Driving in Singapore

[tonton]

Hi We have Australia driving license and want to buy a car. Does anyone know we need to conver our license? I be told we might can drive for a year without converting.

[CAT777]

But if you are going to stay more than one year you have to convert it.

i converted it very easily, just passed basic theory test...but the problem is to schedule the day of the test...i went middle of June and managed to schedule test in a 5 days time (cause smn cancelled booking for this day) otherwise you have to wait for 1 or 2 mnths...

[rob w]

I did the same , when I insured my motorcycle the company made me sign a waver that the insurance only covered me up to 12 months of my arrival in Singapore ( not when you start driving) after that I had to convert to a Singapore licence.
Very easy just pass the BTT. As has been said there is a big waiting list but if you check on the web regularly you can get a cancellation

[tonton]

how about when you are purchasing the car and insurance, does it ok with australian license?

[rob w]

I bought a bike but yes it was easy. Myself and the previous owner did the transfer and I just rang up the insurance and they told me a couple of offices to go to , one which was just around the corner. Very easy indeed.
Note I think the need to transfer your licence is 12 months from arriving in Singapore not from when you buy the car, they looked through my passport for my actual arrival date.

[ffsgrelier]

hello there,
Maybe this posting will put a bit more pressure on you but this is something few people know. We have bought a car a couple of months back . We were then informed the 1 year leeway for you licence becomes 3 months only once you own a vehicle. If you do buy a car, I recommend you book your basic theory test very quickly as the dates are few and far between.
Hope his helps.

[micknlea]

I've never heard that one before and it certainly wasn't like that for us, we had a car for longer than three months and they just used the date of arrival for us.

BTT waitlist is usually about 3-4 weeks but sometimes you can get in within a week (had a friend do just that a couple of weeks ago) it is just luck.

Make sure you study the questions as they are worded in the book and you will be fine. Don't rely on common sense to get you through as some of the questions are almost in Singlish, and there are a few laws here that are quite different to Australia. It is pretty easy though and takes no time at all.

[Devil_82]

hello there,
Maybe this posting will put a bit more pressure on you but this is something few people know. We have bought a car a couple of months back . We were then informed the 1 year leeway for you licence becomes 3 months only once you own a vehicle. If you do buy a car, I recommend you book your basic theory test very quickly as the dates are few and far between.
Hope his helps.

hi here the relevant information if you need help in booking for basic theory:

URL: http://learn-to-drive.spf.gov.sg/servic ... q.htm#book

Where do I go to book my Basic Theory Test (BTT)?
You can book your Basic Theory Test through the schools' websites or service kiosks. You need to open an account with the schools. Please approach the driving centres for more information.
Bukit Batok Driving Centre Ltd
815 Bukit Batok West Avenue 5
Singapore 659085
Tel : 65611233 Fax : 66656923
Internet : http://www.bbdc.com.sg

Comfort Driving Centre Pte Ltd
205 Ubi Avenue 4
Singapore 408805
Tel : 68418900 Fax : 68418913
Internet : http:// www.comfortdrivingcentre.com.sg

Singapore Safety Driving Centre Ltd
3 Ang Mo Kio Street 62
Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 3
Singapore 569139
Tel : 64826060 Fax : 64828808
Internet : http://www.ssdcl.com.sg

hope it helps

[jockney]

I actually did not think anyone took a test over here ....as the standards of driving are atrocious
Everything else in this country works, apart from the driving...I have never experienced so much bad driving(not saying i am the best), but just a lack of consideration for other road users and pure dangerous driving practices are rife here.
If you indicate...very few will actually let you out.
Tailgating is a national sport i think.
changing lanes without indicating and at very very short notice is common place.
indicators left on for miles and miles...especially on the bikes.
Being a biker at home, I am afraid the bikers here are an accident waiting to happen.
You not only need a licence here, but you need patience and a lot of tolerance!