Conversion of Foreign License into Class 2

[Gooders182]

Hi All,

Hoping someone may be able to help me here as haven't had much success with the Traffic Police. Number is always busy and email has been ignored after one or two replies. Basically I have an unrestricted foreign license and just moved to Singapore in Sep 2021. I've read that to convert directly to a Class 2 license, amongst other things, I will need to have a year's worth of international riding experience on a big bike as well as a year's worth of owning a big bag internationally. I've also seen that I can use my international license for 12 months and must then convert. My question then is, can I use this 12 months to satisfy the international big bike ownership and experience criteria. I haven't been able to get a straight answer from anywhere and seems very grey (basically which agent serves you that day to convert). The second issue is I've been here since Sep 2021 and haven't got a bike yet due to not being able to answer this question. Don't want to spend a fortune on a sweet bike if come Sep 2022 I can only get a 2b license. Now, as the area seems to be very grey, do people think that if i buy a  big bike now in Feb 2022 and owning it until my 12 months international license is up (in Sep 22), will the 7 months of owning it be acceptable to convert? Is it worth taking the risk to buy a big bike now?

Any light anyone can shed on this would be greatly received! banging my head against a brick wall at the moment.

thanks!

Ben

[coldbrew]

Hello ben! replying in hopes to bump the topic for other more experienced riders to see. I only have a 2b license, so just take my answer with a pinch of salt. 

Knowing how strict things can be here, i don’t think the 7 months will be acceptable nor is it worth the risk. I am also unsure how you can purchase a bike in this situation.. 

hope other riders can help!

[Gooders182]

thanks i appreciate it! yeah its a bit of a dilemma really as i can't see myself going back to a 200cc and then going through the pain of 2A and 2. But also don't want to be stuck with a big bike after 7 months that i can't ride.

I've read a post from about 5 years ago that talks about the TP are mainly interested in seeing that you can prove that you were trained and tested on a big bike (which i have all the docs for!). Was then hoping the 7 months here would just sweeten that. Hopefully others have gone through the process recently!

Are you currently having lessons for 2A or are you stuck in the 1 year wait nether zone?

Ben

[coldbrew]

Yeah I couldn’t imagine going back to <200cc from a big bike and then having to painstakingly wait to take 2a and 2. Hopefully the TP recognises your documents and everything goes smoothly
 

still in the 1 year wait nether zone I’m afraid the fluorescent triangle stickers aren’t going anywhere anytime soon!

[Gooders182]

haha you will get there! best of luck!

[Rocket919]

Hi Gooders182, 

I am in a similar position and wondering what happened with you eventually. After showing the paperwork, did you manage to get class 2 directly? Any tips you could share? Really appreciate it. 

Regards,

G

Edited March 9, 2023 by Rocket919

[adesmond2]

based on my understanding.. if you are going to convert your license.. it's usually 2B only.. CL2 direct conversion I never heard of..  You can check with the driving centres directly..

CDC/SSDC/BBDC

[westcoastbestcoast]

Last I checked, you can get direct to class 2 foreign conversion if you can prove that you've owned and insured a class 2 bike abroad for at least one year. (I have a friend who did this.) I seriously contemplated buying one a cheap bike abroad, insuring it, storing it in a friend's garage, and then doing the conversion here, rather than going through the 2B/2A/2 bullshit at BBDC/SSDC/CDC.

I'd also recommend to all young Singaporeans planning ahead: if you ever do a gap year abroad, for God's sake, get your license and a Class 2 bike there.

[adesmond2]

23 minutes ago, westcoastbestcoast said:

Last I checked, you can get direct to class 2 foreign conversion if you can prove that you've owned and insured a class 2 bike abroad for at least one year. (I have a friend who did this.) I seriously contemplated buying one a cheap bike abroad, insuring it, storing it in a friend's garage, and then doing the conversion here, rather than going through the 2B/2A/2 bullshit at BBDC/SSDC/CDC.

I'd also recommend to all young Singaporeans planning ahead: if you ever do a gap year abroad, for God's sake, get your license and a Class 2 bike there.

Checked.. got one website..

https://www.singaporeexpats.com/resources-in-singapore/articles/convert-motor-licence.htm
 

but.. I saw a few foreigner (ang mo) in the 2A and 2.. and they looked super confident.. of cuz.. pass one first time every lesson..

So.. I believed very subjective 

 

[Siphon]

Prerequisites for converting your non-Singapore licence

If you are holding a motorcycle licence
You can convert a non-Singapore motorcycle licence into a Class 2B licence (for motorcycles that are 200 cc or less) once you pass the Traffic Police's Basic Theory Test (BTT).

If you wish to ride a larger motorcycle of Class 2A (engine capacity of 201 cc to 400 cc) and Class 2 (engine capacity of 401 cc and above), you need the following:

1. Documentary proof of training and testing with a larger motorcycle;
2. Documentary proof of ownership of a larger motorcycle; and
3. At least 1 year's of overseas riding experience on the road.

 

Reference : 

https://www.tptest.sg/tips/how-to-convert-a-foreign-driving-licence#:~:text=To convert your foreign licence,are not admissible for consideration.&text=You must apply for conversion,(stated above) in person.

 

Its hard to go back to a <200 if you're used to the power of the higher CC. But do consider getting the 2A as the interim in case the conversion falls through. Quite a few decent <400 biikes. And 2A will prob take a about 2 months today if the test date isn't too long a wait