The Traffic Police (TP) will be making changes to the Provisional Driving Licence (PDL) regime, to improve road safety and provide greater convenience to learner motorists.
Extension of Validity Period of PDL
The PDL is currently valid for six months.
From 1 December 2017 onwards, newly issued or renewed PDLs will be valid for two years. The longer validity period will allow learner motorists more time to obtain their driving or riding licences.
Existing road safety measures concerning PDL holders remain in place. For instance, PDL holders are only permitted to drive under the supervision of a licensed driving instructor.
Introduction of Medical Examination for Elderly Learner Motorists
Starting from 1 December 2017, individuals aged 65 years and above will need to pass a medical examination when they apply for or renew their PDLs. As part of the examination, a medical practitioner will review the applicant’s medical history, vision, hearing and mobility. This will ensure that elderly learner motorists have the physical and mental fitness to operate vehicles safely on the roads.
Individuals who have already met the medical examination requirements to hold a Qualified Driving Licence of another vehicle class need not undergo this medical examination.
Introduction of Electronic Transactions for PDLs
From 1 December 2017 onwards, learner motorists will have to submit PDL applications electronically. They will have to make their applications using their SingPass accounts, via http://www.police.gov.sg/e-services or the Police@SG mobile application. With this change, the eyesight test for applicants (which is currently administered by TP) will be conducted by the driving centres, when the applicants enrol for driving lessons.
Replacement of Paper PDLs with Electronic PDLs
With effect from 1 December 2017, paper PDLs will no longer be issued, and it will no longer be necessary for learner motorists to carry around the paper PDLs. The PDLs will be electronic and learner motorists can access the status of their PDL application via http://www.police.gov.sg/e-services or the Police@SG mobile application. Driving instructors or testers can verify the validity of a PDL through a student furnishing the electronic status of their PDL.
Details of Changes
For more information on the PDL-related changes, please visit the Singapore Police Force’s website at http://www.police.gov.sg/.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
30 November 2017 @ 1:00 PM