Step by step guide to get your driving license as a private candidate

If you want to get your driving license as a private candidate but do not how to go about doing it, you are in the right place. I have recently gotten my licenses so, in this article, I will provide you a step-by-step guide to getting your driving license.

Please note that this is meant to be a general guide. I enrolled myself with Bukit Batok Driving Center so things may be different at other driving schools. However, I believe this guide should be able to provide you a general guide for you to start with. If you have more information on other schools, feel free to let me know so I can include it in this article

1) Enrol yourself with a driving center

Before you start your journey as a private candidate, head down to one of the 3 driving centers, and enroll yourself. The driving center will help you create an account with the school so you can book your practice and test. You can choose any of the 3 driving centers in Singapore namely Bukit Batok Driving Centre, ComfortDelGro Driving Centre, and Singapore Safety Driving Centre. I believe all the centers are the same so just choose the one nearer to you. Remember to bring your NRIC.

Over there, tell them you want to register as a private candidate. Once you have registered for an account, you will be required to do an eyesight test (Bring along your glasses, if needed) and photo-taking.

When you are enrolling as a private candidate, the school may try to convince you to enroll in their school instead so do consider properly and not be swayed 

2) Book for Basic Theory Test

Once you have successfully enrolled, book your Basic Theory Test on the school's webpage. You can consider going for the Basic Theory Practice & Evaluation provided by the school but it is optional for private candidates. 

Do book your test date early as the earliest slot is usually one month away. During this period, take the time to study. You can buy the New Highway Code book from popular or just download from the Singapore Police Force website for free. After reading, do spam MCQ practice, days before your test date. Most of the questions are repeated so the more you practice, the easier your test is going to be. There are many free online tests for BTT around the web so just pick any.

On the day of your test, you will be given 50 questions and you are required to score at least 45/50 within 50 minutes.

3) Apply for Provisional Driving Licence

Once you have passed your BTT, head over to the Singapore Police Force website to apply for your PDL. You will need your singpass to log in and pay a one-time application fee of $25. The PDL is valid for 2 years so be sure to get your license by then.

4) Book for Final Theory Test

Likewise, for FTT, book your test slot early. You can buy the New Highway Code book from popular or just download from the Singapore Police Force website for free. After reading, spam MCQ practice, days before your test date. You too can also find free online tests for FTT on the web.

On the day of your test, you will be given 50 questions and you are required to score at least 45/50 within 50 minutes.

5) Find your Private Driving Instructor

While you are taking your FTT, you can concurrently take your practical driving lessons with your private instructor. To find a private instructor, you can either ask your friends or check out pdireviews.com for recommendations. Give your instructor a call to arrange the time you want to learn.

The general price for an hour's lesson is around $38 - $42 depending on the time and type of license. 

6) Start your Driving Simulator

Once you have completed at least 5 lessons with your private instructor (regardless of the hours spent per lesson), you can ask your private instructor to register you for the driving simulator.

Tip: After your instructor register for you, you can immediately book your driving simulator and do at least 1 lesson on the day itself. For my 2nd and 3rd lesson I did it on the same day by booking for the next lesson right after I completed one.

7) Circuit

If you are ready, you can ask your instructor if you can start doing a circuit in the school you enrolled in. He would then help you book a slot so you can practice inside.

8) Practical Test

Once you are confident in passing your driving test, you can start looking for a test slot on the school webpage (Be sure to check with your private instructor first as you will need his car on the test day)

Do book your test early as it can take 1-2 months before you can get a slot. In the meantime, you can do your circuit training and practical driving on the road. Here are 7 tips to pass your driving test

9) Get your license

Congrats if you have reached this stage. Once you have passed your practical test, you will need to apply for your Qualified Driving License from the Traffic Police Website. After paying $50, you will receive your driving license via mail within the next 7 days.

Some useful resources you can use to pass your theory and practical with flying colors.

Theory

• Sgdriving (BTT & FTT Quiz)
• Head over to the TP website for the PDF version of the BTT and FTT book so you do not have to waste money buying it

Practical

• Car Refresher Course Centre (Youtube)