Singapore TDVL/PDVL Driver Guide
Detailed Guide to Get A Taxi or Private Hire Licence in Singapore
LTA One Motoring Guide (Check if you meet the requirements): https://onemotoring.lta.gov.sg/content/onemotoring/home/driving/vocational_licence/vocational_licence_application.html
1. Apply for licence on GoBusiness Licencing Portal
Submit your application through GoBusiness Licencing portal. You will need to upload these documents and pay a non-refundable application fee of $40 via credit card, debit card or PayPal:
- NRIC
- Passport-sized photo
- GCE “O”/“N” Level certificate showing pass in English (at least D7 grade)
Detailed Guide to Applying for VL Licence on GoBusiness:
It may be recommended to apply for the TDVL over the PDVL as the TDVL licence allows you to drive both taxi and private hire, but PDVL is strictly only for private hire. However, the TDVL licence is slightly more expensive and is a more stringent course and test.
2. Receive LTA in-principle approval letter
You will receive an approval email from LTA within 15 working days, if all the documents are in order.
3. Print VL Medical Form
Download the Vocational Licence Medical Form to your phone and go to a local printing shop and print a hardcopy for ~$1.
3. Undergo a medical check-up and chest x-ray
Bring the hardcopy VL Medical Form and walk-in to any Singapore-registered clinic or hospital, or SATA Diagnostic Centres for the medical check-up and chest x-ray examination.
All SATA Commhealth Clinic Locations: https://www.google.com/maps/search/sata+commhealth/@1.3485032,103.8639775,13z
I myself selected the SATA clinic (Woodlands), the wait was about 30 minutes and actual checkup another 30 minutes, which includes chest x-ray, eye test, and non-invasive general checkup. Total cost is $65.20.
You will be given a receipt and told when you can return to collect your medical report.
4. Collect your medical report
Return to the clinic and collect your medical report in an envelope.
5. Register for the VL training course
Register for the training course and test with either:
ComfortDelGro Taxi
- Citycab Building, 600 Sin Ming Avenue, Level 1, S575733
- Contact: 6550 8681
- https://www.cdgtaxi.com.sg/vocational-licence-courses/
- PDVL Total fee $160.75 (Eligible to use SkillsFuture Credit up to $133.75)
- TDVL Total fee $294.25 (Eligible to use SkillsFuture Credit up to $240.75)
NTUC LearningHub
- NTUC Trade Union House, 73 Bras Basah Road, #02–01
- Contact: 6336 5482
- https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/
I strongly recommend registering as soon as you complete your medical check-up or collect the medical report as wait times can be a couple weeks.
Detailed Guide to Submit a VL Skillsfuture Claim (Comfort):
https://www.cdgtaxi.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/How-to-submit-a-SFC-11-May-2022-1.pdf
6. Attend VL Course
Go down to the training centre with the following documents:
- LTA approval letter (softcopy email) to attend the Vocational Licence course
- Medical report (hardcopy) certified by doctor to be medically fit
- NRIC and Class 3/3A Driving Licence
The Comfort PDVL course is a whole day theory affair, from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, with lunch and rest breaks.
7. Attend VL Test
About 6 days later from the VL Course date, you will attend the VL theory test. The following documents are required:
- NRIC and Class 3/3A Driving Licence
- Comfort Test Confirmation Email (Softcopy/Hardcopy)
The Comfort PDVL test is held at Singapore Polytechnic, from 2 to 4:50 PM. There are 3 tests in total:
- Paper B — Module 3 (DIPS & VLPS)— 45 min — Pass req: 34/40 (Hardest)
- Paper C — Module 5 (Navigation) — 30 min — 12/15
- Paper A — Module 1&2 — 30 min — 17/20
8. Pass Test & Receive Temporary VL
After passing all your tests, you can go to a nearby block in SP to receive your Temporary Vocational Licence on the same day . You will receive your photocard licence within 20 working days via registered mail. After receiving your photocard licence, your temporary Vocational Licence will become invalid. If you do not receive your photocard by then, contact LTA via their online contact form.
If you fail any test, you will have to retake the test again on the Thursday after. Retests cost $15 each (before GST) and can be booked here:
To increase your passing chances, you can rebook two retests (back to back). You will also need to bring the following for the retest session:
- NRIC and Class 3/3A Driving Licence
- All previous passed test certificates
Minimum PDVL Cost: $40 + $1 + $65.20 + ($160.75-$133.75) = $133.20
9. PDVL: Lease or buy a car
There are many car leasing options from Comfort, Grab Rentals, GoJek, and more, each with their different pros and cons.
You are recommended to get the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). Hybrid cars are also much more fuel efficient.
For your own car, you will need to go to any Inspection Center to attach the PDVL decal sticker.
