Definitive Guide to Class 3 Driving License in Singapore

Information about the Class 3 driving license and how you can get one yourself

Hey you. You’re ready and waiting to get started to begin your journey to collect your class 3 driving licence, aren’t you? But you’ve just got some questions regarding the process that you’d like to clarify before you embark on the average Singaporean’s coming of age practice. Don’t worry. Everyone who has a class 3 license today has been in your position before, and we’ll help you get from here to there as quickly, affordably and as efficiently as possible.

Ready? Let’s get started then.

Required conditions and documents for registration.

When you’re even thinking of getting yourself a driver’s licence of any kind, especially for class 3, you need to check if you’re physically able to get that licence. The enrolment requirements are that you’re to be; of 18 years of age and above, physically and mentally fit, not suffer from severe colour-blindness, be able to read distances at 25 meters and must not have any history of imprisonment. On top of this, you’ll also need to not have a qualified Driving Licence/Provisional Driving Licence that is subject to any form of revocation, disqualification or suspension.

Got all that? Fantastic. Let’s move on to what you need to bring for registration.

You need to bring a form of identification like your NRIC or passport or a valid FIN card if you’re a non-Singaporean. Additionally, do bring along any form of relevant qualified, provisional driving licences or theory test certificates if needed.

Theory lessons and initial stages.

As with most forms of learning skills, you’ve got to start from the basics.

And for driving in particular, that means a large set number of theory lessons if you’re registered as a school candidate or a bunch of self-study time if you’re a private candidate.

The number of lessons that you’re required to attend in schools before you’re allowed to take the test is averaged at around 15, each being about an hour and a half long. For private candidates, it’s completely up to you to decide whether or not you’re ready for the test. After you’ve prepared sufficiently, you’re able to book your basic theory test(BTT) from the school counters or online for certain centres. Take the test, pass and you’re able to pick a path to proceed with, each having their own boons and banes.

Advanced theory or immediate PDL?

This is the decision we were mentioning in the earlier paragraph. When you’ve passed your BTT, you’re able to choose whether or not you’re going to continue along with learning theory or immediately go to apply for the Provisional Driving Licence(PDL) right off the bat. This only applies to school candidates, as private candidates are able to pick and choose how they wish to proceed with their own private driving instructors, giving them an edge in terms of learning flexibility.

If you decide to continue learning theory and go for the advanced theory test, you’ll be able to immediately proceed to stage two of practical driving classes and save time and money on classes for stage 1 practical lessons (provided you pass) as well as allowing you to book the final practical test early. Alternatively, if you decide to go for the PDL immediately, you’ll have more hands-on experience and time working with a real vehicle as compared to the other students who’ve decided to go for the advanced theory test. Each path has its own pros and cons, but its ultimately up to you to pick and choose which method you think will best suit you.

Assuming you’ve followed everything through perfectly, you’ll now be at stage 2 of practical driving lessons. Give yourself a pat on the back, you’re halfway there.

Starting your practical lessons

Before school candidates move on to stage 3, you’ll have the option to pick up the risk forecast training module which must be attended before you’re allowed to proceed to stage 4 and 5. So do bear that in mind. Similar to stage 1 and 2 as mentioned above, the following does not apply to the private candidates due to their own personal arrangements with their driving instructors. Private candidates can coordinate with their instructors to decide whether or not they’re ready for the final theory test.

Once you’re at stage 3, you’ll be able to use a real vehicle and practice in the circuits. For school candidates, a rough maybe 20 practical lessons are required before you’re allowed to take the final driving test. Another pre-requisite for the driving test being that you’ll also need to complete stage 4 and 5 which is the Defensive Driving & Evaluation module before you can book the final driving test (unless you went for the advanced theory test as mentioned prior)

For class 3 learner drivers, you’ll also need to attend some classes in school with regards to driving and understanding how to use Automatic transmission cars. This is mandatory as it’s a strong selling point of the class 3 license, being that it allows the driver to be able to drive cars with both manual and automatic transmission. So be prepared to spend a little bit more time when it comes to practical lessons on the circuit. Once you’re done with that, you can proceed to stages 4 and 5 and learn about defensive driving. Follow the course in the driving centre fully and you shouldn’t have too much of an issue.

Considering that you’ve followed through completely and passed all the tests so far, you should be almost at the finish line; the dreaded final practical test.

Final Test and Tips to Ace it.

The final driving test is quite literally the make it or break it point for both private and school candidates alike. During the final test, you’ll be assessed based off your proficiency when it comes to handling a real vehicle in real life scenarios, like giving and taking relevant right of way and proper lane changing etiquette, naming just a few of the criteria.

The baseline being that you cannot exceed 20 demerit points when you’re executing the course. Each error you commit during your final driving test will add demerit points to your score sheet. With some errors being far more serious and therefore heavier in demerit point weightage as compared to other more minor mistakes. But be warned, extremely serious mishaps like kerbing the car or collisions will result in immediate failures, so avoid committing these errors at all cost. If you need to sacrifice a few points, do so on those less serious errors in order to maximise your chances of keeping your demerit scores below 20.

Put everything you’ve learned from either school or your personal instructors to good use and most of all, stay calm and composed. We know that you’re driving a large, heavy metal box that’s capable of doing serious damage if handled poorly. Just keep your composure and do your very best, anxiety is the most threating problem to obtaining your driving licence. Control your emotions and think rationally and always, always be aware of your surroundings. Follow these general tips by heart and passing your final driving test should be as easy as riding a bike.

And there you have it! The whole process of getting a class 3 license in Singapore summarised from start to finish. For the rates charged by the various driving schools, drop by their website and check it out. They have tables and price breakdowns for the class 3a course that are really easy to understand!