License Conversion

[NCD22]

Hi! i am sure that tons of people have asked this question, but i am going in for my Car license conversion in May and wanted to know if anyone had experience getting the officer to grant a 2B license as well.

 

The police website has this to say: Any person holding a licence to drive a particular class of motor vehicle by the competent authority of a country other than Singapore , may apply for conversion to a Singapore driving licence to drive the equivalent class of motor vehicle. This is provided that the particular class of licence is not granted automatically without the need of test and on the merit of attaining of another licence, example a motorcycle licence granted with class 3 licence without going through a test that is practised in some countries.

 

I do not have an Motorcycle license from my home country, but have been riding dirt bikes my whole life. The reason that I am going in for the license conversion if to ride a scooter which I have already put a downpayment on.

 

Any helpful suggestions on this would be mightily appreciated!

 

Thanks!

[loufu]

unless ur home country license has motorcycle license printed on it.. if not i doubt LTA will issue u a 2B license whereby u only hav class 3 license...

 

 

anyway, its better to dbl check wif them urself.. u can dial

 

1800-CALL-LTA

[NCD22]

I have heard that it is at the discretion of the officer issuing and that there have been cases where a 2B license was granted along with the Class 3 when you explain that the purpose of the license is not for a car, but is for a scooter.

 

Just wanted to see if anyone had heard of this or had it happen for them.

 

Thanks!

[fx110]

i think they just issue class 3 ONLY, if ur home country license just only have car license.

[ricv]

You can pretty much forget about getting a bike licence if you don't have a licence indicating that your are proficient on a motorcycle.

 

You can still enjoy riding off-road in Singapore. See website: -

 

http://main.slackriders.com/Forums.html

 

There are kids riding dirt bikes proficiently round the dirt track but they can't ride on Singapore roads without a licence.

 

I think you may have to consider selling your scooter...

[NCD22]

Well riding dirt bikes sort of defeats the purpose so, that's outta the question...

 

We'll see what happens when I take the theory and go in for the conversion. Have heard its been done by a few mechanics I've spoken with, but figured I'd see if anyone had done it on here, guess not...

 

Anyways, can't be too tough to get a license the flatfoot way. Just sign up for the private courses and crunch thru em...Figure a month or two should do it (there's only 8 riding courses required and they are open weekends)...

 

Cheers! Will update ya'll next month on whether it works out or not...

[ricv]

Well, as they say "Nothing ventured nothing gained"! Worth a shot.

 

For your information, the theory test for cars and motorcycles are different. Although I have a car licence (Class 3), I had to sit for a theory test for motorcycles. There are 4 stages in the theory side of things (you must attend 2 theory lessons before you are allowed to take a trial theory test and finally the actual theory test). You will not be allowed to progress to stage 6 (of 8 stages) for the practical part until you have passed your theory test and obtained a provisonal riding licence.

 

Your problem is not getting through the stages but getting the limited slots which may be difficult to book. You will only be allowed to book the next stage (theory or practical) when you have successfully completed the previous stage. I have seen many wait for a month to progress to Stage 6 because they did not start the theory stage early enough. The final hurdle is the traffic police test and that is usually a month after you passed Stage 8.

 

Getting a bike licence in a month is pretty much impossible. 2 months will be a tall order. Not trying to burst your bubble but so you have your expectations right.

[r2r]

well .. bearing in my that by law even if u have FULL motorcycle licence overseas it is converted to 2B licence here I would be surprised if they gave you it for free

[NCD22]

is the conversion process? Do they make you bring a past driving record or is it just the license, passport and other assorted goodies?

 

If I was to get a Motorcycle license on a coming up trip home (process at home takes about 5hrs MAX, inlcuding wait times, once you have a proper driving license and are over 18...) and it was brand new, would that get converted or would it also be at the officers 'discretion' and he could demerit me back to taking the classes?

 

I just think it is funny, with all the crazy taxi drivers and some of the worst drivers I have ever seen in such a developed country, that the process to get a simple thing like a motorcycle license, something which takes little or no time anywhere else in the world (I went to get a license back home and 30 mins later was driving away after a quick spin around the block in the car to make sure I knew which was the throttle, clutch and brake...) can take MONTHS here...Go figure...

 

Thanks for all the advice. WIll let you know how it goes...

Edited April 23, 2009 by NCD22

[contrarian]

I just think it is funny, with all the crazy taxi drivers and some of the worst drivers I have ever seen in such a developed country, that the process to get a simple thing like a motorcycle license, something which takes little or no time anywhere else in the world (I went to get a license back home and 30 mins later was driving away after a quick spin around the block in the car to make sure I knew which was the throttle, clutch and brake...) can take MONTHS here...Go figure...

 

That's because too many motorcycles get into fatal or serious accidents here and they see no sense in letting people who can't even pass a driving test onto the road alone.

 

Questions on conversion are found here:

http://driving-in-singapore.spf.gov.sg/services/Driving_in_Singapore/Information/drivinglicence/conversion.htm

[NCD22]

I wonder how long it takes to get a car license. A year? I mean, with a car you can kill people and do real damage. At least with a cycle you only kill yourself and maybe one other....

 

Guess the whole process (heard the moto license is like $800!!!!! - they need to make more money somehow and driving training and purposely failing you a few times is a sure bet;)

 

Cheers...

[njh]

NCD22: just curious to ask where is your home country?

[ProFatSir]

well .. bearing in my that by law even if u have FULL motorcycle licence overseas it is converted to 2B licence here I would be surprised if they gave you it for free

 

this is true.saw a few ang mo taking class 2A/2 with me.

 

no motorcycle licence no class 2B.

 

my office admin ger from malaysia got her class 3 and class 2B by taking the conversion theroy test.she hold a motorcar and motorbike licence in malaysia.

 

how can u buy a scooter without a singapore driving licence?

bike shop never ask for anything?

seller never ask for driving licence?

 

no insurance coverage is NO NO in singapore.

 

theres goes your downpayment...

[lutein]

I wonder how long it takes to get a car license. A year? I mean, with a car you can kill people and do real damage. At least with a cycle you only kill yourself and maybe one other....

 

Guess the whole process (heard the moto license is like $800!!!!! - they need to make more money somehow and driving training and purposely failing you a few times is a sure bet;)

 

Cheers...

 

The schools have people queuing up for lessons. They don't have to do cheap tricks like this to make money off you.

 

If you meet the requirements you will pass. If as you said you have experience the school may even allow you to skip lessons. Happened to someone I know.

 

Cost of lessons depends on the number of lessons you need before getting your licence.

[loufu]

is the conversion process? Do they make you bring a past driving record or is it just the license, passport and other assorted goodies?

 

If I was to get a Motorcycle license on a coming up trip home (process at home takes about 5hrs MAX, inlcuding wait times, once you have a proper driving license and are over 18...) and it was brand new, would that get converted or would it also be at the officers 'discretion' and he could demerit me back to taking the classes?

 

I just think it is funny, with all the crazy taxi drivers and some of the worst drivers I have ever seen in such a developed country, that the process to get a simple thing like a motorcycle license, something which takes little or no time anywhere else in the world (I went to get a license back home and 30 mins later was driving away after a quick spin around the block in the car to make sure I knew which was the throttle, clutch and brake...) can take MONTHS here...Go figure...

 

Thanks for all the advice. WIll let you know how it goes...

 

some info for you,

 

are u a spore PR already? if u are already a PR here, u can forget abt goin back ur hometown and get a motorcycle license...

 

any license u get after u are a PR is not applicable for conversion..

[NCD22]

No PR for me. Don't see the point really, just a few extra perks and a non-negotiable deduction from your monthly salary that can only go towards buying a house...

 

Also, who says you can't buy a cycle without a license? Ca$h i$ King... The seller has no responsibility for it after the sale (unless it is a lemon), so why would I lose my downpayment, I can just let it sit at the apartment until everything is sorted... Besides, am getting a re-built 70's vespa, takes a few months to sort one of them out and I should have one of them license thingies then anyways...

 

Found this thread on the site here, seems most get their license in like 3 months, one got it in a month and a half! Pretty slic...

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94859

 

Also, I'm from South America. When I got my drivers license way back when, I just paid a bit extra cash, got it 2 years early (at 14) and signed my name. No drivers test, no HOURS and HOURS of classes that everyone forgets the minute they get on the open road without their instructor breathing down their neck...nothin'. All this 'efficient' bureaucracy is refreshing in a sense, but really annoying at the same time!

Edited April 24, 2009 by NCD22

[chuan.z]

how can u buy a scooter without a singapore driving licence?

bike shop never ask for anything?

seller never ask for driving licence?

 

no insurance coverage is NO NO in singapore.

 

theres goes your downpayment...

 

No need to hold a driving license to own a vehicle. This also implies that if there are no sub-rider, straight away have to arrange for bike to be under lay-up.

[CoolieND]

No PR for me. Don't see the point really, just a few extra perks and a non-negotiable deduction from your monthly salary that can only go towards buying a house...

 

Have you been here less than 12months? If so, it probably isn't an issue at all. Get the license when you go back to your country, and convert it here. Even if you have been here more than 12 months, since you're not a PR, the rules about having to live in the country for XX months doesn't seem to apply.

 

Of course, it might be different once you've converted your driving license. Ask the officer directly, see what he says...

 

Found this thread on the site here, seems most get their license in like 3 months, one got it in a month and a half! Pretty slic...

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94859

 

Since you've got experience on the road, you'd probably have little trouble going through the course. Just have to make sure to follow exactly what instructor says in terms of safety checks and such, and you'll probably fly through the lessons.

 

Only real issue you might have is that you might get stuck on waiting on test dates, making finishing well under 3-months very iffy. I might be an extreme case, but from starting date to my first practical test (I failed once ), it was about 19 weeks, but 14 of those weeks was spent waiting for my test dates: 6 weeks for the theory test before I could take lesson 6, and 8 for the practical test (I could only book after finishing all lessons).

 

Either way, hope you have fun with that vespa!

[NCD22]

Yeah, I think I am resigning myself to have to take the test...But I think you are right, pay attention and do what the instructor says. A friend form the Us once told me about the 10-2 hands positioning they require on the sterring wheel. Think it is the little things like that make the difference in the tests...

 

Hopefully I can get time slots booked well in advance, but seing as how summer break is coming up, might be a bit tough...Need to get crackin!

 

Cheers...

[contrarian]

Also, I'm from South America. When I got my drivers license way back when, I just paid a bit extra cash, got it 2 years early (at 14) and signed my name. No drivers test, no HOURS and HOURS of classes that everyone forgets the minute they get on the open road without their instructor breathing down their neck...nothin'. All this 'efficient' bureaucracy is refreshing in a sense, but really annoying at the same time!

 

This is why they are a lot more careful when they assess conversions for licenses direct to Class 2. They are more likely to accept direct Class 2 conversions for licenses issued by some countries than others.

[taxico]

is the conversion process? Do they make you bring a past driving record or is it just the license, passport and other assorted goodies?

 

i returned to singapore for a few months late last year and converted my foreign class 3 license so i can drive my family around (i had passed my basic and final driving theory test many many years ago).

 

i brought along an official extract of my driving history, as well as my bike/car ownership papers, insurance papers and certificates for defensive and advanced driving/riding courses i've passed... along with my passport, ID card and foreign license itself.

 

the lady at the counter only took the final 3 items and ignored everything else. on paper i didn't apply to convert my bike license as i had not taken my RTT yet (i was under the impression i had to pass my RTT first).

 

when i asked as i was leaving, the lady said there was no requirement for the "P" plate as i've had my foreign license for over 12 months. she also mentioned if it's required, the staff would have stamped the papers saying it's necessary to use them.

 

so... that's my experience in conversion at SSDC in ang mo kio. i hope it helps.

 

can i confirm i need to pass the RTT to convert bike license?

[chuan.z]

BTT is enough to convert license

[chris 525]

I was in the same position as you. I have car licence for 10 years and am entitled to ride a 125cc bike with L-Plates in AngMoh land, but here to ride the motorcycle, you got to take the the riding theory and then class 2B.

 

Do not pass go and do not collect $200.

 

 

 

Hi! i am sure that tons of people have asked this question, but i am going in for my Car license conversion in May and wanted to know if anyone had experience getting the officer to grant a 2B license as well.

 

The police website has this to say: Any person holding a licence to drive a particular class of motor vehicle by the competent authority of a country other than Singapore , may apply for conversion to a Singapore driving licence to drive the equivalent class of motor vehicle. This is provided that the particular class of licence is not granted automatically without the need of test and on the merit of attaining of another licence, example a motorcycle licence granted with class 3 licence without going through a test that is practised in some countries.

 

I do not have an Motorcycle license from my home country, but have been riding dirt bikes my whole life. The reason that I am going in for the license conversion if to ride a scooter which I have already put a downpayment on.

 

Any helpful suggestions on this would be mightily appreciated!

 

Thanks!

[chris 525]

well .. bearing in my that by law even if u have FULL motorcycle licence overseas it is converted to 2B licence here I would be surprised if they gave you it for free

 

If you have a motorcycle licence that entitles you to ride big CC bikes in Ang-Moh land for more than 6-months (not including USA and Canada), big CC meaning with more than 40 bhp, then it will be converted to a class 2 here.

[chris 525]

I forgot, AngMoh land means the EEC countries and Switzerland.