LIFESTYLE & EVENTS

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

480 Comments

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 musth have a valid Singapore driving license to be eligible to drive in Singapore.

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 20 January 2021:

Step 3:
Apply for Conversion at Traffic Police Department
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.

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.

[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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480 thoughts on “Guide on How to Convert Your Foreign Driving License in Singapore – Applicable for Malaysian Driving License”

    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

  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

  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

  118. Hello Hazel,

    Would you also mind sending the runner contact please? Thanks for this information very concise, up to date and a true life saver when we can’t travel! 😉

    Reply

  124. Hi Hazel, would like to check with you what do you mean by –
    “If you obtain your driving license after you got Singapore Permanent Resident, the conversion procedures will be different.” – obtaining Msia or SG driving license? THANKS!

    Reply

    1. Hi Michelle
      you might need to go through the usual process of acquiring a driving license in Singapore than converting a foreign one if you got your license after getting PR. I saw it somewhere before so I think it is better for you to call Traffic Police dept to double check.
      Do share if you have further information. I can update the post to share with the rest.
      Thanks

      Reply

  126. Hey Hazel,

    Thank you for your guide on the conversion of our Malaysia license to Singapore car license.

    I have just passed my btt on July and presently stuck with the next step which is to get the JPJ letter. As my malaysia car license is expiring on next Jan. I’m worried if I still can do the conversion in time.

    Appreciate if you can provide me the detail of the runner.

    Thank you so much.

    Best regards,
    Sing

    Reply

  132. Hi Hazel,

    Thanks for sharing the procedures for converting Malaysian driving license to Singapore.

    Would like to check with you for the e-appointment with driving centres, we shall choose ‘other services’ and head down to the counter and book for BTT test right? I.e: no need to choose the ‘foreign license conversion’ and enrol the full course.

    https://info.bbdc.sg/visitor-appointment/#

    Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hi Lee

      I did it years ago before Covid-19 but my sister recently did it. She opt for others and book for the appointment. There is a remark column when you book it and you can write that you are applying for BTT test for conversion.

      Hope this helps…

      Reply

  133. Hi,
    Can i have the runner contact number?

    Btw, once convert the licence, does the Malaysia Licence is still valid to use in Malaysia or need to use the convert licence in Malaysia?

    Pls enlighten me on this..
    Thank you in advance..

    Reply

    1. Hi Kvaline

      Emailed you 🙂

      The Malaysia driving license will valid based on your current one. So if expired already, cannot renew anymore. That’s what i understand.
      Hope this helps

      Reply

  134. Hi Hazel! I’m hazel too haha. Any idea what can be done if I lost my entry permit? Re entry permit can be printed from ICA website but entry permit nowhere to be found…

    Reply

  135. Hi, Hazel. Sorry to be the fiftieth person asking this – would you mind sharing the contact details for the JPJ runner? (i hope you are asking them for referral fees!)

    Reply

  136. Hi Hazel. Glad tht I came across your posting. Really helpful. Also, may I know if we need to surrender Malaysian driving license to obtain the SG’s one?

    Reply

    1. Hi Mira

      The Malaysia Driving license still valid until the date of expiry stated on the card when you do the conversion. But I dont think you can renew after that…

      Reply

  141. Hi Hazel,

    I want to convert my driving license first before i apply for citizenship. Due to covid-19, hard to go back Msia to get driving record. As u mentioned, BTT is lifetime once we passed the test. So is that mean i can take the test first, anytime i can do conversion later once i can go back Msia to get the driving record from jpj. Btw, can you share with me the runner contact no as well. thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Caroline

      Emailed you the details and my point of view. Since you are going to convert citizenship, I suggest you just get it done soon to avoid any future issues..

      Reply

  144. Hi Hazel,

    Do we need to do e-appointment for visit at Traffic Police.

    Btw, appreciated if you could share the runner’s contact number.

    Reply

  150. Hi could you let me know what is required to ask another person to help us get the JPJ letter? was planning to get one of my family member to be the runner. Do we need to prepare an authorisation letter ?

    Reply

    1. Hi Ann

      There is no authorisation letter needed when I asked the runner to get the JPJ letter. He is the authorised runner to handle Govt related stuffs..
      if you are asking your family member, u Guess authorisation letter is required then.. you need to call them and double confirm to prevent waste trip

      Reply

  151. Hello!

    Thank you for your post in this and it is really helpful.
    Just want to ask if the runner mentioned JPJ ask for authorisation letter?
    If not, can share your runner’s contact?

    FYI: I asked my parents to help me to get it in KL with a runner and JPJ mentioned only owner/next of kin only can request for it.
    So my parents ask me to prepare an authorisation letter.

    I am converting my license as a 4 years of PR, will share with you my experience after I successfully convert it if there is any different procedure 🙂

    Thanks a lot!

    Reply

    1. Hi Michelle

      The runner who helped me to get the JPJ letter doesn’t required my authorisation letter. He is from the authorised company that deals with government related matters. Emailed you the contact and hopefully can help you 🙂

      Reply

  162. Hi Hazel,

    Would like to know if converted to Singapore driving license, could we still able to drive in Malaysia using Malaysia driving license ?
    Malaysia driving license need to renew, but for Singapore PR no need to do the renewal…

    Reply

    1. Hi Chan

      Once convert, we are only allowed to have 1 valid driving license.. so only can drive spore car by law.
      So once the malaysia driving license expired after you convert, I don’t think we can renew anymore. That’s what I understand

      Reply

  163. Hi Hazel,

    I am malaysian PR would like to convert to singapore license as well. Is it a must to make appointment online to go down to centre to book for the BTT test date? Or can online book for BTT test date?
    The BTT test date availability is different across 3 driving centre?

    May have the JPJ runner contact detail as well?

    Thank you.

    Reply

  168. Hi Hazel,
    Love the experience you are sharing on converting your driver’s license and also the process of renouncing citizenship (very tedious indeed!).

    I think your runner can start giving you a commission for the amount of business you are referring to him, and just as well since with Covid, people do need the extra income! 🙂

    I also need your runner’s number and would appreciate if you could share. Many thanks.

    Reply

  171. Hi Hazel
    I am tryin to get my EDLR too
    And I am curious abt the “First Issue Date” is the date we lulus the exam (PDL) or the date we renew it to CDL
    Thank you so much!

    Reply

      1. Thanks for replying Hazel
        That means it is the date that i passed my driving license test, isn’t it?
        Coz i need to prove my PDL issued date for converting my MY license to Japanese one
        Once again, Thank you Hazel

        Reply

  174. Hi Hazel,

    Can you share the jpj runner contact as well?
    My driving test is done in Selangor. Can the runner help?

    Thanks
    Sun

    Reply

  177. Hi Hazel,

    I got my sister to help in obtaining an abstract from JPJ today. However, the JPJ officer told her that I need to cancel my Malaysian Driving License first in order for them to issue her the abstract.

    May I know that you have already cancelled your Malaysia Driving License?

    Thanks,
    Yvonne

    Reply

  180. hi , just to check if anyone tried the runner’s service ? what is the turnaround time to obtain the original letter from JPJ upon engaging the runner? thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Julia

      I personally tried it. That’s why i am posting my experience on my website to share. It will take 1-2 weeks time including courier service to Singapore.

      Reply

  181. Hi Hazel
    Estimated how long does it take to receive the original JPJ letter from the runner upon engaging him ?
    Could you share his contact ? Thanks

    Reply

  182. Hi Hazel,

    If possible can u give me runner Contact no in Singapore to get extract latter from Singapore police traffic. I need urgently coz I can’t renew my licence..ur help is much appreciated. Tq

    Reply

  184. Hi Hazel,

    It’s a very good information you shared above. Thank you for that.
    I thought I can keep my license before conversion so I asked my parents to renew it.
    However, I read from above that our license need to be cancelled? Can you advise how this is done?
    My parents told me that I will need to fill in and sign a form to get the abstract like yours and JPJ officer told them that my license will be taken back. The form even mentioned that my MY License will be “disenaraihitamkan”.
    Does this sounds strange to you?
    I see that the we need original and photocopied foreign license at the last part of the process of converting the license.
    Can you please share me your Runner’s contact details?
    Thank you very much and Happy New Year!

    Reply

    1. Hi Eugene

      Emailed you 🙂 We can only have one valid driving license. So if you decided to convert, your Malaysia license will no longer be valid unless you surrender your Singapore driving license to LTA and show Malaysia side LTA letter stating your Singapore license cancelled.

      Reply

  187. Hi Hazel,

    This is super useful. Thank you so much for sharing.
    I am in the midst of completing the e-trial BTT which i registered with Comfort Delgro driving school.
    May i also have the runner contact number and name?
    Thanks alot

    Reply

    1. Hi Siau Min

      You can check their official website to double confirm. Based on what I know, no walk-ins are allow for now. All by appointment.

      Reply

  194. Hi Hazel,

    I’ve obtained my pr for more than 10 yrs and licence for about 3 yrs. will the conversion method still be same as yours? Btw could you share with me the runners contact

    Thankyou.

    Reply

    1. Hi Mai

      Did you get your Malaysia driving license after obtaining PR? If yes, you need to take full course in Singapore to obtain Singapore driving license. Perhaps you can check with Driving Center for further clarification

      Reply

  201. Hi Hazel, I just got my PR and would like to convert my malaysia driving license (Obtained in 2017). Can I show traffic police my old malaysia P license instead of the JPJ letter to verify my issuance date? As P license is the first license issued by malaysia when you pass the driving test. It will state valid from when to when. Also can share the details of your runner? Appreciate your help. Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Hi Ken

      Emailed you 🙂 They need to see the issuance letter from JPJ to prove your information up to date. I doubt they can accept it. You can try asking them.

      Reply

  204. Hi Hazel,

    Thank you for the informative sharing! By any chance do you know if we have to convert the Malaysian driving license strictly within 3 months after obtaining Singapore citizenship? I am already done with all the formalities but have yet to convert my driving license.

    And may I also ask what is the warranty letter stating the nationality you are referring to in point (a) of Tips?

    Thanks,
    SY

    Reply

    1. Hi Sin Yee

      Ya I saw in the website that you need to do so within 3 mths after conversion of citizenship.
      You need to produce the documents stating that you already renounce and issued by Malaysia Embassy. Not sure which document but you can call traffic police to confirm. The officer told me that we can do so after convert Singapore citizenship. You just need those documents from Malaysia Embassy to show them.
      Perhaps you can share further after you manage to convert.

      Thanks 🙂

      Reply

      1. Hi Hazel,

        Thank you for the reply! I managed to find out that I will have to convert my license within 3 months after conversion of citizenship. May I also have the contact details of the runner?

        Thank you once again!

        Reply

  212. Hi Hazel,

    Thank you for sharing. May I please have the runner’s contact? Would be super useful during these difficult time.

    Reply

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