, or to work as a school-bus attendant. LTA lists five types: Taxi Driver's Vocational Licence (TDVL), Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licence (PDVL), Bus Driver's Vocational Licence (BDVL), Bus Attendant's Vocational Licence (BAVL), and Omnibus Driver's Vocational Licence (ODVL) (LTA, Vocational Licence Application).
Which licence covers the work
| Licence | Work it covers |
|---|---|
| TDVL | Chauffeured services using either a taxi or a private hire car. |
| PDVL | Chauffeured services using a private hire car only. |
| BDVL | Driving a bus registered as a private-hire bus, school bus or excursion bus when it is associated with fare charges. |
| BAVL | Working as an attendant on a school bus; a driving licence is not required for this vocational licence. |
| ODVL | Driving an omnibus while employed by a public transport operator. LTA names SBS Transit, SMRT Buses, Tower Transit Singapore and Go-Ahead Singapore. |
These licence scopes and the named ODVL employers are stated by LTA (LTA, Vocational Licence Application).
Basic application eligibility
The public LTA application guide sets out these basic requirements (LTA, Vocational Licence Application):
| Licence | Minimum age and residency stated by LTA | Other key requirement stated by LTA |
|---|---|---|
| TDVL | 30; Singapore Citizen | Hold a valid Singapore Class 3 or 3A driving licence for more than one year; speak and read basic English. |
| PDVL | 30; Singapore Citizen | Hold a valid Singapore Class 3 or 3A driving licence for more than one year; speak and read basic English. |
| BDVL | 21; Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Work Permit holder whose vocation is bus driver | Hold a valid Singapore Class 3 or 3A licence for more than one year. A Work Permit holder may submit evidence of holding a foreign driving licence for over one year, subject to LTA review and approval. |
| BAVL | 18; Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus holder | Permanent Residents and Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus holders must have resided in Singapore for at least three years. A driving licence is not required. |
| ODVL | LTA's page does not state a public age or residency checklist | The licence is for omnibus drivers employed by one of the public transport operators listed above; contact the operator directly to apply. |
LTA also says that self-employed applicants must be up to date with MediSave contributions. Its application guide describes criminal-record considerations for TDVL, PDVL, BDVL and BAVL applications: it says applicants with serious offences will not be considered, while those with less serious offences may be considered after completing the sentence, with a testimonial potentially requested case by case (LTA, Vocational Licence Application).
Applying
For TDVL, PDVL, BDVL and citizen BAVL applications, LTA directs applicants to GoBusiness. The online application includes a $40 non-refundable application fee. If documents are in order, LTA says it generally takes about 15 working days to process an application and issue an Approval to Attend Course (ATC) letter. The applicant then completes the medical assessment and chest X-ray, and registers with a training provider for the course and any required test. BAVL applicants complete the required course; the process is not described as a driving test (LTA, Vocational Licence Application).
Since 2 February 2026, doctors submit vocational-licence medical forms digitally to LTA or the Traffic Police through the Harmonised Medical Examination Report (HMER). LTA's application and renewal pages say applicants should bring the ATC or renewal notice so the doctor can access the digital report. The earlier paper-form transition ended on 31 July 2026 (LTA, Vocational Licence Application; LTA, Vocational Licence Renewal; LTA, Harmonised Medical Examination Report).
After passing the applicable vocational-licence test, a driver receives a Temporary Vocational Licence on the same day and may drive using it while waiting for the digital licence. LTA says a new Digital LTA Vocational Licence is issued through the Singpass app within 20 working days after the applicable test or course requirements are completed. The digital licence is an official LTA document; new applicants are not issued a physical card by default. A holder may request a physical card through GoBusiness for an administrative fee of $21.80 (LTA, Vocational Licence Application; LTA, Digital LTA Vocational Licence).
Validity and renewal
Most vocational licences are valid for three years. A licence held by a person aged 67 or older may be valid for a shorter period. LTA states the statutory age limit for vocational licences to drive vehicles is 75; it gives BAVL as having no statutory age limit. ODVL remains valid while the holder continues to be employed by a public transport operator (LTA, Vocational Licence Application; LTA, Vocational Licence Renewal).
LTA sends a renewal notice to the registered address 1–2 months before expiry. The notice states the requirements for that renewal. Vocational-licence holders aged 50–64 must complete a medical check-up every 2 years; from 65 through 74, the medical check-up is yearly. At ages 70, 73 and 74, drivers must also complete an Assessment of Fitness to Drive, including an on-road assessment; this on-road assessment is not required for a BAVL-only holder. Taxi and private-hire-car drivers must complete refresher training every 6 years, and self-employed holders must be up to date with MediSave contributions. LTA says a complete renewal generally takes about 10 working days (LTA, Harmonised Medical Examination Report; LTA, Vocational Licence Renewal).
For refresher training, LTA lists a 3-hour PDVL course costing $40 excluding GST. TDVL holders who are recorded as active drivers and have a good Vocational Licence Point System record take a 3-hour course for $40 excluding GST; other TDVL holders take a 5-hour course for $45 excluding GST. LTA says SkillsFuture credits may be used for these courses (LTA, Vocational Licence Renewal).
If a licence has expired for less than six months, LTA says to follow the renewal notice through AXS or GoBusiness, or make an appointment if online renewal is unavailable. If it has been expired for over six months but less than three years, submit a late-renewal application for LTA's assessment. After more than three years expired, submit a new application (LTA, Vocational Licence Renewal).
LTA says a vocational licence cannot be renewed if the holder is convicted in court or their driving licence is disqualified or suspended. The application page separately says a vocational licence will be revoked if its holder is convicted in court, or their driving licence is disqualified or suspended for one year or more (LTA, Vocational Licence Application; LTA, Vocational Licence Renewal).
Coverage debt
LTA's public application page does not give one complete syllabus, assessment and fee specification for every licence type. In particular, ODVL applicants are directed to contact their public transport operator, and the page does not describe a standard public ODVL course or application sequence. Check LTA's current application page and operator instructions for category-specific requirements before applying.