Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licences) Rules

Road Traffic Act

(Chapter 276, Sections 48 and 140)

R 27

G.N. No. S 343/1985

REVISED EDITION 1999

(30th September 1999)

[13th December 1985]

Citation

1. These Rules may be cited as the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licences) Rules.

Definitions

2.—(1) In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires —

“authorised officer” means a person authorised by the Deputy Commissioner of Police to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Deputy Commissioner of Police under these Rules, and includes an overseas representative;

[S 562/2002 wef 16/12/2002]

“distinguishing mark” means the distinguishing mark referred to in rule 5 of the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules (R 32);

[S 646/2010 wef 01/11/2010]

“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);

“new driver” has the same meaning as in rule 2 of the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules;

[S 646/2010 wef 01/11/2010]

“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;

“overseas representative” means a diplomatic or consular officer of the government in any foreign country and includes a Trade Commissioner of Singapore in any foreign country;

[S 562/2002 wef 16/12/2002]

“period of probation” has the same meaning as in rule 2 of the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules;

[S 646/2010 wef 01/11/2010]

“Proficiency Driving Test” means the test specified in Part III of the Second Schedule;

[S 562/2002 wef 01/11/2002]

“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.

[S 245/2004 wef 30/04/2004]

[S 392/2005 wef 20/06/2005]

(2) For the purposes of these Rules, where the holder of a driving licence applies to take or takes any test of competence, or applies for any provisional licence under these Rules, the number of demerit points accumulated by him as at the date of his application or the date of his test of competence (as the case may be) shall be the aggregate of the following:

(a)

any demerit points already awarded to him under the Road Traffic (Driver Improvement Points System) Rules (R 25) as at the date of his application or test of competence; and

(b)

where —

(i)	on or before the date of his application or test of competence, a notice under section 132 or 133 of the Act has been issued to or criminal proceedings have been instituted against him in respect of any offence which is specified in the Schedule to the Road Traffic (Driver Improvement Points System) Rules (referred to in this paragraph as a scheduled offence); and
(ii)	as at the date of his application or test of competence, he has not paid the prescribed penalty for the scheduled offence, or the criminal proceedings have not been concluded, as the case may be,

any demerit points which would be awarded to him if, after the date of his application or test of competence, he were to pay the prescribed penalty for, or be convicted of, the scheduled offence, as the case may be.

[S 646/2010 wef 01/11/2010]

Application for grant or renewal of licence

3.—(1) Except with the approval of the Deputy Commissioner of Police or an authorised officer, a person who desires to obtain or renew a licence shall —

(a)	submit in person to the Deputy Commissioner of Police or authorised officer an application in such form as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may determine; and
(b)	furnish such particulars as the Deputy Commissioner of Police or authorised officer may require.

(2) An application for the grant or renewal of a driving licence shall be accompanied by one photograph of the applicant.

(3) The photograph referred to in paragraph (2) shall comply with the specifications set out in the Ninth Schedule.

(4) 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.

(5) The Deputy Commissioner of Police or authorised officer may refuse to grant or renew a driving licence for any of the classes of vehicles in respect of which the application is made if —

(a)

the applicant fails to submit a photograph in accordance with paragraph (2); or

(b)

in the opinion of the Deputy Commissioner of Police or authorised officer, the photograph of the applicant accompanying his application for the driving licence —

(i)	does not comply with the specifications set out in the Ninth Schedule;
(ii)	is distorted or unclear; or
(iii)	has been tampered with.

(6) The fee payable for the grant or renewal of a driving licence shall be as follows:

(a)	where the applicant is a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore, $50 for the duration of the applicant’s lifetime; or
(b)	where the applicant is not a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore, $50 for any period not exceeding 5 years from the date of the grant or renewal of the licence.

(7) The fee payable for the grant or renewal of a provisional driving licence for each class of vehicle shall be $25 for 6 months or part thereof.

[S 562/2002 wef 16/12/2002]

Validity of Class 1, 2, 2A, 2B, 3 and 3A driving licences

3A.—(1) A Class 1, 2, 2A, 2B, 3 or 3A driving licence shall cease to be valid and shall be of no effect upon the holder thereof attaining the age of 65, 68, 71, 74, 77, 80, 83, 86, 89, 92, 95, 98 or 101, unless the Deputy Commissioner of Police has, within 2 months before the holder attains any such age, received a copy of the holder’s medical report issued by a registered medical practitioner certifying that he is physically and mentally fit to drive a motor vehicle.

[S 562/2002 wef 16/12/2002]

[S 515/2004 wef 01/09/2004]

(2) The Deputy Commissioner of Police may, within 2 months before the holder attains each of the ages specified in paragraph (1), require the holder, at his own expense, to be certified physically and mentally fit to drive a motor vehicle by a registered medical practitioner of his own choice, or by such registered medical practitioner as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may determine.

Driving licence not to be granted when another driving licence held by applicant suspended or revoked, etc.

4.—(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.

Validity of Class 4, 4A and 5 driving licences

5.—(1) A Class 4, 4A or 5 driving licence shall cease to be valid and shall be of no effect upon the holder thereof attaining the age of 65, 66, 67, 68 or 69, unless —

(a)	the Deputy Commissioner of Police has, within 2 months before the holder attains any such age, received a copy of the holder’s medical report issued by a registered medical practitioner in the service of the Government certifying that he is physically and mentally fit to drive a motor vehicle; and
(b)	where required by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, the holder has passed the Proficiency Driving Test within 3 months of attaining any such age.

(2) The Deputy Commissioner of Police may, within 2 months before the holder attains each of the ages specified in paragraph (1), require the holder, at his own expense, to be certified physically and mentally fit to drive a motor vehicle by such registered medical practitioner in the service of the Government as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may determine.

(3) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(b), the Deputy Commissioner of Police may, in special circumstances, waive all or any of the requirements specified in the Proficiency Driving Test.

[S 562/2002 wef 01/11/2002]

Power of Deputy Commissioner of Police to renew licence which has ceased to be valid

5A. The Deputy Commissioner of Police may renew a driving licence which has ceased to be valid under rule 3A(1) or 5(1) if the holder has, at any time after attaining each of the ages specified in rule 3A(1) or 5(1), as the case may be, submitted a copy of the medical report issued by a registered medical practitioner certifying that he is physically and mentally fit to drive a motor vehicle.

[S 562/2002 wef 01/11/2002]

Proficiency Driving Test for holder of Class 4, 4A and 5 driving licences

6.—(1) 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.

(2) Where the holder of a driving licence referred to in paragraph (1) has failed the Proficiency Driving Test —

(a)	he may apply to the Deputy Commissioner of Police for a retest; and
(b)	until he has passed the retest, his driving licence shall cease to be valid and shall have no effect notwithstanding that he has been certified physically and mentally fit to drive a motor vehicle by a registered medical practitioner in accordance with rule 5(1)(a).

(3) Subject to rule 22(2), the holder of a Class 4, 4A or 5 driving licence that has expired or lapsed 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.

[S 562/2002 wef 16/12/2002]

Vehicle used for Proficiency Driving Test

7. 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

8.—(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 —

(a)	his detention;
(b)	his delivery over to the care and custody of a relative or friend; or
(c)	his temporary absence from that hospital, where he is a patient in a mental hospital.

Prescribed test

8A.—(1) For the purposes of section 37 of the Act, the prescribed test, in relation to an applicant for the grant of a driving licence or a licence holder, shall be the medical examination and the certification, by a medical practitioner at any hospital specified in the Tenth Schedule, that the applicant or licence holder, as the case may be, is fit to drive a motor vehicle.

(2) Where a licence holder is required to undergo the prescribed test under section 37(8) of the Act and he has previously undergone a medical examination by a medical practitioner at a hospital specified in the Tenth Schedule 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 medical practitioner at any hospital specified in that Schedule.

(3) The costs of the prescribed test referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be borne by the applicant or licence holder concerned.

[S 245/2004 wef 30/04/2004]

Nature of test

9.—(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

(d)

that he has passed the Practical Riding Test specified in Part I of the Second Schedule within one year of having passed the Motor Cycle Riding Theory Test referred to in the First Schedule.

(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 Part I of the Second Schedule within 2 years of having passed the Final Driving Theory Test specified in the Fourth Schedule.

(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

10.—(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 the conduct of 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

11.—(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.

12. A person shall not be allowed to apply for or 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;

[S 646/2010 wef 01/11/2010]

(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; or

[S 646/2010 wef 01/11/2010]

(d)

when any police investigation has been commenced against him for an offence under any of the following provisions:

(i)	sections 35(3), 43(4), 62, 65A(1), 66(1), 67(1), 70(4), 79(1), 84(7) (arising from a failure to comply with section 84(3)) and 116(7) of the Act;
(ii)	section 3(2) of the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act (Cap. 189);
(iii)	section 304A of the Penal Code (Cap. 224). [S 646/2010 wef 01/11/2010]

Production of vehicle for test

13. 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 in good mechanical condition.

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