(Featured photo: Mothership)

Having a driving licence comes with certain responsibilities that you’ll need to keep in mind — and that includes renewing it when the time comes. Luckily, the process is fairly straightforward. In this blog post, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about renewing your driving licence in Singapore.

But first, do you need to renew your driving licence?

If you didn’t know this already, not every driving licence holder is required to renew their licence. This means that if you’re a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident (PR), you’ll not need to renew your licence until you’re 65 years old.

So, how do you do it if you’re 65 or older? Let’s have a look at the process.

Driving licence renewal for senior citizens aged 65 and above

If you wish to continue driving after your 65th birthday, you’ll need to renew your driving licence every three years. This is to ensure that you’re medically fit to continue driving.

We advise you to start the process early before your birthday so that you’ll have enough time to arrange for your medical test. Here’s what you need to do before you can renew your driving licence.

Undergo a medical examination

Simply make an appointment with a Singapore-registered medical practitioner either at a government Polyclinic or a private clinic for a medical examination.

The medical examination for the renewal of driving licence for drivers aged 65 years old and above costs $30.60 at government Polyclinics. Whereas, the cost to see a private practitioner varies from clinic to clinic.

Once your medical examination report is out, you may proceed to submit it to the Traffic Police for licence validation four weeks before your birthday. Another thing to take note of is that your medical examination needs to be done within two months prior to your birthday.

Note: This guide to renewing driving licence for senior citizens is applicable to Class 3, 3A, 3C and 3C(A) holders.

Driving licence renewal for foreigners

If you’re not a Singapore citizen or a Permanent Resident, and would like to continue driving in Singapore, you’ll need to renew your driving licence every five years. In the past, drivers had to go down in person to the Traffic Police department in Ubi to do this, but you’ll now be able to simply apply online. Take note that the steps to apply vary slightly between those who have a Singpass account and those who don’t.

Also, be sure to keep the licence validity period in mind as you’ll need to renew if it’s about to expire in one month or less.

How to replace your driving licence if it’s lost or damaged

In the unfortunate event that you’ve lost or damaged your driving licence, you’ll need to apply for a replacement licence as soon as possible. Don’t ever drive without a licence in Singapore as you’ll be slapped with a $10,000 fine and three years imprisonment. Second-time offenders will land a $20,000 fine and a six-year imprisonment.

Regardless of whether you’re a Singapore citizen, a Permanent Resident or a foreigner, you’ll be able to apply online for a replacement driving licence. There’s no penalty for losing your original licence but you’ll still need to pay $25 for the application — this can be done via your eNETS or credit card while applying on the website.

If you discover your lost licence someday, don’t forget to return it to the drop-box at the Traffic Police Headquarters or send it to the address via registered mail. Those with a damaged licence who have received a replacement will also need to return the original.

Can you renew or replace your driving licence if it was revoked?

Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to renew or replace your licence if it was previously revoked. There’s a waiting period where you won’t be allowed to drive, after which, you’ll need to go through the entire process of getting a driving licence from scratch. This includes taking all the necessary tests like the Basic Theory Test (BTT), the Final Theory Test (FTT) and even the Practical Driving Test (PDT) all over again. 

If you need a quick refresher, hop over to our comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to get a driving licence in Singapore.

There you have it — your guide to renewing your driving licence. We hope that you’ll find this blog post informative and useful if you need to renew your licence or are helping a loved one renew theirs.

Got your licence and excited to head out again? Download GetGo now to book a car within minutes.

To many more pleasant drives!
Luna 🚗