Probationary licence plate (distinguishing mark)

A “new driver” means a person who holds a driving licence for less than one year from the date of grant of the licence under section 35(6) or 36(2)(a)(ii) of the Act, but not under section 36(2)(a)(i). The period of probation is that one year commencing from the date of grant (SSO, Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules r 2).

The official handbook uses the same idea: new drivers hold a new class of licence for less than one year from the date of grant and are under probation for that year (SPF, Basic Theory of Driving). DIPS revocation at 13 points during probation is in driver-improvement-points-system and in rule 3 of the same New Drivers Rules.

Who must display the mark

Every new driver granted a licence to drive a Class 2B, 3, 3A, 3C or 3CA motor vehicle (and corresponding new SAF / SCDF certificate holders) who, on or after 1 September 1994, has not completed or commences probation, shall while riding or driving that class during probation display clearly and conspicuously a distinguishing mark in the form set out in the Schedule (SSO, Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules r 5(1)–(1A)).

The official handbook calls that mark the Probation Plate and requires it at the front and rear when driving (SPF, Basic Theory of Driving).

Placement

A distinguishing mark shall be securely affixed (SSO, Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules r 5(2)):

• Class 2B: directly above or below the headlamp, and directly above or below the rear licence plate.
• Class 3, 3A, 3C or 3CA with front and rear windscreens: at the top right portion of the front windscreen and the top right portion of the rear windscreen, as seen from outside.
• Those classes with a front windscreen but no rear windscreen: top right of the front windscreen (from outside), and bottom right of the rear, or another rear position if construction requires, without obstructing a rear lamp or another required mark.
• Those classes with no windscreen: bottom right of the front and bottom right of the rear, with the same obstruction caveat for lamps and required marks.

The handbook’s Class 2B and dual-windscreen placements match those first two bullets (SPF, Basic Theory of Driving).

Exception

Rule 5 does not apply to a new driver who has been granted a licence under section 36(2) of the Act and for a period of one year or longer has held a driver’s certificate or licence issued by the competent authority in any country authorising him to drive motor vehicles of the class or description which he would be authorised to drive by the licence applied for (SSO, Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules r 5(3)).

Offence and two-occasion revocation

Failing to comply with paragraph (1) or (1A) is an offence (SSO, Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules r 5(4)).

Where a new driver to whom the rule applies has, on two or more occasions, been convicted of an offence under this rule or been permitted to compound such an offence, the Deputy Commissioner of Police may revoke the driving licence (SSO, Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules r 5(5)). Corresponding recommend-to-revoke language applies to new SAF and SCDF drivers.

The handbook states: those who fail to display the Probation Plate will be fined; repeat offenders with at least 2 offences of failing to display it during the one-year probation will have their licence revoked (SPF, Basic Theory of Driving).

Booking a theory or practical test also requires that the applicant has not committed 2 or more offences of failing to display the distinguishing mark during probation as a new driver for another new class (SPF, Basic Theory of Driving).

Coverage debt

• The Schedule diagram (shape and colours of the mark) is not reproduced from SSO.
• A composition amount specifically for failing to display the plate is not isolated on the live TP penalties table fetched 2026-09-12.

Sources

• Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules
• SPF, Basic Theory of Driving (official handbook, last updated 2 January 2026)