SG Singapore Driver
Knowledge base licensing 5 min read

Converting a foreign driving licence

Who must convert a foreign licence to a Singapore licence, the BTT-plus-valid-licence criteria, Work Permit and S Pass Class 3C rules, short-stay IDP rules, and the in-person Traffic Police counter process.

conversion foreign-licence BTT Class-3C IDP Work-Permit

Primary source: https://www.police.gov.sg/Knowledge-Hub/Traffic/Traffic-Matters/Singapore-Driving-Licence

You need a valid Singapore driving licence to drive or ride a motor vehicle on Singapore roads if you are a citizen, a permanent resident, a foreigner residing more than 12 months, or a foreigner residing less than 12 months who is employed as a driver holding a Work Permit or S Pass. Anyone in those groups who holds a valid foreign driving licence must convert it to a Singapore driving licence (SPF, Singapore Driving Licence).

Conversion criteria

The criteria are: pass the Basic Theory Test (BTT) in Singapore, and hold a valid foreign driver licence (SPF, Singapore Driving Licence).

Traffic Police’s QDL FAQ states that conversion cannot be done online, for citizens, PRs, or foreigners. After passing BTT you convert in person at a TP service counter with the relevant documents (SPF, FAQ on Online Application for Qualified Driving Licence).

Who does not need to convert yet

There is no need for conversion if you are a foreigner residing in Singapore for less than 12 months holding a valid foreign driving licence, except that a holder of a valid foreign licence is allowed to drive for up to three months on Singapore roads upon obtaining new Singapore citizenship or permanent resident status, and must convert if they wish to continue driving (SPF, Singapore Driving Licence).

A new citizen or PR who previously obtained a Singapore licence using a FIN must update that status through a replacement application using their NRIC (SPF, Singapore Driving Licence).

Short-stay visitors (under 12 months)

If you are a foreigner residing less than 12 months you must possess a foreign driving licence and an International Driving Permit issued by an authorised body from your country of origin, or an official English translation of the foreign licence if an IDP is not available. Foreigners from an ASEAN member state do not need an IDP; they must have a valid foreign driving licence (SPF, Singapore Driving Licence).

SPF notes that a translation may be obtained from the relevant Embassy, High Commission, or a local registered translation company if the Embassy or High Commission does not provide the service (SPF, Singapore Driving Licence).

Work Permit and S Pass holders

All Work Permit and S Pass holders (SPF, Singapore Driving Licence):

  • are granted a Class 3C licence upon successful conversion, allowing them to drive only motor cars of unladen weight equal to or less than 3,000 kg with 7 or fewer passengers (excluding the driver);
  • need to pass a practical driving test, on top of BTT, if they intend to drive Class 3 vehicles;
  • need to obtain a Singapore driving licence within 6 months from the date of issue of their work passes if they want to drive for work;
  • need Class 3/3A to drive light goods vehicles (vans and pick-ups), small buses, and mini vans for work. To convert Class 3C/3CA to Class 3/3A they need to pass the Practical Driving Test, on top of BTT.

From 15 September 2025, a Class 3C holder who wants to take Class 4 driving lessons must first pass a road assessment. If they pass, they may proceed with Class 4 lessons. If they fail, they cannot take Class 4 lessons and the Class 3C licence will be revoked. Work-pass holders who want to enrol for Class 4 lessons must also have an employer declaration of support submitted via FormSG with CorpPass (SPF, Singapore Driving Licence).

Documents TP lists

Supporting documents (originals and photocopies) are for identification, confirmation of a valid driving licence, and residency in the country where the licence was issued. TP reserves the right to request additional documents (SPF, Singapore Driving Licence). The live table includes:

  • a coloured passport-size photograph, matte or semi-matte, white background, taken within the last three months;
  • identification (NRIC and passport for citizens/PRs; work pass / long-term pass, FIN cards and passport, and other listed entry documents);
  • the current driving licence; an extract if the foreign licence does not show first-issue date; a letter of endorsement from the country of issuance;
  • for Malaysian licences, a JPJ letter showing class breakdown and date of issuance with payment receipt;
  • for Indian licences, an endorsement letter of validity from the India Embassy with payment receipt;
  • official English translation by a Singapore registered translation company if the licence is not in English;
  • documents to prove 1-year residency in the country of issuance with physical residency of at least 6 months (passports, employment, education, or tax documents);
  • for Class 2A and Class 2 motorcycle conversion, documentary proof from the foreign licensing authority of proper training and of the higher capacity motorcycle tested on, signed and endorsed by that authority.

Country checklists (Malaysia, India, China, other countries) are downloadable from that SPF page.

Licence classes after conversion are in driving-licence-classes. How to apply for the photocard itself is in application-replacement-renewal-of-driving-licence.

Coverage debt

  • Counter addresses and opening hours are not copied from e-Services booking screens.
  • Whether a named foreign licence class maps one-for-one onto a Singapore class is decided at the counter; this article does not invent equivalences.

Sources