Singapore Driving License Renewal and Photo

Having a driving license involves certain responsibilities, including renewing it when necessary.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to renew your driving license in Singapore. We’ll cover the steps involved as well as the necessary documents, fees, and photo requirements.

Table of contents

• Driving license validity in Singapore
• Is it possible to renew a Singapore driving license before expiry?
• Online Singapore driving license renewal
• Singapore driving license renewal for foreigners
• Documents required for driving license renewal in Singapore
• Singapore driving license photo requirements
• Get your driving license photo online!
• ID photo app
• Singapore driving license costs

Driving license validity in Singapore

For Singapore citizens and permanent residents, a driving license remains valid until the holder turns 65. After this, it must be renewed every three years.

Foreign nationals can use their own country's driving license in Singapore for up to a year, provided it meets translation or International Driving Permit (IDP) criteria. A Singapore driving license for foreigners is valid for five years.

For your Singapore driving license validity check, visit the validity page on the Singapore Police Force e-Services portal and enter your NRIC or FIN and date of birth.

Is it possible to renew a Singapore driving license before expiry?

It is actually recommended to renew your driving license before it expires.

Foreigners should initiate the renewal process one month before their Singapore driving license expiration date. Keep in mind, there are no reminder notifications, so it's the license holder’s duty to start the renewal in advance. If more than three years have passed since the license expired, renewal will not be permitted.

For those in Singapore, including citizens and permanent residents approaching the age of 65, it's advisable to begin the renewal process at least two months before reaching this milestone. This allows enough time for any required medical exams and formalities.

You can renew your license online through the Traffic Police e-Services portal with SingPass. If you don’t have SingPass, you can use your FIN, date of birth, and card serial number to access the service.

For lost or damaged licenses, you can also apply for a replacement online or visit in person for specific cases.

Online Singapore driving license renewal

The Singapore traffic police driving license renewal process is quite straightforward. Here is how to renew your license online:

1. Log in to the SPF e-Services portal with Singpass or with your FIN, date of birth, and card serial number (for foreigners without a Singpass).
2. Choose the “Driving License Renewal” option and follow the provided instructions.
3. Pay the renewal fee.
4. Your updated license will be delivered to your registered address within approximately 5 working days.

Singapore driving license renewal for foreigners

If you're a foreigner with a valid Singapore driving license, it's crucial to renew it every 5 years. Make sure to start the renewal process a month before it expires, as you won't receive any reminder notices.

Note: The Traffic Police may decline your renewal request if:

• Your Singapore driving license has been expired for more than three years.
• Your work permit, employment pass, student pass, dependent pass, or any other document that verifies your stay in Singapore has less than one month of validity from the renewal application date.

Most foreigners can conveniently renew their Singapore driving license online via the SPF e-Services portal. If you do not have Singpass, for instance, in the case of work permit or student pass holders, you can log in using your FIN, date of birth, and card serial number. If you have Singpass, you can use it for easy access.

For those who need to, renewal is also possible in person at the Traffic Police Department during office hours.

What about a Singapore international driving license renewal? — The Singapore International Driving Permit (IDP — an internationally recognized translation of your local driving licence) is valid for one year from when it's issued and cannot be extended. When it expires, you'll need to get a new IDP by submitting a new application with all the necessary documents through the Automobile Association of Singapore.

Documents required for driving license renewal in Singapore

To renew your Singapore driving license, you will need the following documents:

For foreigners:

• A valid passport.
• Your current driving license.
• A valid Work Permit, Employment Pass, Student Pass, Dependant Pass, or any relevant document indicating your extended stay in Singapore (valid for at least one month from the renewal date).
• A recent passport-sized photograph.

For applicants aged 65 and above:

• A valid passport.
• Your current driving license.
• A medical examination form completed by a Singapore-registered medical practitioner certifying your fitness to drive.
• A recent passport-sized photograph.

Singapore driving license photo requirements

The guidelines for a driving license photo in Singapore are quite similar to those for passport photos. These are the key points you need to know:

• The Singapore driving licence photo size should be 35×45 mm.
• The photo should be taken within the last three or six months.
• The photo format for a driving licence in Singapore must be JPG or JPEG.
• Your entire face must be clearly visible in the photo.
• The face should range from 25 mm to 35 mm in height from the chin to the top.
• Opt for a plain white background with a matte or semi-matte finish.
• The lighting should be even, without harsh shadows or bright spots.
• Maintain a neutral expression, keep your mouth closed, and look directly at the camera.
• Center your head in the photo, ensuring your entire head, hair, and shoulders are visible.
• Avoid using colored contact lenses or anything that might cause red-eye.
• Head coverings are only permitted for religious or cultural reasons and must not obscure the face. They should contrast with the white background.
• Glasses are acceptable, but they should not obscure your face with frames or have reflective or tinted lenses.

Here is a photo example:

Get your driving license photo online!

Looking to get a professional, compliant driving license photo online? Try Visafoto.com! This expert service enjoys a solid 99.7% approval rate. Since 2013, Visafoto has specialized in processing the pictures needed for driving licenses, visas, passports, and other documents worldwide.

To get started, simply snap a photo against a plain white background using your phone or digital camera, and upload it to Visafoto.com. The service will automatically adjust the background, tweak the resolution, correct the colors, and crop as necessary to meet the required dimensions. If you're not happy with your photo, we'll replace it for free. Should your photo fail to be accepted by the authorities, you'll get a full refund.

Here's an example of the photo you could upload:

You'll receive a digital copy for online applications and a print-ready version.

ID photo app

For a hassle-free experience, check out the 7ID app by Visafoto.com. This easy-to-use app streamlines the creation of ID, passport, and visa photos using your smartphone. It's compatible with both iPhone and Android devices, making it accessible for everyone.

With 7ID, you just upload your photo, select the document type and country, and let the app do the rest. It will automatically adjust the size, format, and background while ensuring your face and eyes are perfectly aligned. You'll get both a digital file and a print template ready for standard paper sizes like 10x15 cm, A4, A5, or B5.

For any questions, our technical support team is available around the clock to assist you.

Singapore driving license costs

As of 2025, a Singapore driving license renewal fee is SGD 50 (approx. USD 39). This fee applies to both foreigners and Singaporeans aged 65 and older who need to renew their license. Payment can be made online via eNETS, Visa, MasterCard, or Debit Card.