motorbike licence in Singapore

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Lars andersen
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motorbike licence in Singapore

Post by Lars andersen » Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:01 pm

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

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sillingw
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Post by sillingw » Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:12 am

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.

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Post by abcb » Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:58 pm

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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Post by zjules » Wed, 09 Apr 2008 2:15 pm

You can now only convert to a 2B licence, so max 200cc. They used to be flexible on this if you could prove experience with a bigger bike, but no longer. You have to do the practical training and test after 1 year to get a 2A, then the same again a year later for the 2... booo

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Post by Lars andersen » Wed, 09 Apr 2008 4:38 pm

well if its definately <200, i think i'll have to let go of my beloved hayabusa....

as for being 6"6' and also for the other bloke 6"4' and 130kg, i guess we'll have to take on trail bikes..

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Post by sillingw » Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:49 am

when did the change happen? I have a freind who was in the same situation who converted his driver/rider UK licence only on a written test and got a class 2 licence only about a year ago, i did the same about 2 years ago. I hadn't heard of any changes since

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Post by abcb » Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:24 am

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.

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Post by Lars andersen » Thu, 10 Apr 2008 4:55 pm

NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
hayabusa to a 125 pipsqueak....

but if thats the case i'll check it out.. thanks... \\\


can anyone confirm these new rule changes?

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Post by zjules » Fri, 11 Apr 2008 2:05 pm

Yep, im doing the training right now. Foreigners can only convert to 2B. They say its not just the experience with the bike, but also experience on different type of roads and other drivers. Dont intend to get a 200cc, but will wait a year then get a 400. Its a little better...

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Post by Jeddyboy » Fri, 18 Apr 2008 8:06 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.

:???: Is this true for UK full motorcycle licence holders, or will I be restricted to riding nothing more than a glorified moped??? I mean, I am moving to Singapore shortly, and had intended to ride a large cc bike - I have a full UK licence.

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Fri, 18 Apr 2008 9:28 pm

'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

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Post by durain » Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:47 pm

that is pants! so i got to go down from a 996cc to a honda cub 70cc. :(

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:36 am

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! :x
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

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Post by durain » Sat, 19 Apr 2008 1:41 am

ah well... got to go legit in singapore, so kiss the italian stallion 996 goodbye and welcome the pizza delivery #1 honda cub. :)

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Post by Superglide » Sat, 19 Apr 2008 3:52 am

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! 8-)
If only we could pull out our brain and use only our eyes.
Pablo Picasso

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