Yahoo Finance Getting a Driving Licence in Singapore (2024)—Prices and Reviews of BBDC, SSDC, and CDC
It isn’t easy getting a driving license in Singapore. It’s a long, drawn-out process that can cost a lot of money—especially if you fail the tests a few times.
I started taking my practical lessons during my poly days, but I ended up quitting halfway through and then picking it up again during National Service. My advice: get your license early. The more responsibilities you have on your plate, the more difficult it will be to travel all the way from Bishan to Woodlands Industrial Park via public transport numerous times a week for lessons (not like I can drive there, right?).
Even if you never end up owning a car, getting a license is worth it—especially if your parents have a car you can use. If not, you can always use car sharing services.
Anyway, if you’re going to take driving lessons, you probably have lots of questions: Which driving centre should I pick? Should I hire a private driving instructor?
Let’s compare the costs of the different driving centres in Singapore first.
Driving Schools in Singapore—2024 Course Fees
There are three driving schools in Singapore. Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC) is in Woodlands, ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (CDC) is in Ubi and Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC) is obviously in Bukit Batok. Ideally, you would want to pick the school that is most convenient for you in terms of distance, but there may be other factors (like pricing and passing rate) that may affect your decision.
All three schools have some standardised fees. Generally, everything conducted or mandated by the Traffic Police is standardised, e.g. photo taking, eyesight test, BTT, FTT and practical test.
Prices only differ a little with regard to the theory and practical lessons. Comfortdelgro seems like the cheapest option when it comes to enrollment, and taking the necessary lessons and trial tests before the first Basic Theory Test (BTT) will only cost you S$179.85. SSDC is the most costly at S$188.24.
The bulk of your costs will be the practical lessons (as you need to take about 20 of them). But all 3 driving schools charge about the same rate. See the full comparison here.
BBDC (Bukit Batok) | SSDC (Woodlands) | Comfortdelgro (Ubi) | |
Eyesight test | S$1.96 | S$1.96 | S$1.96 |
Photo taking | S$7.09 | S$7.08 | S$7.09 |
Enrolment and 4 theory lessons (valid for 1 year) | S$180.94 | S$188.24 | S$179.85 |
Theory practice session | S$3.27 | ||
Theory evaluation | S$5.45 | S$5.45 | S$7.63 |
Basic Theory Test (TP) | S$6.50 | S$6.50 | S$6.50 |
Final Theory Test (TP) | S$6.50 | S$6.50 | S$6.50 |
Practical Test (TP Test) | S$33 | S$33 | S$33 |
Induction programme | – | – | S$23.98 |
Vehicle rental for practical test | S$250.70 | S$239.80 | S$295.39 per test |
Warm up session (Mon to Sat) | S$39.24 | S$43.60 | |
Dedicate fixed instructor | S$8.72 | ||
Practical lesson – Off peak hour | S$71.94 | S$73.03 | S$73.03 |
Practical lesson – Peak hour | S$80.66 | S$81.75 | S$81.75 |
Learner Driver Competency Screening | – | – | S$59.95 to S$64.31 |
Vehicular pre-operative check | – | – | S$23.98 to S$28.34 |
Driving simulator | S$14.17 | S$24.38 | S$27.03 |
Risk forecast training lesson | S$22.89 | – | |
Course extension / Membership renewal | S$9.81 (1 month) | S$59.95 (6 mths) | S$65.40 (6 mths) |
Training vehicle conversion fee | – | S$43.60 | – |
1. Enrolment + 4 Theory Lessons
When you begin your journey to acquiring a driving license, this is the first lumpsum you’ll pay. It consists of 4 mandatory theory lessons together with your enrolment fee. This is before you can apply to take the Basic Theory Test and Final Theory Test.
School | Enrolment + Theory Lesson Fees |
SSDC | S$188.24 (enrolment + 4 classes) |
CDC | S$179.85 (enrolment + 4 classes) |
BBDC | S$180.94 (enrolment + 4 classes) |
CDC is the cheapest of the three schools. But the difference isn’t much, so it’s better to just choose the school that’s closest to you.
2. Driving Theory Tests (BTT & FTT)
After you’ve gone through the lessons–which can be done online, thank goodness–you can apply for the Basic Theory Test. The test fee is S$6.50.
Once you’ve passed the Basic Theory Test, you will be eligible to apply for your Provisional Driving Licence (PDL). You will need to pay S$25 for the PDL, which is valid for two years. This allows you to drive during lessons.
In the meantime, you can also apply for your Final Theory Test. The test fee is also S$6.50. You will need to have passed your Final Theory Test before you can book a date for your Practical Driving Test.
If you’re learning via a private instructor, you technically don’t need to go through any lessons and can just go straight for the theory tests.
However, you should probably just go for one or two theory trial tests before your official test date. These trial tests will help you get the hang of the test system, and, if your memory is good enough, you’ll notice the same questions will come out in the actual test.
Now, for the main costs incurred when learning to drive–the practical lessons.
3a. Practical Driving Lessons at the Driving Centre
Driving schools have a fixed syllabus that they follow, and sometimes have a minimum number of lessons that a student MUST take before being allowed to book a driving test. Lesson fees fall under two categories–peak and off-peak.
School | Practical Lesson Fees |
SSDC | S$73.03 – S$81.75 per 100-minute class |
CDC | S$73.03 – S$81.75 per 100-minute class |
BBDC | S$71.94 – S$80.66 per 100-minute class |
SSDC and CDC charge the same price for practical lessons, while BBDC is slightly more expensive.
In general, you will need about 20-25 lessons at least to complete the syllabus. How quickly you learn is, of course, dependent on you and the instructor. When learning at a driving school, your instructor may not be fixed. SSDC charges an extra fee of S$8.72 per session if you want a fixed instructor.
ALSO READ: Singapore Transport Fares to Rise By Up To 11 Cents—8 Tips to Save Money on Bus & MRT Fares
3b. Practical Driving Lessons With a Private Instructor
With hundreds of private driving instructors across the island, you’re spoilt for choice. There are those who advertise online and those who rely on word of mouth to get customers. There are also those who have the time to take over a hundred students, which could mean that they’re more experienced.
In general, you can expect private driving instructors to charge S$44-S$52 per hour. You learn at your own pace, but you would still need about 20-30 lessons (since the lessons are per hour) before you’re ready for the test.
Also, it’s definitely a good idea to book a warm-up session or two in the driving centre’s test circuit. That way, you’ll get used to the circuit ahead of the practical test.
4. Practical Driving Test
Once you have passed your Final Theory Test and completed your lessons, you can book a date for your practical driving test. The test will cost you S$33. That fee’s just for taking the test.
You will also need to pay for the test vehicle rental and a “warm-up” session prior to the test itself. These fees will burn a hole in your pocket:
School | Practical Test Vehicle Rental Fees |
SSDC | S$239.80 + S$43.60 (warm-up fee) = S$283.40 |
CDC | S$295.39 (price includes warm-up fee) |
BBDC | S$250.70 + S$39.24 (warm-up fee) = S$289.94 |
SSDC may have the cheapest test fees, but again, it’s not by a large margin.
The most painful part of these fees is that if you fail, you have to pay them all over again. So, basically, every time you fail, you lose close to S$300 (talk about nerve-wracking). I managed to pass my test on my first try, but I drove so nervously that the instructor screamed at me at the end and told me I drove like an amateur. Whatever. I passed.
5. Driver’s Licence Fee
Hopefully, you find a way to pass your practical test. Congratulations are in order! You now have to pay a fee of S$50 when you apply for your driving licence. At this point, I don’t think you’d care about the measly S$50.
ALSO READ: How the (COE) Certificate of Entitlement System Works: Bidding & Process
Overview: Driving Centres vs Private Driving Instructors
(Note: This comparison only refers to the costs of a Class 3/3A driving licence.)
Driving school | Private driving instructor | |
Enrolment | S$106.82 | S$80 to S$90 |
Driving Lessons (Theory) | S$74.12 (for 4 classes) | – |
Basic Theory Test | S$6.50 | S$6.50 |
Final Theory Test | S$6.50 | S$6.50 |
Driving Lessons (Practical) | ~ S$2043.75 | ~ S$2,080 |
Practical Driving Test | S$33 | S$33 |
Practical Test Car Rental | S$283.40 to S$295.39 | S$283.40 to S$295.39 |
Driving Licence Fee | S$50 | S$50 |
Estimated total | S$2,604 | S$2,550 |
Should You Learn To Drive at a Driving Centre or With a Private Driving Instructor?
Let’s compare across a few criteria.
Cost: Private driving instructors aren’t obliged to strictly follow a syllabus, so the pace of the lessons depends on how quickly you pick up the skills.
If you’re confident about your driving ability, it might be more cost-effective to sign up with a private driving instructor. Based on the cost of practical lessons alone, you could save a few hundred bucks if you manage to find a private driving instructor whose fees are on the lower end of the scale.
Access to test circuit: Driving schools, like SSDC, CDC, and BBDC, have all the necessary facilities in-house, so if you need more time on the test circuit, you won’t be charged extra, unlike if you were under a private driving instructor.
On the other hand, a private driving instructor should be able to arrange for lessons that suit your busy schedule, unlike a driving school that has very inflexible lesson times.
Location: This is the biggest benefit of a private driving instructor.
Driving schools are notoriously difficult to get to for most people. Unless you live in the far West or the far North, getting to BBDC and SSDC in Bukit Batok and Woodlands, respectively, can require quite the commute. On the other hand, CDC is more centrally located in Ubi, relatively speaking.
If you’re a busy person with very little time to spare, or if you’re confident about your driving skills and the speed at which you’ll learn, you’ll probably save more by going with a private driving instructor.
Otherwise, a driving school might be the more expensive, but also more appropriate option. After all, the point is to pass your driving test. There’s no point breezing through the lessons and rushing to take your test if you end up failing. Failing your driving test simply means spending more money in your attempt to earn your driver’s licence.
Bukit Batok Driving Centre (Bukit Batok)
Bukit Batok Driving Centre is known for its friendly and approachable driving teachers. As you will be going to the centre more than 30 times over the course of your driving school career, you’ll be happy to know that they also have a new food court.
The downside of taking driving lessons here is that it’s all the way in the west. If you’re in a hurry to get your licence, BBDC’s practical lesson booking system will allow you to “camp” for last-minute slots. Also, the test routes are generally free of heavy vehicles, which means it may just be easier to pass your practical test.
Address: 815 Bukit Batok West Ave 5, Singapore 659085
Comfortdelgro Driving Centre (Ubi)
Comfortdelgo Driving Centre is more centrally located than the rest of the centres if you live in the East. The instructors at Comfortdelgro seem to be a mixed bunch. Some reviews say that instructors are very helpful, while there have been some accounts of instructors being impatient and just wasting time.
The course structure seems more conservative. They have implemented an induction programme and internal evaluation to ensure that students have some knowledge before they proceed with the tests.
If you’re taking your practical test at Ubi, the general consensus has it that Ubi’s test routes are more challenging since the industrial area sees heavy trailers, lorries, and impatient commercial vans that may make driving difficult for you. Graduated from Ubi? You’ve earned yourself some street cred.
Address: 205 Ubi Ave 4, Singapore 408805
Singapore Safety Driving Centre (Woodlands)
Singapore Safety Driving Centre is literally minutes away from Johor Bahru. Aside from its Ulu location, people like that there are sheltered areas for motorcycle lessons, and some also praise the booking system for being more refined than the rest.
Apparently the instructors are a mixed bag also, and the SSDC practical lesson booking system is not the most user-friendly. If you’re in a hurry to get your licence, you may want to consider the other two schools or go private.
Address: 2 Woodlands Industrial Park E4, Singapore 757387
Driving Licence Replacement
What if you lose that driving licence that you worked so hard to get? You can get it replaced fairly easily by applying through the Traffic Police’s e-service.
Apply online using your Singpass. It costs S$25, and you can pay using eNETS or a credit card. The existing photograph in the system will be used, so it’s quite fuss-free.
You can also go down to Traffic Police headquarters to apply using the self-service terminals.
International Driving Licence Application
Travelling overseas and planning to rent a car?
Actually, in most countries, you probably will not need an international driving licence, but if you just want to err on the side of caution, you can apply for an international driving permit.
For that, you don’t have to go to any of the driving centres.
The Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS) issues an International Driving Permit (IDP), which costs S$20 and is valid for one year.
It takes 10 working days to be issued if you apply online (a S$5.50 fee will be charged), but if you need it sooner, you can walk in to apply at any of the AA Centres. Bring your NRIC and driving licence.
Take note that it is not recognised in certain countries such as China and Myanmar.
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