Singapore— Foreigners may use online services for Singapore driving licence renewal from December 9, the police announced on December 6.
Until now, only citizens and permanent residents have been allowed to renew their Singapore qualified driving licences online. Foreigners may also do so from Monday (December 9).
The Straits Times (ST) reports that foreigners who would like to avail of this new service may do so through the police e-services portal at www.police.gov.sg/e-services.
Foreigners may also apply via the Police @ SG mobile app, which will ask for their SingPass accounts.
Foreigners without SingPass accounts may apply through the Police @ SG mobile app using their foreign identification number and date of birth.
The police also said that over-the-counter applications for Singapore driving licence renewal or replacement will no longer be accepted except for converting a foreign driving licence into a Singapore qualified driving licence.
Anyone wishing to convert a foreign driving licence to a Singapore licence will have to do so in person at the Traffic Police headquarters since the authorities still need to verify the validity of the foreign driving licence and other relevant documents.
If a foreigner’s online application for a qualified driving licence is successful, he or she will receive the new or replacement licence within seven working days by post.
Foreigners wishing to apply online for Singapore driving licence renewal but lacking access to the internet may process their applications at self-service terminals at the Traffic Police headquarters from Monday, December 9.
To assist those who wish to do so, there will be personnel on hand.
The police.gov.sg webpage for this e-service reads:
“Foreigners holding valid work passes issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or Student/Long-Term Visit passes issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) who had passed their practical test at any of the 3 Traffic Police Test Centres are also required to apply for their QDL online using their own SingPass account this e-Service.
For foreigners who had passed the practical test but are not eligible to apply for SingPass (e.g. work permit holders and student pass holders), you are required to apply for QDL online via this e-Service using your FIN number and Date of Birth for log in.
Please note that if you do not apply and make successful payment for your QDL online, you will not be allowed to drive or ride. Do note that driving or riding without a valid driving licence is a serious offence and offenders will be prosecuted in Court.”
For foreigners who have a valid work pass but who have lost their driving licenses, the following rules apply:
“For foreigners with valid work pass who had lost their existing valid photo card driving licence or their existing valid photo card driving licence is already defaced, you are required to apply for a replacement of your driving licence in person at Traffic Police located at 10 Ubi Avenue 3 Singapore 408865.
“You are required to bring your latest passport size photograph, existing photo card driving licence and valid work pass issued by the MOM or Student/Long-Term Visit passes issued by ICA. Payment of S$25 using NETS or credit card for application of replacement of QDL will need to be made over the counter in Traffic Police.”
More information can be found here. -/TISG