Road Traffic Act 1961 - Singapore Statutes Online

Recognition of foreign driving licences and driving permits

38.—(1) Despite not holding a valid driving licence but subject to the provisions of this Act, it is lawful for a holder of a valid foreign driving licence to drive in Singapore, for a period of 12 months starting from the date of his or her last entry into Singapore, a motor vehicle of the class or description which the foreign driving licence authorises him or her to drive.

[28/2014]

(2) However, subsection (1) does not apply where the holder of the foreign driving licence —

(a)	is a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore; or
(b)	is a work pass driver. [28/2014]

(3) If at any time a holder of a valid foreign driving licence becomes —

(a)	a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore; or
(b)	a work pass driver,

then subsection (1) applies to that holder of a foreign driving licence for the prescribed period instead of the 12‑month period in subsection (1).

[28/2014]

(4) Despite not holding a valid driving licence, it is lawful for —

(a)	a member of a visiting force; or
(b)	a member of a civilian component of the visiting force,

who holds a driving permit issued to him or her by a competent authority of the country of the visiting force to drive in Singapore a motor vehicle belonging to the country of the visiting force which is of the class or description specified in the driving permit.

[28/2014]

(5) In this section —

“civilian component” and “visiting force” have the respective meanings given by the Visiting Forces Act 1960;

“permanent resident of Singapore” means a person who holds a valid entry permit under section 10 of the Immigration Act 1959 or a valid re‑entry permit under section 11 of that Act;

“prescribed period” means the period prescribed, starting from —

(a)	for a person referred to in subsection (3)(a), the date on which the person is granted a certificate of citizenship under the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore or an entry permit under the Immigration Act, whichever first happens; or
(b)	for a person referred to in subsection (3)(b), the date on which the person is issued with a work pass under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990;

“work pass driver” means the holder of a work pass issued under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 who drives a motor vehicle carrying passengers or goods or both —

(a)	for hire or reward; or
(b)	because of or under a contract of employment. [28/2014]

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