Singapore Expats

What would be a better idea - get my drivers license in Australia where I am now (given I'd have to complete about 50 hours of driving), or wait for Singapore? Are driving lessons cheap in Sing?

Where are you a citizen? I have no idea, some of regulars members may I'm sure, but I would think it would be easier to get your license in your home country. I take it this would be your first license as you mention the driving hours needed in the beginning. Not sure how you got it down to 50 hrs though. My son mentioned 100 hrs(?) when he was thinking of this, but I know if you wait until you are older, the hours reduce.

Matney wrote:Where are you a citizen? I have no idea, some of regulars members may I'm sure, but I would think it would be easier to get your license in your home country. I take it this would be your first license as you mention the driving hours needed in the beginning. Not sure how you got it down to 50 hrs though. My son mentioned 100 hrs(?) when he was thinking of this, but I know if you wait until you are older, the hours reduce.

Yep, Aussie citizen. It's 100 hours, but my parents are happy to fake the last 50 hours as they agree that the increase is horrible.

frenzal wrote:........but my parents are happy to fake the last 50 hours ...........

You'll do well in Singapore, will fit in perfectly.

. . . my parents are happy to fake the last 50 hours. .

Its sad listening to the upcoming generation with attitude like this. Obviously this new ruling was put into effect for everyone but yourself. Yup, Singapore will do you FINE!

Matney wrote:

. . . my parents are happy to fake the last 50 hours. .

Its sad listening to the upcoming generation with attitude like this. Obviously this new ruling was put into effect for everyone but yourself. Yup, Singapore will do you FINE!

I have differing circumstances. I had done many hours before my license expired (close to what was expired). Redoing what would be a total of over 130 hours sounds a bit of a stretch.

Unfortunately paying for 100 hours of lessons is way out of my budget at present.

And yes, what a horrible generation...obviously my own behaviour is generalisable to everyone else in my generation regardless of their background or personal situation.

I'm sure everyone in your generation followed all rules exactly as they were intended.

I never had a license in Singapore, didn't need one as we didn't have a car, but I would think if you have already lost your license for whatever reason, you would need to let whatever country's licensing bureau know that little bit of information. I don't know the circumstances behind your lapse of the expiration of license, but I again am assuming that it would be like starting back to square one.

No generation is perfect, neither was mine or was I. Sorry for that, still sad though that as adult your parents are willing to lie for you.

Frenz - check with either the RACV, RACQ, RSAA, or NRMA - ask them their advice also.

I know years ago, and I am talking many years ago, it was better to have an AUS licence if you want to rent cars elsewhere in the world. Now, I may very well be mistaken!!!!

HTH, P

Matney wrote:I never had a license in Singapore, didn't need one as we didn't have a car, but I would think if you have already lost your license for whatever reason, you would need to let whatever country's licensing bureau know that little bit of information. I don't know the circumstances behind your lapse of the expiration of license, but I again am assuming that it would be like starting back to square one.

No generation is perfect, neither was mine or was I. Sorry for that, still sad though that as adult your parents are willing to lie for you.

I think I might go for an Aussie license, after all. The irony is that I won't be driving in Singapore, I just want a license just in case.

My parents are quite rational. They will be able to make a judgment as to whether or not my skills are appropriate after 50 hours to pass the driving test, and drive on my own without the use of an instructor. The 50 hour requirement was in place for many years and has only recently been changed to 100. As I'm sure you agree, people learn at different rates, which exposes the problem with having such a high number of mandatory learning hours. The hours were increased to combat the problem with young teenage drivers who were prone to make dangerous decisions, and who are less mature (a small percentage). As a result, people not in that age bracket, or those who are mature and value safety also suffer

You don't have to spend money for the additional 50 hours worth of lessons. You could ask someone with a full licence eg. a relative or friend to supervise those additional 50 hours. Therefore there would be no additional cost to you and your parents would not have to lie.

positano wrote:You don't have to spend money for the additional 50 hours worth of lessons. You could ask someone with a full licence eg. a relative or friend to supervise those additional 50 hours. Therefore there would be no additional cost to you and your parents would not have to lie.

Yes, but only my dad drives and he is always out and about, thus he can't supervise me. Similarly, I doubt my friends would let me use their cars