We all know the topic of driving in Singapore can be a bit mind-boggling due to the policies (COE, ERP, road taxes, etc) set by the government, but with regular output of dashcam vids and news about traffic incidents springing up, it’s no surprise that Singapore’s driving culture leaves more to be desired.
The Traffic Police (TP) want to fix all that from the bottom-up. From 2019, trainees will have to undergo additional training using simulators that will allow motorists to practice defensive driving or riding safe in a controlled environment. All three driving schools — SSDC, BBDC and CDC — will commence trials for Class 2A, 2, 3A and 3 learners by the first quarter of next year, according to the TP’s press release.
Good news for those of you who want to take the lessons slow, as provisional driving licences (PDLs) will have their validity extended from six months to two years by the fourth quarter of this year, according to Channel NewsAsia. Physical PDLs will no longer be issued and learners can apply and extend their PDLs online or via the Police@SG mobile app, where driving instructors and testers will be able to verify through an online platform. Those still holding a physical PDL will be able to use them until they expire.
Additionally, the TP Online Learning Portal will provide free digital copies of Basic and Final Theory Driving handbooks in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil, as the sale of physical copies will cease once the portal goes live. Finally, no more forking out precious dollars for a book you’re only gonna use once.
The following services will be available on the Online Learning Portal from next year:
- Online mock-tests for Basic, Final and Riding Theory Tests
- Animated videos on major causes of fatal and injury accidents
- Updates on new traffic policies, rules and signs
