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How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Discuss how you can convert your foreign drivers' licence and other topics relating to drivers' licence.
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jagermeister
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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by jagermeister » Wed, 01 Nov 2017 6:34 pm

Pls just don’t ride a bike in S’pore. Number of bike accidents here are crazy high
thanks wind, you totally raped my hair

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Strong Eagle
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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by Strong Eagle » Thu, 02 Nov 2017 10:01 pm

jagermeister wrote:Pls just don’t ride a bike in S’pore. Number of bike accidents here are crazy high
That's because of the crazy idiot bike riders who pay no attention. A bunch of carrots.

Singapore is really one of the better places to ride a motorcycle. You want truly insane? Try Athens.

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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by The Ref » Fri, 03 Nov 2017 5:18 pm

Slightly different question to the rest.
I converter my Car Drivers License in early 2003 and I do not currently have a motorbike license.

Given the time constraints in getting license here in SG, I was considering doing the course in Australia - but then is there anyway to get the bike license transferred to SG given I transferred my car license years ago?

Yes, I know more training is better but here takes about 6 months and my main wish is to be covered by insurance when on a bike in Asia, but it would help to have here as well. I have driven for many years and have ridden motor bikes offroad before.

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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by nawshie » Sat, 26 Jan 2019 11:12 am

Hey all,
Looking for advice from fellow converters :)
I am trying to convert my motor cycle license, Texas class M (open) from the USA to a Singapore class 2 (open) license however I seem to be in a pickle ... The website States that I need documentary proof of size of bike tested on by the authority. I don't have a letter but I have the training and pass slip showing the registration and insurance of the bike and size however the guy at Butik Batok denied me.
I am trying to see who else had similar issues and managed to Wade through the red tape to get it ...

Any advice welcome as I want to go back and try at the woodlands
Thanks

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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by PNGMK » Sat, 26 Jan 2019 12:52 pm

nawshie wrote:Hey all,
Looking for advice from fellow converters :)
I am trying to convert my motor cycle license, Texas class M (open) from the USA to a Singapore class 2 (open) license however I seem to be in a pickle ... The website States that I need documentary proof of size of bike tested on by the authority. I don't have a letter but I have the training and pass slip showing the registration and insurance of the bike and size however the guy at Butik Batok denied me.
I am trying to see who else had similar issues and managed to Wade through the red tape to get it ...

Any advice welcome as I want to go back and try at the woodlands
Thanks
It's getting harder for sure.
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You've been arrested? Law Society of Singapore can provide referrals.
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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by Strong Eagle » Sat, 26 Jan 2019 1:10 pm

What training? The MSF weekend training course? I don't think it shows what cc's you used and in any event, the basic course is small bikes. If you took the advanced course with your own bike, you should be able to prove up cc's.

If you have been riding large bikes in Texas, take pictures. Can you match the date of purchase of your large bike against your training pass date?

It used to be a lot easier. You are going to have to cough up evidence that they passed you on a big bike. A flight back and the advanced riders course may be what you need.

Other folks have tried a different route. Don't get your Singapore motorcycle license at all. Buy and ride a big bike in Singapore for almost a year, using your Texas license, then ask for the class 2 license. I've seen one circumstance where this was denied, and one where it was approved. Like PNGMK said... it's getting harder... mainly because too many people of too young an age have attempted to get unlimited class 2 licenses even though they didn't have such a bike at home.

My ride when I was in Singapore.

Image

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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by nawshie » Sat, 26 Jan 2019 1:31 pm

Strong Eagle wrote:What training? The MSF weekend training course? I don't think it shows what cc's you used and in any event, the basic course is small bikes. If you took the advanced course with your own bike, you should be able to prove up cc's.

If you have been riding large bikes in Texas, take pictures. Can you match the date of purchase of your large bike against your training pass date?

It used to be a lot easier. You are going to have to cough up evidence that they passed you on a big bike. A flight back and the advanced riders course may be what you need.

Other folks have tried a different route. Don't get your Singapore motorcycle license at all. Buy and ride a big bike in Singapore for almost a year, using your Texas license, then ask for the class 2 license. I've seen one circumstance where this was denied, and one where it was approved. Like PNGMK said... it's getting harder... mainly because too many people of too young an age have attempted to get unlimited class 2 licenses even though they didn't have such a bike at home.

My ride when I was in Singapore.
I did both courses (Basic and Advanced) and got them to mark down the bike, reg and CC on the certificate. I was thinking of getting a formal letter from the training center to state all the evidence down and indicate they are a state authorized testing etc. Have all papers, photos of all 3 big bikes i owned and rode ...

I did though bring all my insurance, photos, titles, registrations and buyer papers with me as i heard some horror stories.

Thanks for the info !!

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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by Strong Eagle » Sat, 26 Jan 2019 11:16 pm

A couple of other thoughts. You might consider an actual riding test with DPS instead of the MSF certificate. You might also get a drivers license history... I'd been riding for 40 years when I got to Singapore... it doesn't say that on a license.

And, you might try the police at a different driving center. It's been a while, and, I found the folks at Bukit Batok driving center to be helpful, while others found System and Comfort lesss accommodating.

Your key, above providing proof that you got your license on a big bike, is to show you've ridden for a while. You have to push the idea that there are no 2b, 2a, 2 classes in Texas, therefore, they must accept alternate documentation.

If you get rejected at the driving centers you will have to appeal, perhaps to the main SPF HQ as a starting point.

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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by nawshie » Sat, 26 Jan 2019 11:41 pm

Thanks

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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by PNGMK » Mon, 28 Jan 2019 10:11 am

If you just want to commute a small bike is fine. If you want to tour then one option is to keep a bike In JB and use your Texas license from there up to Thailand etc.
I not lawyer/teacher/CPA.
You've been arrested? Law Society of Singapore can provide referrals.
You want an International School job? School website or http://www.ISS.edu
Your rugrat needs a School? Avoid for profit schools
You need Tax advice? Ask a CPA
You ran away without doing NS? Shame on you!

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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by nawshie » Mon, 28 Jan 2019 12:33 pm

Yeah thats a good idea !

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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by Strong Eagle » Mon, 28 Jan 2019 1:03 pm

Well... I rode my BFM (the Valk shown above) all over Singapore, and it was great... except for some of the crappier motorcycle parking lots which were too crowded. You can still lane split all but the tightest of roads, and in any event, I only lane split traffic stopped at lights and on very slow moving expressways.

My biggest problem, as an expat riding a BFM in Singapore, was taxi drivers rolling down their windows to ask, "How much you pay?"

A chief advantage of a larger bike is visibility... you stick out more... but there are so many bikes and the driving population is used to them, that it's not like the USA where bikes are a relative rarity.

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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by Oak » Mon, 01 Jul 2019 1:08 pm

Hi All,

2 years ago I tried and failed to convert my Full UK motorbike licence to a Singapore Class 2 licence and only got a 2B licence. I appealed and sent evidence of ownership and insurance of larger motorcycles while living in England and Germany but told without the original pass certificate showing the training and test was taken on a motorcycle was over a certain cc (i think 400) that i could not get the unrestricted Class 2 licence.

To get the UK motorcycle licence you have have to train and take a test on a motorcycle over 595 cc (and 50hp) so the fact is I have taken this test and got the licence is clear evidence that the test was taken on a bike which should qualify for an unrestricted licence here in Singapore - but still no..

I spoke to the original test centre and the DVLA to ask if they can reissue the original pass certificate but as this was over 10 years ago (I passed the Direct Access motorcycle test and training in 2001) they do not have a copy of this and are not (by law) required to reissue given how long ago it was...

Since my appeal failed 2 years ago I have been riding a scooter on a 2B licence but would still like to try and convert the licence to an unrestricted one.

My question is whether there is any law firm or specialist company here that can act on behalf to try this conversion again? Perhaps a company like this may have better relationships and can explain the situation better with people they know at the SPF Licence Conversion Department?

Ultimately I have taken the correct test, have a number of years riding large cc motorcycles (Ducati/Triumph etc) so my wish to convert is totally legitimate!

thanks for any help / pointers here!

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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by PNGMK » Mon, 01 Jul 2019 1:25 pm

No I'm sorry I don't know why they have made it so hard but the subcons are probably to blame.
I not lawyer/teacher/CPA.
You've been arrested? Law Society of Singapore can provide referrals.
You want an International School job? School website or http://www.ISS.edu
Your rugrat needs a School? Avoid for profit schools
You need Tax advice? Ask a CPA
You ran away without doing NS? Shame on you!

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Re: How to convert your motorcycle license into a Singapore one

Post by The Ref » Mon, 01 Jul 2019 2:13 pm

I have just got my 2B but it looks like the peeps doing 2A had 3 lessons and it didnt look that hard. Suggest doing the lessons are easier thsan fighting it

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