Singapore introduces streamlined medical reporting and increased learner training fees from February 2026, enhancing safety for senior drivers while addressing rising operational costs at driving centres.
These updates to driving licence rules prioritise elderly vocational licence holders and aspiring motorists, reflecting the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) and Traffic Police’s (TP) commitment to road safety amid an ageing population. Changes aim to reduce administrative burdens without compromising rigorous licensing standards that define Singapore’s world-class transport system.
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Background to Singapore’s Driving Licence Reforms
Singapore’s driving licence framework has evolved steadily to balance efficiency, safety, and accessibility, with the February 2026 changes focusing on practical enhancements rather than overhauls.
The Harmonised Medical Examination Report (HMER), launching on 2 February, merges separate requirements from TP and LTA into a single annual notification for drivers aged 65 and above holding vocational licences (VLs).
This responds to feedback from seniors juggling dual paperwork, a common scenario for taxi or bus operators in a nation where one in four residents will be 65-plus by 2030.
Historically, Singapore maintains stringent licence categories—Class 3 for manual cars, 3A for automatics—requiring Basic Theory Test (BTT), Practical Riding Test equivalents, and Provisional Driving Licence (PDL) stages before full issuance.
Fees at centres like Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC), Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC), and ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (CDC) had remained stable since 2024 adjustments, but 2026 hikes from January signal broader cost pressures including instructor salaries and simulator tech.
These licence rules changes ensure sustainability while upholding the 99 percent road fatality drop since independence through disciplined enforcement.
The reforms coincide with digital advancements like the Singpass app’s Digital Driving Licence (DDL), already displaying demerit points and status since 2022. No alterations to core validity periods—PDLs renew every two years, full licences lifelong with renewals—occur, but procedural tweaks benefit frequent renewers like commercial drivers navigating ERP gantries and expressways daily.Key Changes Effective February 2026
Central to the updates, the HMER simplifies medical checks for elderly VL drivers, who previously received two letters yearly—one from TP for driving fitness, another from LTA for vocational aptitude.
From 2 February, a unified form covers vision, hearing, and cognitive assessments, submitted once annually via polyclinics or private clinics. This cuts duplication for over 10,000 seniors, many balancing part-time gigs in a high-cost city-state where median ages rise towards 43.
Learner fees rise concurrently from 1 January across SSDC, BBDC, and CDC, with practical lessons up 10-15 percent—simulator sessions from $27 to $30 per 20 minutes at CDC, heavy vehicle rentals jumping 26 percent at SSDC.
Justifications cite inflation, competitive instructor pay amid shortages, and investments in VR training aids. Motorcycle and heavy vehicle applicants face similar hikes, though retakes remain affordable at fixed test fees, preserving access for national service enlistees or blue-collar workers.
Foreign licence conversions tighten slightly: Work Permit and S Pass holders get restricted Class 3C/3CA initially, needing Proficient Driving Test (PDT) for full Class 3/3A to haul light goods.
New citizens update NRIC details promptly, avoiding three-month grace lapses. These driving licence rules changes from February 2026 reinforce Singapore’s zero-tolerance for unqualified drivers on congested roads like the AYE or PIE.
Impact on Elderly and Vocational Drivers
Senior drivers, vital to Singapore’s gig economy with 15,000 taxi drivers averaging 60 years old, gain most from HMER convenience.
Annual exams, mandatory since age 65 for PDL renewals, now streamline via one letter, reducing clinic queues in heartlands like Jurong or Ang Mo Kio. TP data shows 95 percent pass rates, but failures prompt licence downgrades, ensuring unfit operators exit gracefully amid rising dementia risks.
Vocational Licence renewals, every three to five years, integrate HMER seamlessly, with LTA handling digital submissions via OneMotoring portal.Taxi firms like Grab or Comfort welcome reduced downtime, as drivers avoid dual agency visits. Economically, this supports active ageing policies, letting fit seniors contribute without overburdening CPF withdrawals, while road safety holds firm—elderly crash involvements under 5 percent nationally.
Non-VL seniors over 65 still get single TP notifications, maintaining equity. Overall, these licence changes foster inclusivity, aligning with Smart Nation initiatives where AI-monitored blackspots like Thomson Road benefit from vetted drivers.
Learner and New Driver Experiences
Aspiring motorists face steeper entry costs, with BTT/RTT fees unchanged but circuit lessons climbing—CDC practicals from $88 to $100 per hour-long slot.
Booking woes persist due to 20,000 annual applicants versus 1,200 instructor slots, prompting waits of 6-9 months. Centres counter with mandatory three simulator courses pre-Practical Driving Test, now pricier but enhanced with hazard modules simulating rain-slicked CTE merges.​
PDL holders, valid two years (extended from prior six-month cycles), must log 20 hours supervised driving, logged digitally. Failure rates hover at 70 percent for first attempts, but 2026 emphasises quality over volume, with VR reducing real-road risks during training. New Class 3A automatics suit urban commuters, restricting manuals to preserve skills for enthusiasts.
