Useful Information

Legal Requirement

To drive a vehicle in Singapore, you must possess a valid Singapore driving licence for the class of vehicle that you want to drive.  This requirement applies to all citizens and permanent residents of Singapore and also foreigners who are residing in Singapore for more than twelve (12) months. Foreigners who reside here for less than twelve (12) months must possess a valid foreign licence and International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by an authorised body in their country of origin e.g. the Automobile Association (AA).  If an International Driving Permit is not available, an official translation of your foreign licence in English is required. Driver from ASEAN member countries only need to possess a valid driving licence issued by the relevant driving licence Authority in order to drive in Singapore without IDP.

Renewal of Photocard Driving Licence

Foreigners holding a Singapore driving licence will have to renew their licence at the Traffic Police Department one month before the licence expiry date as indicated on the licence. No reminder letters will be sent out.

Renewal must be done in person at :
Traffic Police Department 10 Ubi Avenue 3 Singapore 408865
Operating hours : 8:30am to 5:30pm (Mondays to Fridays)
8:30am to 1pm (Saturdays)
Closed on Sundays and public holidays.

The following documents and payment are required when renewing your license

• Passport
• Valid work permit/employment pass/ student pass/dependant pass, and/or other documents showing your extended stay in Singapore.
• A matt/semi-matt finish passport-size colour photograph with white background
• A processing fee of $50 (Cash, Cashcard and Nets)

Drivers Improvement Points System (DIPS)

In the form that you submitted during the application for conversion of your foreign licence, you have affirmed that you have been informed that your licence will be revoked if you accumulate more than 12 demerit points within a 12-month period from the date of issue of your Singapore driving licence.  You will have to sit for all the prescribed driving theory and practical tests one year after the revocation in order to regain a new driving licence.

Replacement of Driving Licence

You are required to replace your driving licence if you

• misplaced or lost your driving licence
• Your licence has been defaced or damaged to the extend the information or photo cannot be read
• You have changed from a Foreign to a Singapore ID
• You have changed your name or other personal information written on the photocard driving licence

Please note that any update of residential address need only be done through the Immigration and Customs Authority (ICA).

Replacement of driving licence has to be done personally at the Traffic Police Department, No.10 Ubi Ave 3 Singapore 408865.

When applying for replacement, please bring along your NRIC/ Passport/ Work pass/ Residence pass and a matt/semi-matt finish passport-size colour photograph with white background. A processing fee of S$25 is required.

Note: A Police Report is required for 3rd and subsequent replacement

ENGINES

Service your engine:

A well-tuned engine can improve fuel economy, so change the oil and follow the car manufacturer’s recommendation on servicing.

Use the correct oil:

Always use the recommended grade of motor oil.  Higher quality motor oils can also help the engine  operate more efficiently.

AIR CONDITIONING AND LUGGAGE

Use air conditioning sparingly:

Air conditioning puts added load on the engine and requires fuel to operate, so limit use to particularly hot days.

Avoid carrying excess weight:

You may be surprised, but every extra pound or kilogram matters and affects the fuel efficiency.  Take a look in the boot and back seat and get rid of any excess baggage!
DRIVING STYLE

Drive smoothly:

Aggressive driving can use as much as a third more fuel than smooth driving.

Avoid accelerating or braking too hard and try to keep your steering as even as possible.

[Source – US Department of Energy – www.fueleconomy.gov]

Reduce speed:

The faster you go the more wind resistance you’ll encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will consume just to maintain speed.

Easy on the revs:

When you’re pulling away change gear in good time.  ‘Redlining’ the rev counter burns extra fuel.

Conserve momentum:

Slow down early to let traffic lights change rather than stopping completely.  Leave a sensible distance between yourself and the car ahead to give you ample time to brake evenly.

Avoid excess idling:

Stuck in a jam for longer than 10 seconds?  Switch off your engine and avoid using fuel when you don’t have to.

Plan trips carefully:

Cutting down on the time spent in the car is the easiest way to conserve fuel.  To reduce driving time, combine all your short trips and errands into a single journey.  Plus, if you can travel outside of peak times, you’ll spend less time stuck in traffic and consume less fuel as a result.

GEARS

Use higher gears:

When you drive in a higher gear you’ll use less fuel, so change up whenever you can.

Use cruise control:

Using cruise control on major roads helps you maintain a constant speed and, in many cases, will improve fuel consumption.

TYRES

Keep tyres at the right pressure:

Correctly inflated tyres are safer and last longer.  A tyre that is under inflated can reduce fuel economy.  An under or over inflated tyre is also more susceptible to failing.

*Tips courtesy of our partner SHELL