Foreign Driving Licence Conversion in Singapore: Step-by-Step Process

If you plan to drive in Singapore long-term, converting your foreign licence is a legal requirement.

The following article provides a comprehensive overview of the Singapore foreign driver license conversion process, highlighting the key requirements and offering tips on how to get a compliant driving licence photo.

Table of contents

• Driving licence requirements for expats in Singapore: Who needs to convert VS who can drive under a foreign licence
• Who is eligible for a driving licence conversion in Singapore?
• Types of foreign driving licences that can be converted
• Step-by-step conversion procedure
• Documents required for foreign license conversion
• Driving licence photo requirements in Singapore
• Get a photo for your Singaporean driving licence online!
• ID Photo App
• Singaporean driving licence fees for expats
• How long does it take to convert a foreign driving license in Singapore
• FAQ

Driving licence requirements for expats in Singapore: Who needs to convert VS who can drive under a foreign licence

Foreigners living in Singapore can generally drive using their valid overseas driving licence along with an International Driving Permit (IDP) for up to one year, subject to the exceptions below. If their stay extends beyond a year, they're required to switch their foreign licence to a local one. This involves passing the Basic Theory Test (BTT) and following the official steps for a driving license exchange in Singapore.

If the stay is under a year:

• Expats may drive with their current foreign licence.
• An IDP is necessary unless the foreign licence is in English. ASEAN nationals are exempt from needing an IDP.
• Should an IDP not be available, an official English translation of the foreign licence is needed.

What about a Singapore driving license for an S Pass holder? If you hold an S Pass or Work Permit and want to drive for work, you must obtain a Singapore driving licence within six months of the date your work pass was issued. This is not a blanket six-month deadline for all S Pass and Work Permit holders driving privately.

New Singapore citizens and permanent residents may continue driving on a valid foreign licence for up to three months after obtaining their new status. They must convert it if they wish to continue driving after that period.

If staying longer than a year:

• Conversion of a foreign driving license to a Singapore license is a must.
• You'll need to pass the BTT as part of the process.
• Complete the Foreign Licence Pre-assessment first. If eligible, book an appointment at the Traffic Police Headquarters and bring your passport, relevant pass, foreign licence, photo and other required documents.
• Malaysian licence holders also need to provide a driving record extract from JPJ Malaysia.

Who is eligible for a driving licence conversion in Singapore?

To be eligible for converting your foreign license to a Singaporean one, you should meet these criteria:

• Foreign residents with a valid pass, such as an Employment Pass (EP), Student Pass (STP), Dependant's Pass (DP), Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP), Work Permit (WP) or S Pass, generally need to convert if staying for more than a year. The six-month deadline applies to Work Permit and S Pass holders who want to drive for work. Singapore citizens and permanent residents with valid foreign licences can also apply.
• Your foreign driving licence must be valid (non-expired).
• You should pass the BTT in Singapore. If you have passed it earlier, you may not need to retake it.
• Malaysian licence holders need an extract from JPJ (Malaysian Road Transport Department).
• If your foreign licence isn’t in English, an official translation or IDP is required.
• You must meet Singapore’s age and medical fitness criteria.
• New Singapore citizens and permanent residents must convert within three months of obtaining their new status if they wish to continue driving. This is a limit on driving with a foreign licence, not an automatic requirement to retake driving tests after three months.

Types of foreign driving licences that can be converted

Foreign driving licences that can be converted to a Singaporean licence must meet certain conditions. These include:

• The licence should be valid and issued by the official licensing authority in the driver's home country.
• It should correspond to Singapore's driving categories for cars (e.g., Class 3, 3A, 3CA, 3C) or motorcycles (e.g., Class 2, 2A, 2B), which are the common categories eligible for conversion.
• Licences must come from countries with recognised licensing bodies, such as those from ASEAN countries like Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia (though Malaysian licence holders need to provide an official driving record extract from JPJ for the conversion).
• Singapore citizens applying with a foreign licence must provide evidence of at least six months' stay within a 12-month period in the country that issued it. For permanent residents and pass holders, this requirement applies if the foreign licence was obtained after their PR status or first Singapore pass was issued.
• If the licence is not in English, an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official English translation is required, unless the licence is from Brunei, Indonesia, or Malaysia, which are exempt from translation requirements.

Step-by-step conversion procedure

How do I convert my foreign driving license to a Singaporean one? Follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Pass the BTT at one of these authorized driving centres: Bukit Batok Driving Centre, ComfortDelGro Driving Centre, or Singapore Safety Driving Centre. The test covers Singapore’s traffic regulations. If you’ve passed BTT previously, retaking it is unnecessary.
2. After passing the BTT, complete the Foreign Licence Pre-assessment through the Traffic Police conversion service. Do not go directly to the counter to start the application.
3. Allow up to six weeks for the Traffic Police to assess your eligibility, according to Singapore Safety Driving Centre's conversion guidance. Eligible applicants receive a link to book an appointment at the Traffic Police Headquarters, 10 Ubi Avenue 3. Book before attending.
4. Gather all necessary documents in their original and photocopied forms for your appointment.
5. Attend your scheduled appointment at the Traffic Police Headquarters, present your documents, and pay the SGD 50 conversion fee. The counters accept NETS, debit cards, credit cards and SGQR.
6. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive your local driving licence, generally valid for five years.

Note: Unlike temporary pass holders, those undergoing PR driving license conversion in Singapore must surrender their foreign licence upon successful conversion to a Singaporean one.

Documents required for foreign license conversion

Here is a Singapore driving license conversion checklist:

• Your current valid foreign driving licence and a photocopy.
• Your passport and a photocopy.
• Your Singapore pass or NRIC and a photocopy.
• Basic Theory Test (BTT) result slip as evidence of passing the test.
• A printed passport-sized colour photo taken within the last three months, with a white background and a matte or semi-matte finish.
• If you are a Malaysian licence holder, an official driving record from JPJ (Malaysian Road Transport Department) is required.
• For licences not in English, provide an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official English translation, except for licences from Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
• Evidence of residence in the licence-issuing country, where required: relevant passports, employment documents, education certificates or tax records. Singapore citizens must show at least six months' stay within a 12-month period; permanent residents and pass holders must provide this evidence if their foreign licence was obtained after PR status or their first Singapore pass was issued. Traffic Police may request additional supporting documents.

Driving licence photo requirements in Singapore

Here are the Traffic Police photo requirements for licence conversion. Bring a printed photo for production of your photocard driving licence:

• The photo should measure 35 mm wide and 45 mm high.
• The face in the photo should occupy 25 mm to 35 mm from chin to top.
• It must be a clear, colour photo, not black and white or blurry.
• Use a plain white background.
• The photo should show your full face and shoulders, with a straight head position looking directly at the camera.
• Maintain a neutral expression: no smiling, open mouth, or closed eyes.
• It must have been taken within the last three months.
• The printed photo must have a matte or semi-matte finish.
• Head coverings for medical or religious reasons are acceptable, but they shouldn't obscure the face, ears, or forehead.
• Ensure there are no sharp shadows; use even lighting to avoid red-eye effects.

Here is a photo example:

Get a photo for your Singaporean driving licence online!

For an easy and convenient way to get a photo that meets the requirements for your Singapore driving licence, consider using online services like Visafoto.com. This platform has been fine-tuning the process of creating compliant document photos since 2013 and knows how to meet the specific standards for passports, visas, driving licences, and more worldwide.

Getting started is simple: take a clear photo of yourself in natural light and upload it to Visafoto. You don’t need to worry about details like formatting, background, or proper sizing - we’ll handle all that for you!

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

You'll receive a digital version suitable for online applications and a version ready for print. If you're not satisfied with the outcome, we offer a free redo. Plus, if your photo doesn't get accepted, we provide a full refund.

ID Photo App

For those who prefer using a mobile app, the 7ID App by Visafoto.com is a great choice. Available on both iPhones and Android devices, this app lets you create perfect ID, driving licence, passport, and visa photos directly from your phone.

To use 7ID, just upload your photo, select the document type and country, and the app will do the rest, making sure your photo meets all the official criteria, including size, format, background colour, and correct face position.

You'll receive a digital copy and a print template compatible with common paper sizes like 4×6, A4, A5, or B5. If you need help or have questions, our support team is available to assist you.

Singaporean driving licence fees for expats

The foreign driving licence conversion application fee is SGD 50. You can pay at the Traffic Police Headquarters using NETS, a debit card, a credit card or SGQR.

Allow separately for your BTT, any required translation and photo preparation.

How long does it take to convert a foreign driving license in Singapore

Singapore traffic police foreign driving license conversion typically takes between 6 and 10 weeks, from beginning the process to receiving your new licence.

FAQ

Can I drive in Singapore while waiting for my license conversion?

Only while you remain entitled to drive on your valid foreign licence. The general period for foreign residents is up to 12 months, but new Singapore citizens and permanent residents have up to three months after obtaining their new status. Work Permit and S Pass holders who want to drive for work must obtain a Singapore licence within six months of their work pass issue date. A pending conversion application does not extend the applicable period.

What happens if my foreign license is not in English?

If your foreign driving licence is not in English, you'll need to provide an International Driving Permit (IDP) or get an official English translation to drive or convert your licence in Singapore. This translation should be done by the embassy or a certified notary of the issuing country, or by a Singapore-registered translation service. Note that translations are not needed for licences from Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Do I need to give up my foreign driving license?

Yes, when converting your foreign driving licence to a Singapore licence, you typically need to give up your foreign licence. After receiving your local driving licence, you can't use both documents to drive in Singapore.

How long is the Singapore license valid after conversion?

Once your foreign licence is converted, it is generally valid for 3 years, assuming you pass a medical exam by a Singapore-registered doctor. This 3-year validity renews until you turn 65. After that, renewals require a current medical report every three years for continued legal driving in Singapore.

What if I fail the Basic Theory Test (BTT)?

If you don’t pass the BTT in Singapore, you can simply schedule another attempt by paying the necessary fee. There’s no restriction on how many times you can take the BTT. However, passing this test is essential before you can convert your driving licence or progress to further driving tests.

Is there an expiry date for the theory test result?

In Singapore, once you pass the BTT, the result is valid indefinitely unless it is revoked, or you face suspension or disqualification by the Traffic Police. You won't need to retake the BTT after passing. On the other hand, the Final Theory Test (FTT) result is only valid for 2 years from the date passed.

Can tourists or short-term visitors convert a license?

No, licence conversion is specifically for foreigners residing in Singapore on a valid pass, such as an Employment Pass, Student Pass, Dependant's Pass, Work Permit, or for those with Permanent Resident status, intending to stay beyond the short-term driving period, usually up to 12 months.

Last updated: 23 October 2026.