Conversion of USA Driving licence to Singapore

[Njhammers]

The rules say.

The following documents (both originals and photocopies) are required :

a) Passport and Entry Permit/EP/DEP/WP/SVP
b) A valid qualified foreign driving licence
c) A valid International Driving Permit (IDP)
d) An official translation of the foreign licence from
the relevant Embassy/High Commission if it is not in English.
e) An extract of driving licence record from the Licensing Authority indicating the date of first issue of the foreign driving licence & classes.
f) A completed medical examination form (obtainable from Traffic Police Department or any of the test centres) for applicants age 65 and above, where applicable.

Have any US citizens gone thru this process and how do you obtain an extract of driving licence record from the Licensing Authority indicating the date of first issue of the foreign driving licence & classes.

Is all this needed?

[Carpe Diem]

I am not US citizen, but had only a, b and c (d and f not required in my case). After I passed the test I got my license converted without trouble.

[Strong Eagle]

You don't need the international license as a US citizen and of course, you don't need the translation. If your state does not include the original date of issue of your license on the license itself (Texas does not), then contact your state agency responsible for your driving records and request a certified copy of your driving record which includes the original date. In Texas this is called an "certified extract of driving records" or some such.

You do need your passport and employment pass. You get 12 months from the original date of entry to convert your license, else you get to take the entire drivers course. You need to take the basic theory test, and you should sign up early since you often need to wait a month or more to get a slot. Pass rates are in the 75 to 80 percent range, so be leave time to take it again.

[Matney]

We have been here abt. 8 months. We do not at this time own a car, relying on MRT, bus or taxi. Should we consider getting a driver's licence before our year is up? Our US licence expired years ago as we have lived in OZ for 15 yrs. and have a Qld. licence. (have had licences in Vic. & WA) Any suggestions??

[Njhammers]

Thanks for feedback

[Strong Eagle]

We have been here abt. 8 months. We do not at this time own a car, relying on MRT, bus or taxi. Should we consider getting a driver's licence before our year is up? Our US licence expired years ago as we have lived in OZ for 15 yrs. and have a Qld. licence. (have had licences in Vic. & WA) Any suggestions??

If you have a valid OZ license and there is any chance that you will be driving evenutally, I'd definitely go after the driver's license. A conversion is simple. Pass the basic theory test. Show old license. Get new license (you still keep your OZ license).

After a year you have to do like everyone else. Pass the pre basic theory test (to let you sit for the test). Pass the basic theory test. Get provisional license. Drive with someone else in the front seat. Take a bunch of lessons. Pass the basic driving test. Take a bunch of lessons and pass the advanced theory test. Take a bunch of lessons. Take the advanced driving test. Your choice.

[ksl]

The rules say.

The following documents (both originals and photocopies) are required :

a) Passport and Entry Permit/EP/DEP/WP/SVP
b) A valid qualified foreign driving licence
c) A valid International Driving Permit (IDP)
d) An official translation of the foreign licence from
the relevant Embassy/High Commission if it is not in English.
e) An extract of driving licence record from the Licensing Authority indicating the date of first issue of the foreign driving licence & classes.
f) A completed medical examination form (obtainable from Traffic Police Department or any of the test centres) for applicants age 65 and above, where applicable.

Have any US citizens gone thru this process and how do you obtain an extract of driving licence record from the Licensing Authority indicating the date of first issue of the foreign driving licence & classes.

Is all this needed?

Don't know about US, But I passed the theory test today, and just handed them a Danish license and UK passport with DP and a photo, forgot to take my international with me! They said no problem, didn't even need the Danish license translated. took exactly 10 minutes to complete.

[ptan55]

The rules say.

The following documents (both originals and photocopies) are required :

a) Passport and Entry Permit/EP/DEP/WP/SVP
b) A valid qualified foreign driving licence
c) A valid International Driving Permit (IDP)
d) An official translation of the foreign licence from
the relevant Embassy/High Commission if it is not in English.
e) An extract of driving licence record from the Licensing Authority indicating the date of first issue of the foreign driving licence & classes.
f) A completed medical examination form (obtainable from Traffic Police Department or any of the test centres) for applicants age 65 and above, where applicable.

Have any US citizens gone thru this process and how do you obtain an extract of driving licence record from the Licensing Authority indicating the date of first issue of the foreign driving licence & classes.

Is all this needed?

Don't know about US, But I passed the theory test today, and just handed them a Danish license and UK passport with DP and a photo, forgot to take my international with me! They said no problem, didn't even need the Danish license translated. took exactly 10 minutes to complete.

Did you get to keep your Danish driver's license? Also, where did you get the material to study for the theory test?

Thanks
PT

[antpink]

Me (UK) and wife (US) just needed to show valid respective national driver's licences and p/p and e/p after passing the theory test. As mentioned, need to do it within the year though.

Theory based on UK Highway Code with a few minor differences, so should be relatively easy for anyone who has driven in UK for a while. You can get the Singaporean "Highway Code" - forget the actual name - at any book shop. Theory is multiple choice format.

[another guest]

Of course you also keep your original licence. It belongs to you and is issued by the driving authority of another country, nothing to do with the Singapore LTA. Singapore licence is issued in addition to, not in place of the original licence. And in practice, the authorities here are very unlikely to require you to complete the full driving licence test after one year if your original licence is from a country with a similar driving test to Singapore. Lots of people only apply for the basic theory test when they stay on longer than the first year and decide to get a car at a later date.

[dot dot dot]

The rules say.

The following documents (both originals and photocopies) are required :

a) Passport and Entry Permit/EP/DEP/WP/SVP
b) A valid qualified foreign driving licence
c) A valid International Driving Permit (IDP)
d) An official translation of the foreign licence from
the relevant Embassy/High Commission if it is not in English.
e) An extract of driving licence record from the Licensing Authority indicating the date of first issue of the foreign driving licence & classes.
f) A completed medical examination form (obtainable from Traffic Police Department or any of the test centres) for applicants age 65 and above, where applicable.

Have any US citizens gone thru this process and how do you obtain an extract of driving licence record from the Licensing Authority indicating the date of first issue of the foreign driving licence & classes.

Is all this needed?

Don't know about US, But I passed the theory test today, and just handed them a Danish license and UK passport with DP and a photo, forgot to take my international with me! They said no problem, didn't even need the Danish license translated. took exactly 10 minutes to complete.

The 10 minutes for sure didnot include the 60-90 minutes queuing....

Eric