Subsidiary Legislation · 1999 Revised Edition
Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licences) Rules
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reg 1Citation
These Rules may be cited as the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licences) Rules.
Subregulation 1
In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires —[Deleted by S 46/2015 wef 01/02/2015][Deleted by S 46/2015 wef 01/02/2015]
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:
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
where —
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
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.
“ambulance” means a motor vehicle that is specifically equipped for —
the transport on roads of; and
the provision, during such transport, of out-of-hospital clinical care to,sick or injured individuals who require emergency medical treatment;
“approved provider” means a driving school licensed under Part 3 of the Act that is approved by the Deputy Commissioner of Police to conduct a visual acuity and colour vision test;
“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;
“distinguishing mark” means the distinguishing mark referred to in rule 5 of the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules (R 32);
“driving licence” means a licence to drive a motor vehicle granted under Part 2 of the Act;
“electric motor cycle” means a motor cycle that is mechanically propelled by means of an electric traction motor;
“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);
“licensed instructor” means —
a person who is employed as a driving instructor by a driving school licensed under Part 3 of the Act; or
a person who holds an instructor’s licence granted under Part 3 of the Act;
“medical transport vehicle” means a motor vehicle that is equipped to provide non-emergency patient transport services;
“new driver” has the same meaning as in rule 2 of the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules;
“non-emergency patient transport services” means transport services for fee or reward that relate solely to the provision of transport on roads of individuals —
whose medical needs have been assessed as requiring patient transport and not being time-critical or acute; and
who may require basic care and observation or clinical care and monitoring during transport;
“overall height”, in relation to a motor vehicle, means the distance between the surface on which the motor vehicle rests and —
the highest point of the vehicle; or
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;
“period of probation” has the same meaning as in rule 2 of the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules;
“Police Class 2 Intermediate riding course (Advanced)” means an advanced course to train officers of the Singapore Police Force in preparation to qualify for a Police Driving Permit to ride Class 2 vehicles in the course of their duties as officers of the Singapore Police Force, conducted by the Singapore Police Force or by any person engaged by the Singapore Police Force;
“Police Class 2 Intermediate riding test (Basic)” means a test of competence to ride Class 2 vehicles conducted on or after 8th July 1968 by the Singapore Police Force or any person appointed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police and that qualifies officers of the Singapore Police Force to proceed to the Police Class 2 Intermediate riding course (Advanced);
“power rating”, in relation to an electric motor cycle, means the maximum aggregate power output, expressed in kilowatts (kW), of the electric traction motor of the electric motor cycle;
“Proficiency Driving Test” means the test specified in Part 3 of the Second Schedule;
“provisional licence” means a licence granted by the Deputy Commissioner of Police under section 36(3) of the Act;
“Road Assessment” means the test specified in Part 4 of the Second Schedule;
“visual acuity and colour vision test” means a test conducted in a manner specified by the Deputy Commissioner of Police to determine that a person 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; and
distinguish the colours red, amber and green from a distance of 25 metres.
reg 3Application for grant or renewal of licence
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 —
submit to the Deputy Commissioner of Police or authorised officer an application in such form as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may determine; and
furnish such particulars as the Deputy Commissioner of Police or authorised officer may require.
An application for the grant of a driving licence must be accompanied by one photograph of the applicant.
An application for the renewal of a driving licence must, if so required by the Deputy Commissioner of Police or authorised officer, be accompanied by one photograph of the applicant.
The photograph referred to in paragraphs (2) and (2A) shall comply with the specifications set out in the Ninth Schedule.
A person who is 65 years of age or older who applies for the grant or renewal of a licence must —
within 2 months before the application, undergo a medical examination referred to in rule 5A(1) at that person’s own expense; and
submit together with the 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,unless that person has met the requirements referred to in sub‑paragraphs (a) and (b) in respect of a licence of a different class held by him at the time of the application.
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.
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 —
the applicant fails to submit a photograph in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (2A); (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 —
does not comply with the specifications set out in the Ninth Schedule;
is distorted or unclear; or
has been tampered with;
the Deputy Commissioner of Police or authorised officer is not satisfied that the applicant is physically fit to drive that class of vehicle; or
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.
The prescribed fee referred to in section 35(6) and (6A) of the Act is $50 for —
each grant of a driving licence for any class of vehicle; or
a renewal of a driving licence in relation to all classes of vehicles specified or endorsed on the licence.
Despite paragraph (6), no fee is payable —
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
for the grant of a driving licence to a person referred to in section 36(2)(a)(i) of the Act.
A fee of $25 is payable for each grant or renewal of a provisional driving licence for any class of vehicle.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police may waive any fee referred to in this rule.
Subregulation 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 —
submit to the Deputy Commissioner of Police or authorised officer an application in such form as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may determine; and
furnish such particulars as the Deputy Commissioner of Police or authorised officer may require.
Subregulation 2
An application for the grant of a driving licence must be accompanied by one photograph of the applicant.
Subregulation 2A
An application for the renewal of a driving licence must, if so required by the Deputy Commissioner of Police or authorised officer, be accompanied by one photograph of the applicant.
Subregulation 3
The photograph referred to in paragraphs (2) and (2A) shall comply with the specifications set out in the Ninth Schedule.
Subregulation 3A
A person who is 65 years of age or older who applies for the grant or renewal of a licence must —
within 2 months before the application, undergo a medical examination referred to in rule 5A(1) at that person’s own expense; and
submit together with the 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,unless that person has met the requirements referred to in sub‑paragraphs (a) and (b) in respect of a licence of a different class held by him at the time of the application.
Subregulation 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.
Subregulation 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 —
the applicant fails to submit a photograph in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (2A); (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 —
does not comply with the specifications set out in the Ninth Schedule;
is distorted or unclear; or
has been tampered with;
the Deputy Commissioner of Police or authorised officer is not satisfied that the applicant is physically fit to drive that class of vehicle; or
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.
Subregulation 6
The prescribed fee referred to in section 35(6) and (6A) of the Act is $50 for —
each grant of a driving licence for any class of vehicle; or
a renewal of a driving licence in relation to all classes of vehicles specified or endorsed on the licence.
Subregulation 7
Despite paragraph (6), no fee is payable —
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
for the grant of a driving licence to a person referred to in section 36(2)(a)(i) of the Act.
Subregulation 8
A fee of $25 is payable for each grant or renewal of a provisional driving licence for any class of vehicle.
Subregulation 9
The Deputy Commissioner of Police may waive any fee referred to in this rule.
reg 4Driving licence not to be granted or renewed when another driving licence held by applicant suspended or revoked, etc.
A licence of any class must not be granted or renewed if the application for the grant or renewal of the licence is made by a person —
during the period of suspension of a licence, whether of the same or of a different class, held by the person;
during the period for which the person has been disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence, whether of the same or of a different class; or
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 the person.
reg 4AValidity of driving licences for all classes of vehicles other than Class 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 and 5P where holder attains prescribed age
A Class 1, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3C or 3CA 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 —
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
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.
[Deleted by S 340/2025 wef 01/06/2025]
Subregulation 1
A Class 1, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3C or 3CA 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 —
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
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.
Subregulation 2
[Deleted by S 340/2025 wef 01/06/2025]
reg 5Validity of Class 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 and 5P driving licences where holder attains prescribed age
A person who has attained 75 years of age shall not drive a Class 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 or 5P vehicle.
A Class 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 or 5P driving licence ceases to be in force on the date the holder of the driving licence attains 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 or 74 years of age, unless the holder —
within 2 months before attaining any such age, undergoes a medical examination referred to in rule 5A(1) at his own expense;
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
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.
(2AA) [Deleted by S 340/2025 wef 01/06/2025]
For the purpose of paragraph (2)(c), a holder of a Class 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 or 5P driving licence passes the whole or such part (as the case may be) of the Proficiency Driving Test if the holder meets, to the satisfaction of the person conducting the test, the requirements to pass the whole or such part of that test.
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.
Subregulation 1
A person who has attained 75 years of age shall not drive a Class 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 or 5P vehicle.
Subregulation 2
A Class 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 or 5P driving licence ceases to be in force on the date the holder of the driving licence attains 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 or 74 years of age, unless the holder —
within 2 months before attaining any such age, undergoes a medical examination referred to in rule 5A(1) at his own expense;
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
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.
Subregulation 2AA
[Deleted by S 340/2025 wef 01/06/2025]
Subregulation 2A
For the purpose of paragraph (2)(c), a holder of a Class 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 or 5P driving licence passes the whole or such part (as the case may be) of the Proficiency Driving Test if the holder meets, to the satisfaction of the person conducting the test, the requirements to pass the whole or such part of that test.
Subregulation 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.
reg 5ASection 35(10A)(a) medical examination
The prescribed medical examination for the purposes of section 35(10A)(a) of the Act involves an examination of the driving licence holder’s —
past medical history;
vision;
hearing;
movement; and
physical or mental abnormalities which may make the holder physically unfit to drive.
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 —
such registered medical practitioner as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may specify; or
a registered medical practitioner of the holder’s choice if the Deputy Commissioner of Police does not so specify.
[Deleted by S 682/2017 wef 01/12/2017]
Subregulation 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 —
past medical history;
vision;
hearing;
movement; and
physical or mental abnormalities which may make the holder physically unfit to drive.
Subregulation 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 —
such registered medical practitioner as the Deputy Commissioner of Police may specify; or
a registered medical practitioner of the holder’s choice if the Deputy Commissioner of Police does not so specify.
Subregulation 3
[Deleted by S 682/2017 wef 01/12/2017]
reg 6Proficiency Driving Test for holder of or applicant for Class 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 and 5P driving licences
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.
A holder of, or an applicant for, a Class 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 or 5P 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.
For the purpose of this rule and sections 35(10A)(b) and 36(2)(b) of the Act, a holder of or an applicant for a Class 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 or 5P driving licence passes the whole or such part (as the case may be) of the Proficiency Driving Test if the holder or applicant meets, to the satisfaction of the person conducting the test, the requirements to pass the whole or part of that test.
Where the holder or applicant referred to in paragraph (2) has failed the Proficiency Driving Test, the holder or applicant may apply to the Deputy Commissioner of Police for a retest.
Subregulation 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.
Subregulation 2
A holder of, or an applicant for, a Class 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 or 5P 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.
Subregulation 2A
For the purpose of this rule and sections 35(10A)(b) and 36(2)(b) of the Act, a holder of or an applicant for a Class 4, 4P, 4A, 4AP, 5 or 5P driving licence passes the whole or such part (as the case may be) of the Proficiency Driving Test if the holder or applicant meets, to the satisfaction of the person conducting the test, the requirements to pass the whole or part of that test.
Subregulation 3
Where the holder or applicant referred to in paragraph (2) has failed the Proficiency Driving Test, the holder or applicant may apply to the Deputy Commissioner of Police for a retest.
reg 7Vehicle used for Proficiency Driving Test
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.
reg 8Prescribed diseases and disabilities
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 —
he is suffering from mental disorder;
he is suffering from epilepsy;
he is liable to sudden attacks of disabling giddiness or fainting;
he is not able to read at a distance of 25 metres (with the aid of spectacles or contact lenses, 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
he is not able to distinguish the colours red, amber and green from a distance of 25 metres.
For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), “mental disorder” includes idiocy and any mental disorder for which an order has been made under section 10 or 13 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008 for the detention in a psychiatric institution of the person suffering from that mental disorder for treatment.
Subregulation 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 —
he is suffering from mental disorder;
he is suffering from epilepsy;
he is liable to sudden attacks of disabling giddiness or fainting;
he is not able to read at a distance of 25 metres (with the aid of spectacles or contact lenses, 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
he is not able to distinguish the colours red, amber and green from a distance of 25 metres.
Subregulation 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 10 or 13 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008 for the detention in a psychiatric institution of the person suffering from that mental disorder for treatment.