No. S 46
Road Traffic Act
(CHAPTER 276)
Road Traffic
(Motor Vehicles, Driving Licences)
(Amendment) Rules 2015
In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 48 and 140 of the Road Traffic Act, the Minister for Home Affairs hereby makes the following Rules:
Citation and commencement
1.  These Rules may be cited as the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licences) (Amendment) Rules 2015 and shall come into operation on 1 February 2015.
Amendment of rule 2
2.  Rule 2(1) of the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licences) Rules (R 27) (referred to in these Rules as the principal Rules) is amended —
(a)by deleting the semi‑colon at the end of the definition of “provisional licence” and substituting a full‑stop; and
(b)by deleting the definitions of “registered medical practitioner” and “test”.
Amendment of rule 3
3.  Rule 3 of the principal Rules is amended —
(a)by deleting the word “or” at the end of paragraph (5)(a);
(b)by deleting the full‑stop at the end of sub‑paragraph (b) of paragraph (5) and substituting a semi‑colon, and by inserting immediately thereafter the following sub‑paragraphs:
(c)the Deputy Commissioner of Police or authorised officer is not satisfied that the applicant is physically fit to drive that class of vehicle; or
(d)the applicant has not passed the whole or such part of the prescribed test of competence to drive that class of vehicle as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may require.”; and
(c)by deleting paragraphs (6) and (7) and substituting the following paragraphs:
(6)  The prescribed fee referred to in section 35(6) and (6A) of the Act is $50 for —
(a)each grant of a driving licence for any class of vehicle; or
(b)a renewal of a driving licence in relation to all classes of vehicles specified or endorsed on the licence.
(7)  Despite paragraph (6), no fee is payable —
(a)for the grant of a driving licence under rule 21 where a holder of a driving licence applies under that rule for a driving licence to drive a class of vehicle that his current driving licence does not permit him to drive; or
(b)for the grant of a driving licence to a person referred to in section 36(2)(a)(i) of the Act.
(8)  A fee of $25 is payable for each grant or renewal of a provisional driving licence for any class of vehicle.
(9)  The Deputy Commissioner of Police may waive any fee referred to in this rule.”.
Deletion of rule 3A
4.  Rule 3A of the principal Rules is deleted.
Amendment of rule 4
5.  Rule 4 of the principal Rules is amended by deleting paragraph (2) and substituting the following paragraph:
(2)  To avoid doubt, the reference in this rule to the application for and the grant of a licence does not include an application for a renewal of a licence.”.
New rule 4A
6.  The principal Rules are amended by inserting, immediately after rule 4, the following rule:
Validity of driving licences for all classes of vehicles other than Class 4, 4A and 5 where holder attains prescribed age
4A.  A Class 1, 2, 2A, 2B, 3 or 3A driving licence ceases to be in force on the date the holder of the driving licence attains 65 years of age and at the end of every 3 years after that date (called in this rule collectively the specified ages), unless the holder —
(a)within 2 months before attaining any of the specified ages, undergoes a medical examination referred to in rule 5A(1) at his own expense; and
(b)submits to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, within such time as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may require but in any event no later than the date before the holder attains any of the specified ages, a certification by the registered medical practitioner who conducted the medical examination that the holder is physically fit to drive a vehicle of that class.”.
Deletion and substitution of rule 5
7.  Rule 5 of the principal Rules is deleted and the following rule substituted therefor:
Validity of Class 4, 4A and 5 driving licences where holder attains prescribed age
5.—(1)  A person who has attained 70 years of age shall not drive a Class 4, 4A or 5 vehicle.
(2)  A Class 4, 4A or 5 driving licence ceases to be in force on the date the holder of the driving licence attains 65, 66, 67, 68 or 69 years of age, unless the holder —
(a)within 2 months before attaining any such age, undergoes a medical examination referred to in rule 5A(1) at his own expense;
(b)submits to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, within such time as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may require but in any event no later than the date before the holder attains any such age, a certification by the registered medical practitioner who conducted the medical examination that the holder is physically fit to drive a vehicle of that class; and
(c)within 2 months before attaining any such age, passes the whole or such part of the Proficiency Driving Test as may be required by the Deputy Commissioner of Police.
(3)  For the purpose of paragraph (2)(c), the Deputy Commissioner of Police may, in special circumstances, waive any of the requirements specified in the Proficiency Driving Test.”.
Deletion and substitution of rule 5A
8.  Rule 5A of the principal Rules is deleted and the following rule substituted therefor:
Section 35(10A)(a) medical examination
5A.—(1)  The prescribed medical examination for the purposes of section 35(10A)(a) of the Act involves an examination of the driving licence holder’s —
(a)past medical history;
(b)vision;
(c)hearing;
(d)movement; and
(e)physical or mental abnormalities which may make the holder physically unfit to drive.
(2)  The medical examination referred to in paragraph (1) and the certification of a holder of a driving licence as being physically fit to drive a vehicle of a class specified in his driving licence is to be conducted by —
(a)such registered medical practitioner as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may specify; or
(b)a registered medical practitioner of the holder’s choice if the Deputy Commissioner of Police does not so specify.
(3)  A person referred to in section 36(2)(a)(i) of the Act who applies for a new licence must —
(a)within 2 months before his application, undergo a medical examination referred to in paragraph (1) at his own expense; and
(b)submit together with his application, a certification by the registered medical practitioner who conducted the medical examination that the person is physically fit to drive a vehicle of that class.”.
Deletion and substitution of rule 6
9.  Rule 6 of the principal Rules is deleted and the following rule substituted therefor:
Proficiency Driving Test for holder of Class 4, 4A and 5 driving licences
6.—(1)  The prescribed test of competence to drive for the purposes of sections 35(10A)(b) and 36(2)(b) of the Act is the Proficiency Driving Test.
(2)  The holder of a Class 4, 4A or 5 driving licence who is required by the Deputy Commissioner of Police to pass the Proficiency Driving Test shall make an application to the Deputy Commissioner of Police who shall arrange a time and place for the test to be conducted.
(3)  Where the holder of a driving licence referred to in paragraph (2) has failed the Proficiency Driving Test, the holder may apply to the Deputy Commissioner of Police for a retest.”.
Amendment of rule 8
10.  Rule 8 of the principal Rules is amended —
(a)by deleting the word “glasses” in paragraph (1)(d) and substituting the words “spectacles or contact lenses”; and
(b)by deleting the rule heading and substituting the following rule heading:
Prescribed diseases and disabilities”.
Amendment of rule 8A
11.  Rule 8A of the principal Rules is amended —
(a)by deleting paragraphs (1) and (2) and substituting the following paragraphs:
(1)  For the purposes of section 37(5) and (8) of the Act, the prescribed test, in relation to an applicant for the grant of a driving licence or a licence holder, is a medical examination and certification by —
(a)such registered medical practitioner as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may specify; or
(b)a registered medical practitioner of the holder’s choice if the Deputy Commissioner of Police does not so specify,
stating that the applicant or licence holder, as the case may be, is fit to drive a motor vehicle.
(2)  Where a licence holder claims to be subjected to the prescribed test under section 37(8) of the Act and he has previously undergone a medical examination by a registered medical practitioner for the purpose of section 37(6) of the Act, the Deputy Commissioner of Police may, by notice in writing to the licence holder, require that the prescribed test be conducted by any other registered medical practitioner.”; and
(b)by inserting, immediately after the word “test” in the rule heading, the words “for fitness to drive”.
Amendment of rule 9
12.  Rule 9 of the principal Rules is amended —
(a)by inserting, immediately after the words “competence to drive” in paragraph (1), the words “referred to in sections 35(6A), 36(1), 43(1)(b) and 47A of the Act”;
(b)by deleting the word “glasses” in paragraph (1)(a) and substituting the words “spectacles or contact lenses”;
(c)by deleting sub‑paragraph (c) of paragraph (1) and substituting the following sub‑paragraph:
(c)that he has passed the Motor Cycle Riding Theory Test referred to in the First Schedule;”;
(d)by deleting paragraph (2) and substituting the following paragraph:
(2)  An applicant for a Class 1, 3, 3A, 4, 4A or 5 driving licence shall be deemed to have passed the prescribed test of competence to drive referred to in sections 35(6A), 36(1), 43(1)(b) and 47A of the Act and shall be issued a driving licence if he satisfies the person conducting the test —
(a)that he is able to read at a distance of 25 metres (with the aid of spectacles or contact lenses, if worn) a motor vehicle number plate containing letters and figures;
(b)that he is able to distinguish the colours red, amber and green from a distance of 25 metres;
(c)that he has passed the Basic Driving Theory Test specified in the Third Schedule;
(d)that he has passed the Final Driving Theory Test specified in the Fourth Schedule; and
(e)that he has passed the Practical Driving Test specified in Part II of the Second Schedule within 2 years of having passed the Final Driving Theory Test specified in the Fourth Schedule.”;
(e)by deleting the words “section 36” in paragraph (4) and substituting the words “sections 35(6A), 36(1), 43(1)(b) and 47A”; and
(f)by deleting the rule heading and substituting the following rule heading:
Prescribed test of competence for grant of driving licence”.
Amendment of rule 11
13.  Rule 11(3) of the principal Rules is amended by deleting the words “section 36(5)” and substituting the words “section 36(7)”.
Amendment of rule 14
14.  Rule 14 of the principal Rules is amended —
(a)by inserting, immediately after the words “one year” in paragraph (2)(a), the words “starting from the date that his Class 2B licence is granted”;
(b)by inserting, immediately after the words “one year” in paragraph (3)(a), the words “starting from the date that his Class 2A licence is granted”; and
(c)by deleting the rule heading and substituting the following rule heading:
Restrictions against taking test of competence to ride Class 2, 2A or 2B vehicle”.
Amendment of rule 15
15.  Rule 15 of the principal Rules is amended by deleting the rule heading and substituting the following rule heading:
Restrictions against taking test of competence to drive Class 3 or 3A vehicle”.
Amendment of rule 16
16.  Rule 16 of the principal Rules is amended by deleting the rule heading and substituting the following rule heading:
Pre‑requisite for and restrictions against taking test of competence to drive Class 4, 4A or 5 vehicle”.
Amendment of rule 17
17.  Rule 17 of the principal Rules is amended —
(a)by deleting the words “shall be” in paragraph (1)(a) and (b) and substituting in each case the word “is”; and
(b)by deleting paragraph (2) and substituting the following paragraph:
(2)  Such fees must be payable in advance and is not refundable.”.
Deletion of rule 18
18.  Rule 18 of the principal Rules is deleted.
Deletion and substitution of rule 21
19.  Rule 21 of the principal Rules is deleted and the following rule substituted therefor:
Grant by endorsement on licence to drive additional classes of vehicles
21.  When the holder of a driving licence satisfies the Deputy Commissioner of Police that he is competent to drive a motor vehicle of a class which his driving licence does not permit him to drive, the Deputy Commissioner of Police may, on the application of the holder and subject to the holder passing all tests as may be required by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, grant the holder a licence to drive a motor vehicle of that class by making an endorsement on the driving licence.”.
Amendment of rule 21A
20.  Rule 21A(3) of the principal Rules is amended by deleting the words “section 62A(1)” and substituting the words “section 62A”.
Amendment of rule 22
21.  Rule 22 of the principal Rules is amended —
(a)by deleting the word “glasses” in paragraph (1)(a)(i) and substituting the words “spectacles or contact lenses”;
(b)by inserting the word “and” at the end of paragraph (1)(a)(iii);
(c)by deleting sub‑paragraph (iv) of paragraph (1)(a);
(d)by deleting the word “glasses” in paragraph (1)(b)(i) and substituting the words “spectacles or contact lenses”; and
(e)by deleting paragraphs (2) and (3) and substituting the following paragraphs:
(2)  An applicant shall not be granted a provisional licence to learn to drive —
(a)a Class 4 or Class 4A vehicle, unless —
(i)he is the holder of a driving licence authorising him to drive a Class 3 vehicle;
(ii)he is able to read at a distance of 25 metres (with the aid of spectacles or contact lenses, if worn) a motor vehicle number plate containing letters and figures;
(iii)he is able to distinguish the colours red, amber and green from a distance of 25 metres; and
(iv)he has not accumulated more than 12 demerit points as at the date of his application; or
(b)a Class 5 vehicle, unless —
(i)he is the holder of a driving licence authorising him to drive a Class 4 vehicle;
(ii)he is able to read at a distance of 25 metres (with the aid of spectacles or contact lenses, if worn) a motor vehicle number plate containing letters and figures;
(iii)he is able to distinguish the colours red, amber and green from a distance of 25 metres; and
(iv)he has not accumulated more than 12 demerit points as at the date of his application.
(3)  A licensee must comply with the following conditions:
(a)when the licensee is learning to drive a vehicle of a particular class, the licensee must be under the supervision and in the presence of a licensed instructor who holds the same class of licence as the licensee and who is —
(i)in the case of a licensee who holds a Class 2B provisional driving licence, riding astride behind the licensee as a pillion passenger within the circuit of a driving school which is licensed under Part III of the Act, or riding on another vehicle alongside, in front of or behind the licensee; or
(ii)in any case where the seating arrangement of the vehicle renders it practicable, sitting beside the licensee in the vehicle;
(b)the licensee must not carry any passenger, except —
(i)in the case of a licensee who holds a Class 2B provisional driving licence, a licensed instructor or a person who is a holder of a provisional driving licence for the same class of vehicle, and only within the circuit of a driving school which is licensed under Part III of the Act; or
(ii)in the case of a licensee who holds a provisional driving licence other than a Class 2B provisional driving licence, any licensed instructor or person appointed under rule 10;
(c)the licensee shall, while the motor vehicle is being driven by him, clearly display in a conspicuous position at the front and at the rear of the vehicle a distinguishing mark in the form set out in the Fifth Schedule; and
(d)the licensee shall not, except when he is undergoing a test —
(i)drive a motor vehicle within the areas set out in the Sixth Schedule on any day, not being a Sunday or a public holiday, during the following hours:
(A)7.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.
(B)12.30 p.m. to 2.00 p.m.
(C)4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.;
(ii)drive a motor vehicle within the areas set out in the Sixth Schedule on a Saturday, if that Saturday is not a public holiday, during the following hours:
(A)7.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.
(B)12.00 noon to 2.00 p.m.; and
(iii)drive a motor vehicle at any time on any of the roads or within any of the places specified in the Seventh Schedule.
(4)  In this rule —
“licensee” means the holder of a provisional driving licence;
“licensed instructor” means —
(a)a person who is employed as a driving instructor by a driving school which is licensed under Part III of the Act; or
(b)a person who holds an instructor’s licence granted under Part III of the Act.”.
Amendment of rule 25
22.  Rule 25(1) of the principal Rules is amended by inserting, immediately after the words “the Act or rule” in sub‑paragraph (b), the words “21 or”.
Amendment of First Schedule
23.  The First Schedule to the principal Rules is amended by deleting the words “Rule 9(1)(c)(i)” in the Schedule reference and substituting the words “Rule 9(1)(c)”.
Amendment of Second Schedule
24.  The Second Schedule to the principal Rules is amended by deleting the words “Rules 5(3)” in the Schedule reference and substituting the words “Rules 2(1)”.
Deletion and substitution of Sixth Schedule
25.  The Sixth Schedule to the principal Rules is deleted and the following Schedule substituted therefor:
SIXTH SCHEDULE
Rule 22(3)(d)(i) and (ii)
Prohibited Area
Commencing at a point on the southern coast of the island of Singapore where the production southwards of Kampong Bahru Road meets the sea coast, the boundary runs along the aforesaid production of Kampong Bahru Road to Kampong Bahru Road, thence in succession along Kampong Bahru Road, Lower Delta Road, Tiong Bahru Road, Tanglin Road, Orange Grove Road, Anderson Road, Balmoral Road, Chancery Lane, Thomson Road, Moulmein Road, Balestier Road, Lavender Street, Kallang Road, Geylang Road, Sims Way, Nicoll Highway, Republic Avenue, Republic Boulevard, and ending at a point on the southern coast of the Island of Singapore where the production southwards of Republic Boulevard meets the sea coast, and which is more particularly delineated in the following map:
6thSched image.jpg”.
Amendment of Seventh Schedule
26.  The Seventh Schedule to the principal Rules is amended by deleting the words “Rule 22(3)(e)(iii)” in the Schedule reference and substituting the words “Rule 22(3)(d)(iii)”.
[G.N. Nos. S 562/2002; S 245/2004; S 304/2004; S 515/2004; S 774/2004; S 392/2005; S 500/2005; S 28/2009; S 112/2010; S 646/2010; S 55/2012; S 275/2013; S 276/2013; S 108/2014]
Made on 29 January 2015.
LEO YIP
Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Home Affairs,
Singapore.
[MHA 112/2/033; AG/LLRD/SL/276/2010/11 Vol. 4]
(To be presented to Parliament under section 141(1) of the Road Traffic Act).