SINGAPORE EXPATS FORUM
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motorbike licence in Singapore
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- Newbie
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motorbike licence in Singapore
below is what i found about regulations so far.. i was curious if there are any expats that know when i arrive if i can actually ride a 600cc and above bike, espescially because i'm 6"6' and the likelyhood of me fitting on a 201cc and below is zero to none. I have a full australian driver and rider licence. And does anyone know if i would be able to apply this exceptional case? and does anyone know what the COE would be on a 600cc bike? and any other costs involved?
thanks in advance
Lars Andersen
Motorcycle Licenses
If you possess an International motorcycle licence or a foreign motorcycle licence, you can convert your licence with the Traffic Police. In Singapore, the motorcycle licenses are divided into three categories Regardless of your foreign licence rating, you will only be issued a Class 2B licence here, although at times there are exceptional cases.
Purchasing a Motorcycle
The cost of purchasing a motorcycle is lower because of the Certificate of Entitlement.
Licence Types
Class 2A - Ride bikes up to 401 cc
Class 2B - Ride bikes up to 201cc
Class 2 - Unlimited
thanks in advance
Lars Andersen
Motorcycle Licenses
If you possess an International motorcycle licence or a foreign motorcycle licence, you can convert your licence with the Traffic Police. In Singapore, the motorcycle licenses are divided into three categories Regardless of your foreign licence rating, you will only be issued a Class 2B licence here, although at times there are exceptional cases.
Purchasing a Motorcycle
The cost of purchasing a motorcycle is lower because of the Certificate of Entitlement.
Licence Types
Class 2A - Ride bikes up to 401 cc
Class 2B - Ride bikes up to 201cc
Class 2 - Unlimited
since you already have a licence for a large bike (assuming you have had more than 6 months) then it's pretty easy.
you can ride for up to one year, but must take your test here (written only) within that year, book in advance as the wait list can be up to three months. The test is multiple choice and pretty easy, so just get a singapore guide and you will have no problem. You can buy a bike and ride it as soon as you wish - do not worry too much about coe as it is pretty minimal on bikes (I have a bike and a car) I was in a similar situation but with a UK licence - I bought a BMW R1100R within a month, took my test after about 6 months, same test covers Bike and Car and got my SG licence.
you can ride for up to one year, but must take your test here (written only) within that year, book in advance as the wait list can be up to three months. The test is multiple choice and pretty easy, so just get a singapore guide and you will have no problem. You can buy a bike and ride it as soon as you wish - do not worry too much about coe as it is pretty minimal on bikes (I have a bike and a car) I was in a similar situation but with a UK licence - I bought a BMW R1100R within a month, took my test after about 6 months, same test covers Bike and Car and got my SG licence.
I'm going to be coming to Singapore in July, and due to the cost of owning a car and relative convenience of public transportation, I'm thinking of getting a motorcycle. I've had a US motorcycle license for 3 years now and want to convert it into a Singapore license. And since I'm 6'4" and 130 kg, I'm thinking a <201 cc bike won't cut it for me. Does anyone know if it is possible to convert my license into a class 2 or 2A license? Since the US does not classify motorcycle licenses by size, I heard this is not possible. Any first hand experiences? Thanks!
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- Newbie
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I read somewhere that they have been becoming more strict about converting licenses. So I'm not sure if it is a gradual thing or if there was a specific changeover date. While I understand why the government has this restriction, I think that if you can pass the 2A or 2 test, why should you have to wait 1 year between them?
Lars: I've been looking at the Honda Varadero 125. It's a small engine, but the bike appears to be built for bigger people.
Lars: I've been looking at the Honda Varadero 125. It's a small engine, but the bike appears to be built for bigger people.
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- Newbie
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:46 pm
sillingw wrote:since you already have a licence for a large bike (assuming you have had more than 6 months) then it's pretty easy.
you can ride for up to one year, but must take your test here (written only) within that year, book in advance as the wait list can be up to three months. The test is multiple choice and pretty easy, so just get a singapore guide and you will have no problem. You can buy a bike and ride it as soon as you wish - do not worry too much about coe as it is pretty minimal on bikes (I have a bike and a car) I was in a similar situation but with a UK licence - I bought a BMW R1100R within a month, took my test after about 6 months, same test covers Bike and Car and got my SG licence.

- sundaymorningstaple
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- Location: Retired on the Little Red Dot
'Fraid your out of luck. It doesn't matter any longer WHAT you have been riding in you home country or what kind of motorcycle license it was. You will have to do the same route as every body else. It's tough but that the breaks. You start with a <200cc 2B license and go through the levels. Or you buy a car where it doesn't matter if it's an 800cc Kia or a Porsche Turbo Carrera. 

SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers
- sundaymorningstaple
- Moderator
- Posts: 39849
- Joined: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 1:26 pm
- Location: Retired on the Little Red Dot
That, or you do what most expats used to do. Ride anyway without the darn license and gamble that they won't get stopped. I rode a 750 Magna for almost a year without one, but the cage drivers finally made me wise up and get rid of the thing. I hate tailgating cage drivers! 

SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers
- Superglide
- Chatter
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Where's Strong Eagle when you need him?
Anyway, f*ck them "new" rules, be gentle to the officer at the counter when wanting to convert the licence, be nice, explain you rode that awesome bike back home and tell him, MOST IMPORTANT, you bought this heavy 1800cc (or alike) bike already here, so you need the licence to get rolling.
(Ignore the regulation f*ckers here, they are just bored).
Ride bro!, just do it!
Anyway, f*ck them "new" rules, be gentle to the officer at the counter when wanting to convert the licence, be nice, explain you rode that awesome bike back home and tell him, MOST IMPORTANT, you bought this heavy 1800cc (or alike) bike already here, so you need the licence to get rolling.
(Ignore the regulation f*ckers here, they are just bored).
Ride bro!, just do it!

If only we could pull out our brain and use only our eyes.
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso
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