Road Traffic Act
(CHAPTER 276, Sections 48 and 140)
Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licences) Rules
R 27
G.N. No. S 343/1985

REVISED EDITION 1990
(25th March 1992)
[13th December 1985]
Citation
1.  These Rules may be cited as the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licences) Rules.
Definitions
2.  In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires —
“demerit points” means the demerit points awarded to the holder of a driving licence under the Road Traffic (Driver Improvement Points System) Rules;
[R 25.]
“driving licence” means a licence to drive a motor vehicle granted under Part II of the Act;
“licence” includes a driving licence and a provisional licence;
“licensed”, in relation to a driving school, means licensed under the Road Traffic (Driving Instructors and Driving Schools) Rules;
[R 16.]
[S 289/95 wef 01/07/1995]
“overall height”, in relation to a motor vehicle, means the distance between the surface on which the motor vehicle rests and —
(a)the highest point of the vehicle; or
(b)where the vehicle is carrying a load, the highest point of the load;
[S 419/95 wef 15/09/1995]
“provisional licence” means a licence granted by the Deputy Commissioner of Police under section 36(3) of the Act;
“test” means the prescribed test of competence referred to in section 36 of the Act or a test to which a person may claim under section 37(2) or (3) of the Act.
Application for grant or renewal of licence
3.—(1)  A person who desires to obtain or renew a licence shall submit an application therefor in such form and shall furnish such particulars as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may require.
(2)  Where an applicant has attained the age of 60 years but is less than the age of 63 years, the Deputy Commissioner of Police may require him to be certified physically and mentally fit by a registered medical practitioner of his own choice, or by such registered medical practitioner as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may direct, at his own cost, and that person if he is certified physically and mentally fit shall not in any subsequent application for renewal of a licence be subjected to any further medical examination until after he has attained the age of 63 years.
(3)  Where an applicant has attained the age of 63 years, the Deputy Commissioner of Police may require him to be certified physically and mentally fit in the manner prescribed in paragraph (2) and no licence issued to such person shall be granted or renewed for a period exceeding one year.
(4)  Notwithstanding paragraph (3), the Deputy Commissioner of Police may require an applicant for a Class 4, 4A or 5 licence on attaining the age of 65 years to be certified physically and mentally fit by a registered medical practitioner in the public service as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may direct and at his own cost.
(5)  An application for the grant or renewal of a licence may be received and dealt with at any time within one month before the date on which the grant or renewal of the licence is to take effect.
(6)  Where an applicant referred to in paragraph (2), (3) or (4) fails to be certified physically and mentally fit by a registered medical practitioner, the Deputy Commissioner of Police shall not renew his driving licence for any of the classes of vehicle for which he was authorised to drive.
(7)  The fee payable for the grant or renewal of a driving licence shall be $20 for one year and $60 for 3 years.
(8)  The fee payable for the grant or renewal of a provisional licence for each class of vehicle shall be $20 for 6 months or part thereof.
Driving licence not to be granted when another driving licence held by applicant suspended or revoked, etc.
3A.—(1)  No person shall be granted a licence of any class if his application for such licence is made —
(a)during the period of suspension of a licence, whether of the same or of a different class, held by him;
(b)during the period for which he has been disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence, whether of the same or of a different class; or
(c)within the period of one year from the date of the revocation of a licence, whether of the same or of a different class, held by him.
(2)  The reference in this rule to the application for and the grant of a licence shall not include an application for, and the grant of, a renewal of a licence.
[S 288/95 wef 01/07/1995]
Proficiency Driving Tests for applicants above 65 years of age
4.—(1)  Where an applicant for a Class 4, 4A or 5 licence has attained the age of 65 years and has been certified physically and mentally fit by a registered medical practitioner in accordance with rule 3(4), the Deputy Commissioner of Police may also require him to pass a Proficiency Driving Test before renewing his licence.
(2)  The Deputy Commissioner of Police may, in the special circumstances of any case, waive all or any of the requirements specified in the Proficiency Driving Test.
(3)  In this rule and rule 5, “Proficiency Driving Test” means the test specified in Part III of the Second Schedule.
Applications for Proficiency Driving Test
5.—(1)  An applicant for a Class 4, 4A or 5 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.
(2)  Where an applicant has failed the Proficiency Driving Test, his driving licence shall not be renewed but he may apply to the Deputy Commissioner of Police for a retest.
(3)  Subject to rule 19(2), an applicant whose Class 4, 4A or 5 licence has expired before the date of his Proficiency Driving Test or retest may apply to the Deputy Commissioner of Police for a provisional driving licence, the validity of which shall not exceed 6 months and which shall not be renewable.
Vehicle used for Proficiency Driving Test
6.  A person undergoing the Proficiency Driving Test shall provide at his own expense a motor vehicle which is, in the opinion of the person conducting the test, suitable for the purpose and which is in good mechanical condition.
Disabilities
7.—(1)  An applicant for a licence shall not be entitled to claim to be subjected to a test as to his fitness or ability to drive a motor vehicle under section 37 of the Act if —
(a)he is suffering from mental disorder;
(b)he is suffering from epilepsy;
(c)he is liable to sudden attacks of disabling giddiness or fainting;
(d)he is not able to read at a distance of 25 metres (with the aid of glasses, if worn) a series of 6 letters and figures in white on a black background of the same size and arrangement as those prescribed for the identification mark of a motor vehicle; and
(e)he is not able to distinguish the colours red, amber and green from a distance of 25 metres.
(2)  For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), “mental disorder” includes idiocy and any mental disorder for which an order has been made under section 25 of the Mental Disorders and Treatment Act [Cap. 178] in respect of any person for his detention or for his delivery over to the care and custody of a relative or friend or, where he is a patient in a mental hospital, for his temporary absence from that hospital.
Nature of test
8.—(1)  An applicant for a Class 2, 2A or 2B licence shall be deemed to have passed the prescribed test of competence to drive and shall be granted 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 glasses, 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 —
(i)passed the Motor-cycle Riding Theory Test referred to in the First Schedule; and
(ii)attended and successfully completed a circuit training programme conducted by a licensed driving school; and
[S 289/95 wef 01/11/1995]
(d)that he has passed the Practical Riding Test specified in the Second Schedule within one year of having passed the Motor-cycle Riding Theory Test referred to in sub-paragraph (c).
(2)  An applicant for a driving licence, other than a Class 2, 2A or 2B licence, shall be deemed to have passed the prescribed test of competence to drive 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 glasses, 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 the Second Schedule within two years of having passed the Final Driving Theory Test referred to in sub-paragraph (d).
(3)  The Deputy Commissioner of Police may in his discretion waive all or any of the requirements of this rule.
Persons by whom tests shall be conducted
9.—(1)  A test shall be conducted by a person appointed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police.
(2)  The Deputy Commissioner of Police may appoint such other person as he thinks fit to supervise or observe the conduct of the test.
(3)  A person appointed under paragraph (2) to supervise or observe a test may be present in or on the vehicle which is being used in the conduct of the test.
Appointment of time and place for test
10.—(1)  Any person who desires to take a test shall make an application to the Deputy Commissioner of Police who shall arrange a time and place for the test to be conducted.
(2)  In the case of an application for a second or subsequent test, the Deputy Commissioner of Police may in his discretion refuse to grant a test date earlier than 6 months from the date of the previous test.
(3)  Paragraph (2) shall not apply to a person in respect of whom an order has been made by a court under section 36(5) of the Act.
Test not to be taken when another driving licence held by applicant suspended or revoked, etc.
10A.  A person shall not be allowed to take a test of competence to drive any class of vehicle —
(a)during the period of suspension of a licence, whether for the same or for a different class of vehicle, held by him;
(b)during the period for which he has been disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence, whether for the same or for a different class of vehicle; or
(c)within the period of one year from the date of the revocation of a licence, whether for the same or for a different class of vehicle, held by him.
[S 288/95 wef 01/07/1995]
Production of vehicle for test
11.  A person undergoing a test of competence to drive shall provide at his own expense a motor vehicle which is, in the opinion of the person conducting the test, suitable for the purpose and which is in good mechanical condition.
Circumstances in which person may take test of competence to ride Class 2, 2A or 2B vehicle
12.  A person shall not be allowed to take a test of competence to ride —
(a)a Class 2B vehicle, if he has, as a holder of a driving licence, been awarded with more than 12 demerit points at the time of the application;
(b)a Class 2A vehicle, unless he has been holding a driving licence in respect of a Class 2B vehicle for at least one year and has not been awarded with more than 12 demerit points at the time of the application; and
(c)A Class 2 vehicle, unless he has been holding a driving licence in respect of a Class 2A vehicle for at least one year and has not been awarded with more than 12 demerit points at the time of the application.
Test of competence to drive Class 3 vehicle not to be taken by applicant awarded with more than 12 demerit points
12A.  A person shall not be allowed to take a test of competence to drive a Class 3 vehicle if he has, as the holder of a licence for any other class of vehicle, been awarded with more than 12 demerit points at the time of the application.
[S 288/95 wef 01/07/1995]
Test of competence to drive a Class 4, 4A or 5 vehicle
13.—(1)  Any person desiring to submit himself for a test of competence to drive —
(a)a Class 4 or Class 4A vehicle shall satisfy the Deputy Commissioner of Police that he is competent to drive a Class 3 vehicle; and
(b)a Class 5 vehicle shall satisfy the Deputy Commissioner of Police that he is competent to drive a Class 4 vehicle.
(2)  For the purpose of paragraph (1), a person shall not be deemed to be competent to drive a vehicle of any class if he, as a holder of a driving licence, has been awarded with more than 12 demerit points at the time of the application.
(3)  The Deputy Commissioner of Police may in his discretion waive the requirements of this rule.
Fees in respect of tests
14.—(1)  The fees payable for —
(a)a Motor-cycle Riding Theory Test, Basic Driving Theory Test or Final Driving Theory Test shall be $3; and
(b)a Practical Riding Test, Practical Driving Test or a Proficiency Driving Test shall be $18.
[S 363/96 wef 01/10/1996]
(2)  Such fees shall be payable in advance and shall not be refundable.
Application for licence from non-resident holding other recognised driving permit
15.—(1)  An applicant for a licence may be exempted from undergoing the test of competence to drive referred to in section 36 of the Act if he satisfies the Deputy Commissioner of Police that he is not resident in Singapore and is the holder of an International Driving Permit issued under any International Convention on Road Traffic to which Singapore is a party or is licensed or otherwise authorised to drive a motor vehicle of the class for which he desires a driving licence by the competent authority of a country other than Singapore.
(2)  The Deputy Commissioner of Police may issue to such applicant a licence to drive a motor vehicle for the respective class on payment of the appropriate fee specified in rule 3(5).
Classification of motor vehicles
16.  For the purposes of these Rules, motor vehicles shall be divided into the following classes:
(a)Class 1 vehicles which shall consist of invalid carriages, that is to say, motor vehicles the weight of which unladen does not exceed 250 kilograms and which are specially designed and constructed and not merely adapted for the use of persons suffering from some physical defect or disability and are used solely by such persons;
(b)Class 2 vehicles which shall consist of motor-cycles with a cylinder capacity that exceeds 400 cubic centimetres;
(c)Class 2A vehicles which shall consist of motor-cycles with a cylinder capacity that exceeds 200 but does not exceed 400 cubic centimetres;
(d)Class 2B vehicles which shall consist of motor-cycles with a cylinder capacity that does not exceed 200 cubic centimetres;
(e)Class 3 vehicles which shall consist of —
(i)motor-cars the weight of which unladen does not exceed 2,500 kilograms and with a carrying capacity of not more than 15 adult passengers; and
(ii)motor tractors the weight of which unladen does not exceed 2,500 kilograms;
(f)Class 4 vehicles which shall consist of heavy motor-cars and motor tractors, the weight of which unladen exceeds 2,500 kilograms;
(g)Class 4A vehicles which shall consist of heavy motor-cars which are omnibuses, that is to say, public service vehicles which are used on scheduled services and in which passengers are charged separate and distinct fares; and
(h)Class 5 vehicles which shall consist of —
(i)light locomotives, that is to say, motor vehicles which are not constructed to carry and load (other than water, fuel, accumulators and other equipment and materials used for the purpose of propulsion, loose tools and loose equipment) and the weight of which unladen does not exceed 11,500 kilograms; and
(ii)heavy locomotives, that is to say, motor vehicles which are not constructed to carry any load (other than water, fuel, accumulators and other equipment and materials used for the purpose of propulsion, loose tools and loose equipment) and the weight of which unladen exceeds 11,500 kilograms.
Particulars to be entered on licence
17.—(1)  Every licence shall contain such particulars as may be required by the Deputy Commissioner of Police.
(2)  A driving licence may authorise the holder thereof to drive all, or one or more, classes of motor vehicles as are specified in the driving licence.
(3)  The holder of a licence shall not make any mark or entry upon, or erase, cancel or alter any mark or entry contained in his licence.
Endorsement on licence to drive other classes of vehicles
18.  When the holder of a driving licence satisfies a Deputy Commissioner of Police that he is competent to drive a motor vehicle of a class which he is not authorised to drive, the Deputy Commissioner may on payment of a fee of $5 make an endorsement on the driving licence either requiring him to undergo a test, or exempting him from such test.
Conditions for grant of provisional licence
19.—(1)  A provisional licence to learn to drive —
(a)a Class 2B vehicle shall not be granted to an applicant unless —
(i)he is able to read at a distance of 25 metres (with the aid of glasses, if worn) a motor vehicle number plate containing letters and figures;
(ii)he is able to distinguish the colours red, amber and green from a distance of 25 metres;
(iii)he has passed the Motor-cycle Riding Theory Test referred to in the First Schedule; and
(iv)he has attended and successfully completed a circuit training programme conducted by a licensed driving school; and
(b)a Class 3 vehicle shall not be granted to an applicant unless —
(i)he is able to read at a distance of 25 metres (with the aid of glasses, if worn) a motor vehicle number plate containing letters and figures;
(ii)he is able to distinguish the colours red, amber and green from a distance of 25 metres; and
(iii)he has passed the Basic Driving Theory Test referred to in the Third Schedule.
(2)  An applicant shall not be granted a provisional licence to learn to drive —
(a)a Class 4 or Class 4A vehicle, unless he is the holder of a driving licence authorising him to drive a Class 3 vehicle; and
(b)a Class 5 vehicle, unless he is the holder of a driving licence authorising him to drive a Class 4 vehicle.
(3)  The holder of a provisional licence shall comply with the following conditions:
(a)he shall use the provisional licence only while under the supervision of the following person:
(i)in the case of the holder of a Class 2B provisional licence, a person who holds a Class 2, Class 2A or Class 2B driving licence and who is employed as a driving instructor by a driving school which is licensed to provide training for motorcyclists; and
(ii)in any other case, a person who holds a driving licence for a vehicle of the same class as the vehicle which the holder of the provisional licence is authorised by his provisional licence to learn to drive,
and such person shall be present with the holder of the provisional licence at all times when he is using his provisional licence in the following manner:
(A)in the case of the holder of a Class 2B provisional licence, the person supervising him shall ride on his own vehicle alongside, in front of or behind the holder of the provisional licence; and
(B)in any other case, where the seating arrangement of the vehicle renders it practicable, the person supervising the holder of the provisional licence shall be seated beside him in the vehicle;
(b)he shall not carry any passenger, except that in the case of the holder of a Class 3, Class 4, Class 4A or Class 5 provisional licence —
(i)the holder of a driving licence who is giving him instructions in the driving of the motor vehicle; or
(ii)the person appointed under rule 9 to supervise or observe a test,
may be present in or on the vehicle when the holder of the provisional licence is using his provisional licence or taking the test, as the case may be;
(c)he 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;
(d)in the case of —
(i)the holder of a Class 2B provisional licence, he shall not —
(A)drive a motor vehicle on any road except the roads in the areas specified in the Eighth Schedule; and
(B)except when he is undergoing a test, drive a motor vehicle during the following hours:
7.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.
12.30 p.m. to 2.00 p.m.
4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.,
on any day from Monday to Friday, if that day is not a public holiday; and
7.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.
12.00 noon to 2.00 p.m.,
on a Saturday, if that Saturday is not a public holiday;
(ii)in any other case, he shall not, except when he is undergoing a test —
(A)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:
7.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.
12.30 p.m. to 2.00 p.m.
4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.;
(B)drive a motor vehicle within those areas on a Saturday, if that Saturday is not a public holiday, during the following hours:
7.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.
12.00 noon to 2.00 p.m.; and
(C)drive a motor vehicle at any time on any of the roads or within any of the places specified in the Seventh Schedule.
[S 289/95 wef 01/07/1995]
Holder of provisional licence not to drive vehicle on road when another driving licence held by him suspended or revoked, etc.
19A.  The holder of a provisional licence shall not use the provisional licence for the purpose of driving a motor vehicle on the road —
(a)during the period of suspension of a licence for a different class of vehicle held by him;
(b)during the period for which he has been disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for a different class of vehicle; or
(c)within the period of one year from the date of the revocation of a licence for a different class of vehicle held by him.
[S 288/95 wef 01/07/1995]
Production of licence
20.  The Deputy Commissioner of Police or any authorised officer may by notice in writing require the holder of a licence to produce his licence for inspection at a time and place specified in the notice.
Replacement of lost or defaced licence
21.—(1)  If the holder of a licence satisfies the Deputy Commissioner of Police that his licence has been lost or defaced, the Deputy Commissioner shall on payment of a fee of $5 issue a duplicate licence to him and the duplicate licence so issued shall have the same effect as the original.
(2)  If at any time while a duplicate licenceis in force the original licence is found, the person to whom the original licence was issued shall, if the original licence is in his possession, return it to the Deputy Commissioner of Police forthwith or, if that licence is not in his possession, he shall take all reasonable steps to obtain possession of it and return it forthwith to the Deputy Commissioner.
[S 484/98 wef 01/10/1998]
Notification of change of address
22.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (2), the holder of a licence shall notify the Deputy Commissioner of Police in writing of any change in his residential address within 28 days of such change.
(2)  Where the holder of a licence who has changed his residential address makes a report of the change under section 8 of the National Registration Act [Cap. 201] within 28 days thereof, he shall be deemed to have notified the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the change in his residential address in compliance with paragraph (1).
[S 82/95 wef 01/03/1995]
Copy or extract of register
23.  The fee payable for a copy of or an extract from any records maintained by the Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be $5 .
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