For a huge chunk of Singaporeans, getting your driving licence means one thing: a sweaty morning at Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC), white-knuckling it through the circuit while your instructor tries very hard not to grab the wheel. It's practically a rite of passage for drivers living in the west. So, when news broke that BBDC would be shutting its doors for good by end-2030, the reactions were about what you'd expect.
If you've been putting off getting your licence, or you're already enrolled and wondering what this means for you, this article’s for you.
Why is BBDC closing?
BBDC sits on a 30,000-square-metre plot in Bukit Batok that the government has earmarked for high-rise residential development, just south of the new Brickland MRT opening nearby in 2034, between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Batok stations. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Singapore Police Force (SPF) made it official on 8 October 2025, confirming that BBDC would cease operations by 31 December 2030.
It's not all sad news, though. A replacement Next Generation Driving Centre with technology-enabled driving assessment is already in the works near Yew Tee MRT, and it’s set to open by 2030; ensuring that you’ll always have at least 3 driving schools to choose from.
Should you still enrol at BBDC?
If you live in the Jurong area, absolutely. BBDC is still fully operational and still accepting new students for both car and motorcycle courses
With roughly four and a half years to go before the closure, there's more than enough runway. A typical Class 3A (automatic) course takes between 6 and 12 months to complete, though I’ve had friends brag about finishing it in 3 months by being really kancheong about it.
📍 Address: 815 Bukit Batok West Avenue 5, Singapore 659085
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 8.30am – 7.30pm | Sat and Sun, 8.30am – 1am
📞 Contact: 6565 1233
🌐 Website: info.bbdc.sg
🚆 Nearest MRT: Bukit Gombak (NS3), about a 10-minute walk
The two alternatives: CDC and SSDC
If BBDC doesn't suit you geographically, or if you're not sure if you can get your license by 2030 (no judging here), you’ve got options:
Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC)
SSDC is up north in Woodlands, which makes it the go-to for drivers in the upper half of the island. It has the advantage of a sheltered, multi-storey circuit, which is a real plus when the afternoon thunderstorms roll in. A free shuttle runs from Admiralty MRT station, so getting there isn't as painful as the location might suggest.
📍 Address: 2 Woodlands Industrial Park E4, Singapore 757387
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 9.15am – 7pm | Sat and Sun, 9.15am – 12pm
🌐 Website: ssdcl.com.sg
🚆 Nearest MRT: Admiralty (NS10), free shuttle bus available
ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (CDC)
CDC is the biggest of the three, and its Ubi campus in the east makes it the most central and accessible for a large chunk of the island. It has an outpost system where you can get picked up from a selection of MRT stations, which is handy if you're commuting from different parts of Singapore.
📍 Address: 205 Ubi Avenue 4, Singapore 408805
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 9:30am – 6pm | Sat, 8.30pm – 12:30pm | Closed Sundays
📞 Contact: 6978 8199
🌐 Website: cdc.com.sg
🚆 Nearest MRT: Ubi (DT27), about a 5-minute walk
So, should you feel worried?
Naaaaaaah. For anyone enrolling now, the closure is far enough away that it shouldn't factor into your decision. If you're a western Singapore resident and BBDC is the most convenient option for you, that's still a perfectly good reason to choose it. You'll finish your course long before 2030.
See you on the road,
Amanda 💙
