Where to appeal for converting a foreign license?

[xav]

Hi everyone,

 

I read this forum regularly and I find it very useful and interesting. However, I haven't found an answer to my problem yet. I hope you guys can help me.

 

To make my story short: I am foreigner (french), holding a Hong Kong driving license with motorcycle full class. I have been riding here under this license for almost a year, on a 1000cc bike. Now, as I am staying longer for work, I have to convert my license, but they only want to give me the class 2B (

I know this is safer when you're beginning, but I am not a newbie anymore, with already 5 years of riding (including 3 years on 1000cc, and some off-road and race track experience).

 

I went to the 3 driving centers, and I am not satisfied with their same answer ("this is the procedure, blablabla, you can ride anything for one year, but not after"). Plus, they can convert French or UK licenses to SG class 2 without any problem (happened to my friends), but not my Hong Kong license. Believe me, I insisted. How incoherent is all that?

 

I heard there has been some exceptions if we appeal. But WHERE?! So if you guys are not yet sleeping after reading that ;-) and you if have any advice, please let me know. I really need you. Many thanks.

 

Xav.

[xav]

Hi,

 

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to argue about the the class 2B/2A/2 system. I have my own opinion, but there are already so many posts talking about it.

 

All I need is some advice on where and who to contact, at a higher level, to get my license converted. If I can short-circuit the driving centres (where they can't take any decision by themselves), maybe it would work.

 

Does anybody know someone with a higher position? Or is there a specific department at the Traffic Police for that kind of thing? Anything... (I only have 3 more weeks)

 

Thanks.

[Strong Eagle]

I think the big questions are: How old are you and what kind of bike?

 

The fear is that a younger person gets a class 2, rides a big crotch rocket and kills themselves.

 

I know people that got a class 2. All were older (40+) and riding cruisers, not sport bikes. This means having 20 + years of riding experience, and in some cases, specialized experience, like training British MP's in motorcycle usage.

 

If you appeal, it would make good sense to have a complete driving history, preferably accident free, total time on bikes, specialized training certificates, etc.

 

I assume you would have to appeal somewhere into the Singapore Police Force... I don't know where.

[h_LoNg]

This might help

Link

 

Traffic Police Headquarters,

No.10 Ubi Ave 3 Singapore 408865.

Tel: 547 0000 Fax: 547 4900

[xav]

Thanks Strong Eagle for your reply. Great Harley, by the way...

 

I am 30, and with 5 years of riding (13 of driving a car). I don't know if they still consider this as too young or not enough experience. But I'll follow your advice and emphasize the fact that I had no accident before. I'll provide my driving history as well.

 

I'm riding a Honda CBR 1000. Since it's a sport bike (so, not helping my case), do you think I should mention the race track sessions I do on a regular basis?

After all, it does improve A LOT someone's skills. It gives you a better understanding and control of the bike at its limits. I can be very useful in case of emergency (to avoid an accident, for example).

[xav]

@h LoNg, thank you for the link as well.

 

But I knew this already, and I tried going to the driving test centres, It didn't work for me. That's why I'm trying to find another way. Any other idea?

 

I'll try to call the traffic police headquarters again, but I don't trust them. It is partly because of them that I'm in this situation. They told me I could drive a big cc back then, but they didn't mention it would be impossible to convert my license!

[h_LoNg]

Originally posted by xav@Nov 24 2006, 02:39 PM

@h LoNg, thank you for the link as well.

 

But I knew this already, and I tried going to the driving test centres, It didn't work for me. That's why I'm trying to find another way. Any other idea?

 

I'll try to call the traffic police headquarters again, but I don't trust them. It is partly because of them that I'm in this situation. They told me I could drive a big cc back then, but they didn't mention it would be impossible to convert my license!

I guess u have to ask them who can u write in to / speak to to appeal.

[Strong Eagle]

Originally posted by xav@Nov 24 2006, 02:29 PM

Thanks Strong Eagle for your reply. Great Harley, by the way...

 

I am 30, and with 5 years of riding (13 of driving a car). I don't know if they still consider this as too young or not enough experience. But I'll follow your advice and emphasize the fact that I had no accident before. I'll provide my driving history as well.

 

I'm riding a Honda CBR 1000. Since it's a sport bike (so, not helping my case), do you think I should mention the race track sessions I do on a regular basis?

After all, it does improve A LOT someone's skills. It gives you a better understanding and control of the bike at its limits. I can be very useful in case of emergency (to avoid an accident, for example).

Taint no Harley, friend.

 

http://www.herberts.org/wayne/valk/valkmain.htm

 

Obviously, I don't know for sure but I think you will have a real tough time with an appeal... age and years of riding experience will be the factors.

 

OTOH, nothing ventured, nothing gained. The worst off you will be if your appeal fails is right where you are now... and there are lots of very peppy 200 cc machines around... actually more practical for lane splitting in Singapore.

[yanuk]

welcome to the red tapes. You will spend so much time visitng every department that you'll end up taking your class 2A(

 

That's what my foreign friend, coincidentally also french, did.

 

Good luck! Hope you can get around the system and get your class 2 direct! Do keep us updated yah?

 

Welcome to Singapore.

[nhyone]

Go down to Ubi HQ and appeal. Sometimes they'll ask you to write a letter on the spot, so you might as well write it before going down. Then wait a few weeks.

[rhema83]

You do have a very strong point for argument. You already have ridden a CBR1000RR on Singapore roads for over a year, accident free. That alone is proof that you can handle the machine and the traffic. There is no reason why they cannot give you a class 2 license.

 

Go through the proper channel, and move up the hierarchy tree. And don't ever give up. Good luck!

[xav]

Hi everyone!

 

Thanks for your messages and your support. I'm still in the process of trying to get a direct conversion. Not ready to give up! I got in touch with some people from the Traffic Police HQ recently, and I'm waiting for a feedback.

 

I'll keep you posted later on.

Cheers!

[nhyone]

One question on my mind is whether the TP has become stricter with conversion. I remember my friends could convert their Malaysian car license to Singapore's without any fuss. You need the letter from JPJ (Malaysia's TP), but that's all.

 

When I tried it early this year, I was rejected because my student pass had not lapsed for 6 months when I got my license. I appealed and could have been successful if it wasn't for other factors. Anyway, TP was kind enough to give me a letter to push up my test date. Not that I needed it, my driving was rusty.

 

Later, my brother and a friend both failed to convert cos they lost their passport that covered the period when they got their license. No passport means not able to prove they weren't in Singapore. Even if your license is before your first entry date, it seems you need some proof that you were not in Singapore.

[Guest ViciousKitty74]

Cough cough......

 

heh heh heh......

 

I helped a 20 year old british chap converts his licence to a full class 2, when initially he was issued with a class 2b licence...

 

I wrote in to TP and within 2 weeks, he got the new licence...

 

It takes finesse boys.....not just whining & complaining or having to speak to some senior officers.

 

Men......

 

*smug* *smug* *smug*

[rhema83]

I agree with Kitty. Your appeal letter should be professionally written and contain arguments that the TP cannot refute.

[GuiNNeSS]

Bringing this up for some new guys.

[GuiNNeSS]

Date

 

Your name

Your Addy

Your contact details

 

TRAFFIC POLICE HEADQUARTER

10 UBI AVENUE 3 S(408865)

 

Dear Sirs

 

Current Licence name & number & Issue Date

 

I refer to the above.

 

Attached herewith, copies of my US licence, my previous driving records from USA. Pictures of my previous bikes in the USA, the ownership records & copies of my passport indicating the length of stay I was in the USA.

 

Please advise how to amend my Singapore Driving Records to qualify for the higher cc bikes for Singapore.

[project.d]

so wat is the outcome ot the french guy is aready 1/2 year liao still no news

i think no chance liao la have to follow the rule

[prego08220]

Think he has gone to other country already..

[Wildswans]

PM him lah

[mi5trooper]

so how the out come? actually can't u just keep on riding with the international license? sg do accept international license.

[btarroja]

so how the out come? actually can't u just keep on riding with the international license? sg do accept international license.

 

The rule is you can only use international license for less than 1 year. After a year, you need to convert to a local license.