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230122 Driving License Singapore Cost Guide (2022)

Driving License Singapore Cost Guide (2022): Driving School vs Private Driving Instructor Singapore

profileMing Feng

Getting a Singapore Drivers License

It’s no secret that the price of cars in Singapore is a bit crazy.

From a financial standpoint, it is hard to justify a car.

But, many Singaporeans would still want to get a license first as if you lose your job, working as a private hire driver could put food on the table.

All thanks to the kiasu mindset of Singaporeans, getting a car license now holds the same amount of importance as receiving our education.

Speaking from the experience of someone who was teased for not having a driving license at age 29, getting a driving license is indeed IMPORTANT.

Source: Giphy

But first, in-depth research into the cost of getting a driving license is a must!


TL;DR: Driving License in Singapore Cost Guide (2022) — School Driving vs Private Driving Instructor

To get your driving license in Singapore, you can either get it as a school or a private candidate.

For those who choose to take your driving license as a school candidate, there are three driving schools in Singapore which you can go for:

  • Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC)

  • ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (CDC)

  • Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC).

If you choose to go the private route, you must source for your own private instructor.

With these considerations in mind, I did a summary of the total cost of getting a driving license:

ItemBukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC)ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (CDC)Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC)Private Driving Instructor Singapore
Enrolment$96.30
(1-year validity)
$176.55
(1-year validity)
$174.09
(1-year validity)
$80 - $90
Digital Photograph$6.42$6.42$6.42$6.42
Eyesight Test$1.82$1.82$1.82$1.82
Induction Programme$34.24 – $38.52
(Off Peak & Peak)
Theory Lessons$68.48
(4 Lessons)
Not requiredIncluded in enrolment fee
(Can study using app)
Theory Trial Tests$17.12Not required$10.70
BTT & FTT$13.00$13.00$13.00$6.50
Provisional Driving License$25$25$25$25
Driving Simulator$13.91
(1 session)
$79.62
(3 sessions)
$71.82
(3 sessions)
Vehicular Pre-Operative Check + Learner Driver Competency Screening$79.18 - $87.74
(Off Peak & Peak)
Traffic Police Simulation Training + Risk Forecast Training Lesson$45.53
Training Vehicle Conversion Fee + Warm Up Practical Lesson$81.32
Practical Driving Lessons$1,455.20 - $1,819
(20 - 25 lessons)
$1,455.20 - $1,819
(20 - 25 lessons)
$1,520 - $1,900
(20 - 25 lessons)
$825 - $1,140
(15-20 lessons + 5 on circuit)
Practical Driving Test Fee +
Driving License Registration
$83$83$83$83
Practical Test Car Rental + 1 Warm Up$252.52 ($214 + $38.52)$289.97
(warm-up session included)
$231.12 ($192.60 + $38.52)$300
TOTAL (Rounded Up)$2,078.30 - $2,442.10$2,244 - $2,620.70$2,218.30 - $2,284.20$1,327.80 - $1,642.80

Let’s break it down further.


Course Outline: Getting a Class 3/3A Driving License in Singapore

Getting a driving license in Singapore is a complicated process involving a combination of theory lessons, theory tests, practical lessons, and finally, a practical test.

Trust Singaporeans to turn any paper certification into rocket science… What type of cheemology is this?!

After enrolling into a Class 3/3A driving course, here’s what the driving schools’ course outline looks like:

Bukit Batok Driving Centre Driver’s License Course Outline

Source: BBDC

Comfort Driving Centre Driver’s License Course Outline

Source: CDC

Singapore Driving Centre Driver’s License Course Outline

Source: SSDC

All You Need To Know Before Making a Decision on Where To Get Your Driving License

Got that?

Next up we have a list of frequently asked questions to help accelerate your decision as to where you should take your driving license as well as the costs involved.

Class 3 Driving License vs Class 3A Driving License

If you are wondering if a Class 3 or a Class 3A driving license makes more sense, here are the main differences between the two:

Class of driving licenseType
Class 3(a) Motor cars of unladen weight not exceeding 3,000 kg with not more than 7 passengers, exclusive of the driver; and

(b) Motor tractors and other motor vehicles of unladen weight not exceeding 2,500 kg
Class 3A(a) Motor Cars without clutch pedals of unladen weight not exceeding 3,000 kg with not more than 7 passengers exclusive of the driver; and

(b) Motor tractors and other motor vehicles without clutch pedals of unladen weight not exceeding 2,500 kg.

In short, Class 3A is for cars with automatic transmission (or auto cars) – which makes up the majority of the cars on the road. You can only drive an auto car if you hold a Class 3A driving license.

If you have a Class 3 driving license, you can drive cars with automatic or manual transmission.


Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC) vs Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC) vs ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (Comfort Driving Centre)

There are a total of three driving schools in Singapore. So if you’re looking to enrol with a driving school, remember to take note of the location of these driving schools.

After all, you wouldn’t want to travel to Bukit Batok Driving Centre if you live somewhere in the East of Singapore…

The details for each school are as follows:

Driving SchoolAddressWebsiteContact InformationOpening Hours
Bukit Batok Driving Centre
(BBDC)
815 Bukit Batok West Ave. 5
Singapore 659085
https://info.bbdc.sg/Tel: 6561 1233

Mon - Fri: 7.30am - 10.50 pm

Sat & Sun: 7.30am - 3pm

Closed on Public Holidays
ComfortDelGro Driving CentreMain Office:
205 Ubi Ave 4
Singapore 408805

Kovan Branch Office:
900 Upper Serangoon Road
Singapore 534799
https://www.cdc.com.sgTel: 6841 8900Mon - Fri:
9am – 7pm

Saturday & Sunday
8.30am – 12.30pm

Closed on Sunday & Public Holidays
Singapore Safety Driving CentreMain Office:
2 Woodlands Industrial Park E4
Singapore 757387

Ang Mo Kio Branch:
635 Ang Mo Kio Street 61 #01-5113
Singapore 560635
https://www.ssdcl.com.sgTel: 6482 6060Mon - Fri: 9.15am - 6.30pm

Sat & Sun: 9.15am - 1pm

Closed on Public Holidays

Comparison Of Driving School Enrolment Cost: Driving School Enrolment vs Private Driving Instructor Enrolment Fees

The enrolment fee at a driving school is usually higher than that of a private driving instructor.

If you are interested in taking your driving lessons with a school, here’s a comparison of the enrolment fee between the three schools and private driving instructors that charge enrolment fees for registering you as a student:

 Enrolment FeeCourse Extension FeeAdditional Fees
Bukit Batok Driving Centre
(BBDC)
$96.30 $8.03 per month$3 enrolment fee if you opt for online enrolment
Singapore Safety Driving Centre
(SSDC)
$174.09$58.85 (6 month extension)
ComfortDelGro Driving Centre$176.55$64.20 (6 month extension)
Private (Private Driving Instructor Singapore as Reference)$80 - $90

As the enrolment membership is only valid for one year, it will be the most economical to get your driving license within a year upon enrolment to prevent incurring extra costs when you extend your membership.


Miscellaneous Fees

There are also some miscellaneous fees like fees for the eyesight test, photograph and induction fee you need to take note of:

School/PrivateEyesight TestDigital PhotographInduction Programme
BBDC$1.82$6.42
CDC$34.24 & $38.52
(Off Peak & Peak)
SSDC
Private Driving Instructor

Total Cost Of Traffic Police Test Fees: Basic Theory Test (BTT), Final Theory Test (FTT)

The costs of all the Traffic Police tests are standardised for all Singaporeans.

To get your driving license, there is a total of two tests you need to pass, they are:

  • Basic Theory Test (BTT)
  • Final Theory Test (FTT).

The schools offer theory lessons and internal evaluations. But as a CDC driving school student and a private student, you will not have to take them.

You can look for the TP Test – BTT, FTT, RTT & PDVL app available on iOS and Android to study for these tests. But if you prefer, you can buy BTT or FTT books on Carousell for about $5 each.

Here’s a compilation of the costs of the Traffic Police tests and their costs:

School/PrivateTheory Lessons (4 Lessons)Theory Trial Test (Basic & Final)*Traffic Police Test Cost
BBDC$68.48 ($17.12X4)$17.12
[($3.21 + $5.35)X2] per session
BTT: $6.50

FTT: $6.50
CDCNot required
SSDCIncluded in enrolment fee$10.70
($5.35 per session)
Private Driving InstructorFREE (Use TP Test - BTT, FTT, RTT & PDVL App on Google Play & iOS App Store)

Pre-Practical Lesson Costs

Before you can take any practical lessons, the respective schools have some pre-practical lesson costs you need to take note of.

For example, you will need to pay for the Provisional Driving License (PDL) if you want to practice outside the driving school grounds.

The schools also provide driving simulators and a bunch of other miscellaneous pre-practical lessons.

Here is how much they cost:

School/PrivateProvisional Driving Licence (PDL)Driving SimulatorVehicular Pre-Operative Check + Learner Driver Competency ScreeningTraffic Police Simulation Training + Risk Forecast Training LessonTraining Vehicle Conversion Fee + Warm Up Practical Lesson
BBDC$25$13.91 (1 session)$45.53 ($23.06 + $22.47)
CDC$79.62 (3 sessions @ $26.54 each)$79.18 - $87.74
($23.54 - $27.82 +
$55.64 - $59.92)

Peak/Off-Peak
SSDC$71.82 (3 sessions @ $23.94 each)$81.32 ($42.80+$38.52)
Private Driving Instructor

Which Driving School Is The Cheapest For Driving Practical Lessons?

As seen in the table above, practical lessons take up the bulk of the total cost of a driving license.

On average, a candidate in a driving school will take around 20 to 25 driving practical lessons to complete the syllabus.

Whereas for private candidates, most take about 15 – 20 driving practical lessons, including about 5 lessons on the school circuit. But note the number of times you have to hit the circuit depends on your competency.

If you’re planning to start your driving lessons with a driving school, you also have to keep in mind that there are peak and off-peak rates, which depend on when you plan to take your lessons.

Here’s a compilation of the lesson fees:

Driving School/PrivatePractical Lesson Fees
(Off-peak)
Practical Lesson Fees
(Peak)
Average For Schools
Bukit Batok Driving Centre
(BBDC)
$68.48
(100 mins/session)
$77.04
(100 mins/session)
$72.76/session

$1,455.20 - $1,819
(20 - 25 lessons)
ComfortDelGro Driving Centre$68.48
(100 mins/session)
$77.04
(100 mins/session)
$72.76/session

$1,455.20 - $1,819
(20 - 25 lessons)
Singapore Safety Driving Centre
(SSDC)*
$71.69
(100 mins/session)
$80.25
(100 mins/session)
$76/session

$1,520 - $1,900
(20 - 25 lessons)
Private (Private Driving Instructor Singapore as Reference)From $38 per hour (Manual)

$570 - $760 (15 lessons)
+
$290 (5X driving school circuit sessions)
From $45 per hour (Auto)

$675 - $900 (15 - 20 lessons)
+
$290 (5X driving school circuit sessions)

*You can pay another $8.56 per session if you want a fixed instructor for SSDC.

So assuming the school driver goes for 20 – 25 practical driving lessons and takes the test, they would have spent anywhere from $1,445.20 to $1,900 for the practical lessons.

Whereas for the private candidates, they would have taken about 15 – 20 lessons, including about 5 lessons on the school circuit.

This would set them back anywhere from $860 to $1,190 if you include the cost of renting the circuit.

Driving Test Administration Fees

There are also these driving test administration fees you need to consider:

Driving School/PrivatePractical Driving TestDriving Licence Registration
Bukit Batok Driving Centre
(BBDC)
$33$50
ComfortDelGro Driving Centre
Singapore Safety Driving Centre
(SSDC)*
Private (Private Driving Instructor Singapore as Reference)

Total Cost Of Practical Test Car Rental And Warm-up Session

Do note that you’ll need to rent a test vehicle from the driving school for the Practical Driving test. Note that BBDC and SSDC charge for the warm-up session while included for CDC and private candidates.

Here are the rates for practical test vehicle rental:

Driving School/PrivateCost Of Practical Test Car Rental + 1 Warm Up
Bukit Batok Driving Centre
(BBDC)
$252.52 ($214 + $38.52)
ComfortDelGro Driving Centre$289.97
(warm-up session included)
Singapore Safety Driving Centre
(SSDCL)
$231.12 ($192.60 + $38.52)
Private (Soon Tien Driving School)$300

 

Pros And Cons Of Taking Driving Lessons From Driving School And Private Driving Instructor

To help you make a smarter personal finance decision, here are the pros and cons of taking lessons with the school and private driving instructor:

FactorsDriving SchoolPrivate Driving Instructor
CostMore costly due to more expensive and larger number of lessonsMore economical due to cheaper and less lessons
InstructorsMore consistent quality of instructors as screened by schoolWide range of instructor standards

Need to screen for your own instructor (can check HWZ or ask for recommendations)
Number of InstructorsDifferent instructors throughout which can be disruptiveSame instructor throughout (more consistent coaching)
Lesson BookingMight be harder due to higher volume of studentsRelatively easier to book lessons
Circuit PracticeMore circuit practices as schools have priorityMight have fewer changes for circuit
Passing RateBelieved to have higher passing rate due to the higher number of lessonsBelieved to have lower passing rate due to the lower number of lessons
BookingEasier to book theory tests and practical testsMore flexible but might have to wait for bookings as schools have dibs
SyllabusFollows a strict syllabusDepends on the learning speed and competency of learner and might include more real world tips and practice
LocationFixed at the schoolsMore flexible

Do consider these factors, coupled with the total cost involved, before making a decision!

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About Ming Feng
A stint in Bloomberg gifted me with a beer belly, which only grew larger when I moved on to become a Professional Trader. Now I turn caffeine into digestible finance-related content.
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