LIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Guide on How to Convert Your Foreign Driving License in Singapore – Applicable for Malaysian Driving License

3,139 Comments

*Updated 28 Oct 2022*
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I have recently convert my Malaysia driving license to Singapore driving license during Covid-19 period.For expat or permanent residents who posseses a driving license from your home country like myself here, you can do you conversion based on the following steps below. But do take note that any foreigners who are above 18 years old and hold a valid work/dependant/student pass are allowed to drive in Singapore with a foreign license less than a year. But all Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents must have a valid Singapore driving license to be eligible to drive in Singapore.Some of the readers shared that the Traffic Police only accept the conversion via BTT test if you convert your driving license within 3 months after you obtain Singapore PR now. However, there is possibilities of getting it done if your documents are within the validity periods (check with Traffic Police Department). You can call 6547 0000 to clarify. (Info from one of the readers)
I would suggest you guys can check again before you do any conversion letter as the JPJ letter is only valid for 6 months upon issuance date.

Credit: https://unsplash.com/@whykei

Here are my steps on how to convert my foreign driving license recently:
NOTE: This is only applicable if you got your foreign driving license before you obtained your Singapore Permanent Resident status.

Step 1:
Pass your Singapore Basic Theory Test (BTT)
You need to register at one of the 3 driving centres in Singapore for the basic theory test:
Singapore Safety Driving Centre
Address: 2 Woodlands Industrial Park E4, Singapore 757387
Telephone: 6482 6060

Bukit Batok Driving Centre
Address: 815 Bukit Batok West Ave 5, Singapore 659085
Telephone: 1800 666 8888

ComfortDelGro Driving Centre
Address: 205 Ubi Ave 4, Singapore 408805
Telephone: 6841 8900 / 6848 0617

Due to current Covid-19 situation, you will need to visit the respective website to make an appointment to go down to book for the Basic Theory Test (BTT). Once the appointment is fixed, head down to the driving centre on the scheduled date to book a date for your test. The administrative fee charge is S$5 and the test is S$6.50. They will issue the receipt and included the appointment date on it as well. Keep it well as you need to bring along on the test date.

You can get the Basic Theory Book from Popular Stores retailing at S$6.00 or the Question Book at S$8.00

P/S: The theory test result is lifetime and there is no expiry date. I passed my test in 2015 and I just converted my license in 2020. The driving centers and traffic police system will have it registered in when you provide them with your NRIC to check the status.




Step 2:
Attain the Abstract from Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia (JPJ)Once you passed your theory test, you need to obtain the letter from JPJ.Here is the sample of the letter issued by JPJ and this letter only valid for 6 mths from the date of issue. Thus, make sure you get your conversion done within the period.

For JPJ in Johor Bahru, head down to the office located at Taman Daya and it is said that the letter costs RM10.00 ~S$3.33 and payable at the counter. Please make sure you keep the receipt because it is required during the later stage.




Due to the pandemic and I am unable to go back Malaysia to obtain the letter, I approached a runner to assist me on this. All I need to do is to provide him my scanned copy of Malaysia IC & Driving License and he will settle for me. And during this tough period, it took quite a while for him to obtain the letter and I made arrangement to courier the original copy to Singapore. The fee for the runner to obtain the letter is RM150.00 ~S$50.00 include the courier charges to Singapore. If you can provide him with original copies, the fee will be lower though.

Update 12 January 2021: Due to extended MCO in Malaysia, the process to obtain the JPJ letter will be longer due to the reduced of manpower in JPJ (only 30% working from tomorrow onwards) and restriction matters. Thus, the runner shared that it will take a longer period to obtain the letter now. He would be charging RM200.00 to secure for express lane and avoid missing documents.

Update 11 March 2021:
Update from the runner: CMCO in JPJ starts from 15 March onwards, all the JPJ staff is back to work as normal. Thus, the fee will be RM150.00 for normal conversion letter within 3-5 days time. If you require express (1 day), it will be RM200.00 .

Update 13 July 2021:
Update from the runner: Due to current Malaysia situation, JPJ office is only open for commercial license at this moment. All personal license and tax related will be put on hold until further notice. Perhaps by August will receive new update again.

Update 02 Aug 2021:
Update from the runner: Due to current Malaysia situation, JPJ office is only open for commercial license at this moment. All personal license and tax related will be put on hold until further notice.They only accept online appointment for now. You may want to do your conversion via online but we are not sure if there will be the verified stamp on the letter. If you can wait, the runner is able to do it from 10 August onwards. I will update this space constantly whenever there is new changes.

*Update 11 Aug 2021:*
There is a limit of 5 transaction per appointment per day. Here are his revised charges:
Renew Driving License Only
RM 30 per year
Service Charge RM30
Courier to SG RM35

Renew License & JPJ Letter
License RM30 per year
Service Charge RM30
JPJ Letter RM200 include courier to SG

JPJ Letter
RM200 include courier to SG

*Update 21 Feb 2022:*

Step 3:
Apply for Conversion at Traffic Police Department
Updated on 19 July 2022: Based on the latest news, Malaysia drivers can now convert to Singapore driving licenses online under new Traffic Police trial. Link here.
Once I got the letter or they called it Abstract from JPJ, you need to prepare the following documents before heading to Traffic Police Department located at Ubi Ave 3.

Here are the documents required to bring along for conversion:

  • Original and a photocopy of your passport and NRIC/Entry & Re-Entry Permit/Employment Pass/Dependant Pass/Social Visit Pass/Work Permit

  • Original and a photocopy of your valid Qualified Foreign Driving Licence

  • Processing fee of S$50.00 (Cashcard and NETS payment Only)

  • One matt finish passport-size colour photograph with white background.

  • For Malaysian licence holders, an extract from JPJ Malaysia showing information of your driving record and licence information

And lastly, fill up the Conversion Form (Pink colored) once you arrive at the Traffic Police entrance lobby. And of course, do get a queue number upon entering the building.

Do ensure that you get all your documents ready especially the Entry and Re-entry Permit documents. I made two trips down because missing these 2 documents. The entry permit is important because they need to see if you obtain your driving license before or after you became Singapore Permanent Resident.Once all set, NETS payment of S$50.00 required on the spot for the processing fee. They do not accept cash payment. The officer will then provide the temporary slip for you and you are eligible to drive in Singapore now.

The physical driving license will mailed to your mailing address stated in the form in 10 working days.

For Singapore Citizens and PR, the new Singapore Driving License will be valid for life and there will be no need for any renewal.

TIPS: (a) If you are converting to Singaporean but yet to convert your foreign driving license on time, fret not. You need to prepare the documents as mentioned above and also additional documents including your rennouncation letter from Malaysia Embassy, letter from ICA after u submitted your rennouncation and also the warranty letter stating your nationality.

(b) If you obtain your driving license after you got Singapore Permanent Resident, the conversion procedures will be different.

(c) If you hold on to Singapore driving license, you are unable to renew your Malaysia license but your record will still remain in JPJ system.

(d) If your Malaysia driving license expired more than 3 years, you cannot renew your license anymore. You need to re-take the whole process.

For more detailed updated information on Traffic police and driving license you can check the traffic matters here or call them to find out more.

This is purely based on my driving license conversion journey experience. Any new updates, please check with the respective authorities for better understanding.

For those who are asking if we can still drive in Malaysia after conversion? Read here.

[Update Dec 2020]
I received feedback and enquiries that most people are converting the driving license to prepare for their conversion of Singapore citizenship. You can refer to my post here about the whole process of conversion and things to take note. Hope this helps everyone!

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3,139 thoughts on “Guide on How to Convert Your Foreign Driving License in Singapore – Applicable for Malaysian Driving License”

          9. Hi Hazel really useful information.
            Appreciate it.
            Mind to email me the runner info?
            Just passed the BTT test and now need the letter from JPJ.
            Thanks in advance

          19. Merry Christmas Hazel,

            Fantastic post and blog. Invaluable.

            Could you please share the runner’s contact with me? I need to get JPJ letter too for a MY to SG license conversion.

            Many thanks!

          23. Hi do you mind to share the runner contact with me through pm. I need to get my JPJ letter. Thanks a lot.

          4. Hi Hazel,
            Thank you for sharing such a useful information to us.
            May I have the runner name and contact please? I need to renew my license which expired on last month and I need a jpj letter to convert my license also.

            Again thank you so much

          8. Hello Hazel,
            Thks a zillion for yr advice. Would appreciate if I can have the runner’s contact.
            Thank you. You are a God send.

          2. Hi Hazel,

            Can share the runner contact/email as I need to get the letter as well!
            Thanks so much!

          2. Hi Hazel,

            Useful info! I just have a few questions. Do you think the conversion fee including courier varies with different runners or are they fixed pricing?

            Because I had a runner charging me RM280 for conversion and courier. Plus, also charged RM130 for RM60 2-year renewal.

            Please advise.

          3. Hi Tee

            Different runner charge differently. I think the runner I engaged price is most reasonable as compared with the rest. The renewal fee is so much higher than the uncle i am using. you can refer to my post on the charges.
            Just be sure dont let ppl take advantage on the ridiculous pricing.

        6. Hi May I know if your runner is based in jb or kl ?

          I’m heading back to kl but wouldn’t mind a runner to settle everything for me to get the jpj letter.

          May I have the runner contact pls ?

          Reply

          2. Hi Hazel
            Could you also please sent me the contact of the runner number? Very helpful artical and very good and step by step sharing here.
            Thanks..

          8. Hi Hazel,

            Could you share the contact number of your runner pls. I need to get my JPJ letter as well. Many thanks!

          12. Hi Hazel,
            Kindly share the JPJ runner contact (charges too). I need to convert my Sg licence back to Malaysian licence desperately.
            Your thought pls: just wonder why JPJ want me to cancel my PR as I just want to cancel my Singapore licence. I thought the 2 are/(can be) independent of each other.

            Appreciate your kind reply asap !
            Thanks and Happy CNY !

          2. Hi Hazel,
            Can i have the runners contact as well?
            For the letter is it only provide the runner malaysia IC and license will do?

          4. Hi do you mind to share the runner contact with me through pm. I need to get my JPJ letter. Thanks a lot.

          1. Hi hazel

            May i request for runners contact for helping e get abstract from JPJ . For Driving license conversion
            Thankyou much in advance
            Anil

        2. Hi, hazel
          Is it true that our Malaysian license will be cancelled if we are requesting letter for conversion to foreign license (Singapore) ?
          If it’s true how to produce the original license to Singapore traffic police department?

          Reply

          1. Hi Siva

            Yes. You can only hold one valid driving license. JPJ letter will have a chop verification on it. You need to get the original letter to show it to Spore Traffic Police Department.

            Hope this clarifies

      15. Hi Hazel,

        This is informative. Thanks for your sharing, do you mind to share the contact of runner? Thank you.

        Reply

      20. Hi Hazel,

        Thank you for sharing the insightful post.

        Would you be able to share the contact of the runner please?

        Thanks!

        Reply

      23. Hi Hazel. Thanks for the article. Really helpful. Please can you pass the details of the runner? We tried contacting the same for KL and supposedly they can’t as they need the actual driver there.

        Reply

      47. Hey Hazel! Great post. I have followed the Telegram channel. Can I get the contact to the runner? I am interested in getting my JPJ letter

        Reply

      53. Hi, do they still allow runner to get JPJ letter for Singapore driving license conversion? I was told it is not allowed. Can you share your runner name and phone number to me? thank you.

        Reply

      57. Hi, do you mind to share the runner contact with me too? I need to convert my license and hope you could help. Thank you very much.

        Reply

      58. Hi there Hazel, can I also get the runners contact number? I need to get the cop copy of the JPJ letter. Thank you in advance

        Reply

      59. Hi Hazel really useful information.
        Appreciate it.
        Mind to email me the runner info?
        Just passed the BTT test and now need the letter from JPJ.
        Thanks in advance

        Reply

      62. Hi Hazel

        This is a useful article! I would like to get the contact of the runner too, appreciate if yoh can share with me thanks!

        Reply

      65. Hi Hazel,

        Thanks for your info. Can I have the runner contact ? For renewal of driving license , I need to go down in person for thumbprint purpose right ?

        Thanks

        Reply

        1. Hi Camie

          Emailed you 🙂 He can do the renewal for you and no need to go down in person for thumbprint purpose.

          Reply

      67. Hi hazel do you mind sharing the contact details of the JPJ runner? How long it usually takes to get the letter from them?

        Thanks

        Reply

      74. Hi Hazel,

        Could I also have the runner’s contact if it’s still available / if they’re still accepting this?

        Thanks in advance!

        A

        Reply

    7. Hi Hazel,

      Thank you for sharing the information.

      You did the conversion right after getting the PR or Singapore Citizenship? I heard that the conversion needed to be done within 3 months of getting PR or Citizenship.

      Thank you.

      Reply

      1. Hi Cindy

        I did not convert immediately after getting PR. I wrote that I passed BTT years ago and only did the conversion recently before I convert to citizenship.I got my PR many years ago..
        Ya i saw from the website to be advise but u can clarify with the Traffic Police side.

        Reply

    14. Hi Hazel, can I have the runner details as well ASAP as my daughter need to convert hers by 5th Mar before she heads back to Uni overseas .
      She needs the letter from JPJ and her Msia license expires on July 2021
      Thanks so much

      Reply

    19. Hi Hazel,

      Thanks for the helpful guide which I’m sure has helped countless on us in the similar situation.

      Could you forward me the runner’s contact details please?

      Reply

    30. If i converted my lesen from malaysia lesen to sg via theory. After converted can i drive company (lesen3)

      Reply

      1. Hi Kang Wee

        You need to check you convert which driving class and which driving class your company transport that you are going to drive.

        Reply

    31. Hi hazel

      May i request for runners contact for helping e get abstract from JPJ . For Driving license conversion
      Thankyou much in advance

      Kai Sin

      Reply

    33. Hi Hazel,

      Do you mind sharing the runner’s contact?
      Just wonder if you have any idea that if years later I give up Singapore PR and go back to Malaysia, is the SG driving license still valid?

      Reply

    39. Hi there possible to drop the runners name and his handphone number as well?

      1) Malaysian licence holders, an extract from JPJ Malaysia showing information of your driving record and licence information. ( will this runner settle it everything)

      2)the Entry and Re-entry Permit documents where should we collect it

      Reply

      1. Hi Thenagaran

        Emailed you his contact but then again the office is still closed until further notice. You need to wait until M’sia govt announce that the business is back to normal.

        As for the entry permit, ICA issued when you obtain your PR for the first time. Re-entry permit can get it from your ICA portal.

        Reply

        1. Hi there, where can i retrieve then entry permit? As I do not have a copy with me anymore. Isn’t the PR card behind is stated the when it it issued? Will it be suffice?

          Thank you

          Reply

          1. Hi Sophia

            It was issued first time when you got your PR. ICA only issued one time only.

          2. Hi Hazel/ Sophia,

            I also encountered the same problem whereby I lost my Entry Permit now. Can check what should I do now? Should I make a police report for the lost and to provide the police report slip for the replacement of Entry Permit? Thanks.

    43. Hi Hazel, thanks for sharing these useful information. Can you share the runner’s contact number with me please? And will your Malaysian driving license be confiscated by JPJ? Or unable to renew the Malaysian driving license after the expiry date?

      Reply

    50. Hello Hazel,

      1) Can I have the runner email contact email or number?
      2) As I have been a Singapore PR since 2002, can I still convert?
      3) Once concerted does that we can no longer used our Malaysian driving license?

      Thank you in advance for your advise.

      Best regards,
      CK

      Reply

      1. Hi Chee Kheong

        Emailed you. Yup still can convert as long as you get your driving license before u obtain Singapore PR. Ya you can only hold one valid driving license.

        Hope this helps 🙂

        Reply

    62. Hi ,Could you share the runner contact i need to get JPJ letter, Thank you for your support.

      Best regards
      Premkumar

      Reply

        1. Hi hazel, thanks so much for the detailed info. Could you share the information about the runner?

          I was worried to go thru the process as I got PR for 8 years now and worried it will be rejected. Reading your experience gives me hope

          Reply

    85. Hi Hazel. Thanks for sharing the information and keeping it updated. Do you mind sharing the runner’s contact? I’m looking to convert my MY license. Thanks again!

      Reply

  3. Could you share the runner contact? I need to get JPJ letter too.
    Someone checked for me in KL. Said that I must go to Putrajaya in person to get the letter. JB no need?

    Reply

    1. Hi CS

      Emailed you the contact. Due to Covid-19 period, i think many restriction. I guess you can check with him about your situation.

      Reply

    1. Hi Boey

      Did you get your Malaysia driving license before PR? Then should be alright i guess because I got my driving license before my PR approves. I only converted my driving license recently. My PR approved more than 5 years already

      Reply

  14. Hi Hazel,

    Can i please have the contact number of the runner please ? Is he/she reliable as i am not so comfortable providing my NRIC and Driving License to someone i do not know but no choice due to current pandemic…

    Thanks and this post is very very helpful. Will help share around for sure.

    Reply

  20. Hi,

    Could you share to me the jpj runner? Thanks!
    And you mention if I am converting as a pr it’s different? How different?

    Thanks!

    Reply

  22. Hi Hazel,

    may i have the runner’s contact detail ?
    meanwhile, may i know it is only allowed request letter from JPJ after Basic Theory passed right , or can we request the letter from JPJ before take the basic theory test in singapore ?

    Reply

    1. Hi Redyan

      I emailed you the contact. The JPJ letter only valid for 6 mths. Unless you are 100% sure you will pass your theory test within the period, then it is fine. You can check with the respective party to confirm.

      Reply

  50. Hi Hazel, can you share the runner’s contact with me?
    And which courier did you used to send over the letter from MY to SG? How long did it takes to arrive in SG?

    Thank you so much!

    Reply

  56. Can I have the runner contact too? Stuck in SG now, Urgent need to convert my license before renunciation of citizenship. Thanks first

    Reply

    1. Hi Jeff

      Emailed you… actually you can renounce and convert later but you will need extra information. So I guess you do the conversion before renunciation easier

      Reply

  60. Hi Hazel, did you have to make appointment for the conversion at the Traffic Police Dept at Ubi or could you just walk in? Thnks!

    Reply

  66. Hi Hazel. I got my parents to visit JPJ Selangor to obtain the extract. They provided it but they said I need to be present myself (either in JPJ Selangor or JPJ JB) to do it with the square chop. JPJ Selangor could only give me the round chop, so the JPJ officer said Singapore will reject it. Do you know anything about this?

    Also, could you kindly share with me the runner contact? In case I need to do it again then. What do you mean by it will be cheaper if I provide original copies?

    Thanks so much!

    Reply

  67. Can I have runner detail too. I also wanted to convert my Malaysia license to Singapore International but not sure still doable while I have become PR for 3 years

    Reply

    1. Hi Daniel

      Emailed you the contact. As long as you got your Malaysia driving license before you become PR.. you just need to pass the basic theory test for conversion. Hope this helps.

      Reply

  79. Hi,
    thanks for the in-depth instructions on obtaining the license. By the way, I am also a Malaysia PR, and I’m only able to print the reentry permit from singpass, not the entry permit. Is there anyway for me to regain my entry permit?

    Reply

  85. Hi Hazel! Thanks for the article! It’s very insightful. Could u share with me the runner details too? Also, if my malaysian driving license has already expired, do i need to renew it first before proceed to get the runner to do the JPJ procedure? Thank you!

    Reply

    1. Hi Thaddeus

      Emailed you. Yes you need to renew your Msia driving license before you get the JPJ letter. You can ask your family members to help you renew then you get the runner to secure the JPJ letter for you. Hope this helps.

      Reply

    1. Have you done the renunciation?if not yet, then it’s the same. Otherwise you will require extra documentation to show your conversion

      Reply

  93. That’s good info Hazel. About to convert mine as well.
    Do you know what will happen to Malaysia Driving license?
    Could you still use it in MY and renew it later?

    Reply

    1. Hi Kenny

      Emailed you. If you convert, your last Malaysia valid driving license is based on your current card expiry.. cannot renew anymore

      Reply

  96. Hi Hazel. Please share me the runner contact. Also whats the payment mode? I just need my JPJ letter original mailed to me in SG.

    Reply

    1. Hi Madeline

      You need to book online appointment to driving school before you can go down to book for BTT theory test due to current Covid-19 situation.
      Details of the runner emailed you…

      Reply

      1. Hi Hazel,

        Could you share me the runner contact / details please. I need to get the convert letter from JPJ.

        Reply

  100. Hi Hazel, would be very helpful if you can share the runner’s contact as I will need my driving record from JPJ as well. Thanks in advance!

    Reply

      1. Thanks a lot Hazel, well received and contracted him 🙂

        I just passed my BTT this morning and I realised there’s no physical proof that I passed the test, can I know will traffic police automatic retrieve my BTT record from system or how does that work for you?

        Reply

  104. Hi Hazel,

    Appreciate if you can share the runner’s details as I need to get the abstract letter from JPJ. Thanks in advance!

    Reply

  105. Hi Hazel,

    Can I have the runner details as well? As I just got my PR Approved and need to convert it. Which I took the test before PR approved.

    Reply

  109. Hi Hazel, I should have read your post before my trip to PT HQ today. Went there without my entry permit and re-entry permit, so cannot proceed. -_-

    In any case, did you provide them your original EP and REP? I only have the soft copy and my original copy at hometown, thinking if I should get it courier to SG….

    Reply

    1. Hi Canny

      Yes they need to see the original copy to verify with the photocopy before they proceed. Actually, you can try the customer service and check if they are okay with the photocopy ones before you do down.

      I think the Entry permit they issued after you got PR is in soft copy now. Unless your approved PR was years back in yellow copy which is the original copy. Hope this helps…

      Reply

      1. Hi Hazel,

        Can you please share me the contact details of runner?

        Thank you and look forward to hearing from you .

        Reply