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Provisional and qualified driving licences in Singapore

PDL eligibility and practice requirements, simulator training before practical tests, applying for a QDL, and probation rules for new drivers.

PDL QDL learner-driver probation

主要来源： https://www.police.gov.sg/Knowledge-Hub/Traffic/Traffic-Matters/Provisional-Driving-Licence

Provisional and qualified driving licences in Singapore

Provisional Driving Licence (PDL)

A PDL allows a learner who has passed the Basic Theory Test (BTT) to take practical driving or riding lessons. SPF says it is an offence to take those practical lessons without a valid PDL. The PDL is issued digitally and is valid for two years; the current SPF handbook says it can be renewed subsequently for further two-year periods (SPF, Provisional Driving Licence; SPF, Basic Theory of Driving handbook (2026 edition)).

During lessons and driving tests, a PDL holder must display two conspicuous 18 cm square “L” plates, one at the front and one at the back of the vehicle, and the vehicle must be covered against third-party risk. The learner may drive only under the supervision of a licensed driving instructor or an instructor from a driving school (SPF, Basic Theory of Driving handbook (2026 edition)).

Simulator training before the practical test

SPF requires learner motorists seeking Class 2B, 2A, 2, 3 or 3A licences to complete simulator training before attempting the practical driving or riding test. The training has three modules, each listed as 15–20 minutes; the practical test must be taken within two years after course completion. Booking, fees and available slots are handled by the driving centres (SPF, Simulator Training for Learner Motorists).

SPF says learners who experience adverse symptoms during a module and seek exemption must consult a Singapore-registered medical practitioner or specialist. The doctor must assess fitness to drive, and the learner submits the supporting documents to the senior tester at the relevant test centre for assessment. Learners who need vehicle modifications are outside SPF’s stated requirement that all other learners attempt the training (SPF, Simulator Training for Learner Motorists).

The practical driving test

For the driving test, SPF’s 2026 handbook says to book an appointment in advance. On the test day, bring a valid PDL, the test vehicle’s valid insurance certificate, a valid Final Theory Test certificate, the test-fee receipt, and identification (NRIC or, for a foreigner, passport). A candidate with 13 or more demerit points cannot book or sit the test (SPF, Final Theory of Driving handbook (2026 edition)).

The practical driving test has a circuit section for driving skills and an on-road section assessing safe interaction with other road users and compliance with traffic rules. The examiner records errors on a tablet or checklist. A serious mistake causes an immediate fail; other mistakes carry 2–10 penalty points each, and exceeding the test’s predetermined total also causes a fail. The examiner gives the test report or checklist to the candidate at the end whether the candidate passes or fails (SPF, Final Theory of Driving handbook (2026 edition)).

As of 13 March 2026, SPF lists the practical driving and riding test fee as $40. It states that the fee is scheduled to rise to $45 on 13 March 2027 and $50 on 13 March 2028; the applicable fee depends on when the test is booked (SPF, Revised Test Fees).

For Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, SPF lists a passed eyesight test and BTT as PDL application requirements. Applications and renewals are made online, and the current application or renewal fee is $25. A PDL may be renewed one month before expiry, or if it has been expired for less than three years (SPF, Provisional Driving Licence; SPF, Apply for Provisional Driving Licence).

PDL prerequisites depend on the licence class. For example, SPF’s e-service lists a passed BTT or a valid QDL as a prerequisite for a Class 2B PDL, and a passed BTT or a valid Class 3C/3CA QDL for a Class 3 PDL. It also lists prior QDL classes for heavier vehicle PDL applications, as well as minimum ages of 18 for Classes 2B, 2A, 2, 3 and 3A, and 21 for Classes 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 and 5P (SPF, Apply for Provisional Driving Licence). Check the current e-service requirements for the specific class before applying.

SPF lists a separate PDL route for foreign pass holders, with different conditions for ordinary and heavy-vehicle classes. Holders of an Employment Pass or Personalised Employment Pass, EntrePass, S Pass, a Dependant Pass linked to one of those passes, Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus or Long-Term Visit Pass may apply for Class 2B, 3 or 3A after passing the eyesight test and BTT at one of the three driving centres. For Classes 4, 4A, 4P, 4AP, 5 and 5P, SPF lists a route for holders of a valid Work Permit or S Pass who also hold a valid Singapore Class 3, 3C or 4 licence and have a company letter supporting their heavy-vehicle course application; the eyesight test is at SSDC if required, and the course is booked there (SPF, Provisional Driving Licence). Check the current e-service before applying.

Learner motorists aged 65 or older must be certified fit to drive by a Singapore-registered medical practitioner before applying for a valid PDL. SPF says to submit the completed medical examination report online to Traffic Police in JPEG or PDF format; apply for the PDL after SPF accepts the report (SPF, Provisional Driving Licence).

Qualified Driving Licence (QDL)

After passing the practical test, an applicant must apply for a QDL online through SPF using Singpass. Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents must take a digital photograph at the driving centre before applying. If a person already holds a valid Singapore driving licence and passes a test for another class, the tester adds that class to the existing licence with an endorsement sticker at no additional cost. SPF lists a $50 fee for a new QDL application and a processing lead time of 14 working days. Do not drive or ride until you hold a valid licence (SPF, Apply for Qualified Driving Licence).

Returning to driving after a suspension or disqualification

SPF’s appointment service covers collection of a Singapore driving licence after a suspension, revocation, or disqualification period of less than one year has ended. It requires an appointment through BookingSG and lists an NRIC or FIN for collection; the service is free and estimates five minutes (SPF, Book Appointment for Driving Licence Collection or Cancellation.

Two statutory routes require a prescribed competence test before driving again after a period of one year or longer. For a disqualification by conviction or court order, Road Traffic Act section 43(1)(b) makes the licence ineffective and prohibits driving after the disqualification unless the person passes the prescribed test. Separately, section 47A applies the same requirement when Traffic Police suspends a licence under section 45 for one year or longer (Road Traffic Act 1961, ss. 43(1)(b) and 47A). SPF’s public collection page does not explain the administrative collection steps or how to arrange the required test for these longer periods.

New-driver probation

A new licence holder is under probation for one year from the date their driving licence is issued. During probation, new Class 2B, 3/3A and 3C/3CA motorists must display probation plates at the front and rear of the vehicle. For Class 2B motorcycles, place each plate directly above or below the relevant headlamp or rear licence plate. For Class 3, 3A, 3C and 3CA vehicles with front and rear windscreens, place each plate at the top right of the respective windscreen, as seen from outside. If the vehicle has a front but no rear windscreen, the front plate goes at the top right of the windscreen and the rear plate at the bottom right of the rear, or another rear position if the vehicle's construction makes that impossible; the plate must not obstruct a rear lamp or another required rear mark. If there is no windscreen, place the plates at the bottom right of the front and rear, or elsewhere on the respective end if the vehicle's construction makes that impossible. These placement requirements and construction exceptions are set out in rule 5 of the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules (Singapore Statutes Online, Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules, r. 5). SPF says that at least two offences for failing to display the plates during probation result in licence revocation (SPF, Basic Theory of Driving handbook (2026 edition)).

Under the current DIPS rule, a new licence holder’s licence is revoked if they accumulate 13 or more demerit points during probation. SPF has announced that from 1 January 2027 the threshold will be lowered: the licence will be revoked at 12 or more points. Until that date, the current 13-point threshold applies (SPF, Driver Improvement Point Systems; SPF, Tightening of the Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS)).

Coverage debt

The test guidance here describes the practical driving test. It does not establish the detailed format or scoring for practical riding tests, the test’s predetermined penalty-point fail threshold, or all centre-specific booking and vehicle arrangements. Special application routes for foreign licence conversion and vocational classes have additional conditions; check the relevant SPF page for those cases. SPF’s public collection page covers periods below one year; administrative collection steps and test-booking instructions for the statutory one-year-or-longer cases remain unverified.

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