Driving information — Singapore

Reviewed summary

A visitor holding a qualifying and valid domestic driving licence issued by another ASEAN Member State may drive the authorised class of car in Singapore for up to 12 months from the date of the person's last entry into Singapore, subject to the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework and Singapore law.

Legal basis

1985 ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries; Singapore Instrument of Ratification; Singapore Road Traffic Act 1961, particularly sections 2, 35, 38 and 39; Singapore Police Force official driving-licence guidance; and the 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements.

Licence conditions

The foreign driving licence must be valid and must authorise the class or description of car being driven. Provisional licences are excluded from the statutory definition of a foreign driving licence. Under the ASEAN Agreement, temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded from regional recognition. Where the ASEAN licence is not drawn up in English, the certified English translation requirement in Article 3 of the ASEAN Agreement applies. The licence must be produced when required under Singapore law.

Other destination-country information

The driver may operate only the class or description of motor vehicle authorised by the foreign licence. Singapore law classifies motor cars separately from motorcycles and other vehicle classes, so the recognised domestic licence must correspond to the car being driven.

For a holder who falls within section 38(1), the foreign licence may be used for 12 months starting from the date of the person's last entry into Singapore. This ordinary 12-month rule does not apply in the same way to Singapore citizens, permanent residents or work-pass drivers, who are subject to separate provisions.

Official Singapore Police Force guidance states that ASEAN Member State driving-licence holders do not need an International Driving Permit when using a valid ASEAN domestic licence in Singapore. Drivers remain subject to Singapore road-traffic law and vehicle-specific requirements. Rules for Singapore residents, permanent residents, citizens, work-pass drivers and licence conversion are separate from the ordinary visitor rule.

Reviewed summary

A visitor holding a qualifying and valid domestic motorcycle driving licence issued by another ASEAN Member State may ride the authorised class of motorcycle in Singapore for up to 12 months from the date of the person's last entry into Singapore, subject to the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework and Singapore law.

Legal basis

1985 ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries; Singapore Instrument of Ratification; Singapore Road Traffic Act 1961, particularly sections 2, 4, 35, 38, 39, 73 and 74; Singapore Police Force official driving-licence guidance; and the 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements.

Licence conditions

The foreign driving licence must be valid and must authorise the relevant class or description of motorcycle. Provisional licences are excluded from the statutory definition of a foreign driving licence. Under the ASEAN Agreement, temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded from regional recognition. Where the ASEAN licence is not drawn up in English, the certified English translation requirement in Article 3 of the ASEAN Agreement applies. The licence must be produced when required under Singapore law.

Other destination-country information

The rider may operate only the class or description of motorcycle authorised by the foreign licence. Singapore law classifies motorcycles separately from motor cars. On a two-wheeled motorcycle, no more than one person in addition to the driver may be carried, and that pillion rider must sit astride on a proper seat securely fixed behind the driver's seat. The motorcycle driver and any pillion rider must wear securely an approved protective helmet.

For a holder who falls within section 38(1), the foreign licence may be used for 12 months starting from the date of the person's last entry into Singapore. This ordinary 12-month rule does not apply in the same way to Singapore citizens, permanent residents or work-pass drivers, who are subject to separate provisions.

Official Singapore Police Force guidance states that ASEAN Member State driving-licence holders do not need an International Driving Permit when using a valid ASEAN domestic licence in Singapore. Motorcycle riders remain subject to Singapore motorcycle-safety and road-traffic requirements, including pillion and approved-helmet rules. Rules for Singapore residents, permanent residents, citizens, work-pass drivers and licence conversion are separate from the ordinary visitor rule.