s 38 Recognition of foreign driving licences and driving permits
38. —(1) Despite not holding a valid driving licence but subject to the provisions of this Act, it is lawful for a holder of a valid foreign driving licence to drive in Singapore, for a period of 12 months starting from the date of his or her last entry into Singapore, a motor vehicle of the class or description which the foreign driving licence authorises him or her to drive. [28/2014] (2) However, subsection (1) does not apply where the holder of the foreign driving licence — ( a ) is a citizen of Singapore or permanent resident of Singapore; or [Act 31 of 2023 wef 31/12/2024] ( b ) is a work pass driver. [28/2014] (3) If at any time a holder of a valid foreign driving licence becomes — ( a ) a citizen of Singapore or permanent resident of Singapore; or [Act 31 of 2023 wef 31/12/2024] ( b ) a work pass driver, then subsection (1) applies to that holder of a foreign driving licence for the prescribed period instead of the 12‑month period in subsection (1). [28/2014] (4) Despite not holding a valid driving licence, it is lawful for — ( a ) a member of a visiting force; or ( b ) a member of a civilian component of the visiting force, who holds a driving permit issued to him or her by a competent authority of the country of the visiting force to drive in Singapore a motor vehicle belonging to the country of the visiting force which is of the class or description specified in the driving permit. [28/2014] (5) In this section — “civilian component” and “visiting force” have the respective meanings given by the Visiting Forces Act 1960; [ Deleted by Act 31 of 2023 wef 01/12/2025 ] “prescribed period” means the period prescribed, starting from — ( a ) for a person referred to in subsection (3)( a ), the date on which the person is granted a certificate of citizenship under the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore or an entry permit under the Immigration Act, whichever first happens; or ( b ) for a person referred to in subsection (3)( b ), the date on which the person is issued with a work pass under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990; “work pass driver” means the holder of a work pass issued under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 who drives a motor vehicle carrying passengers or goods or both — ( a ) for hire or reward; or ( b ) because of or under a contract of employment. [28/2014] —(1) Despite not holding a valid driving licence but subject to the provisions of this Act, it is lawful for a holder of a valid foreign driving licence to drive in Singapore, for a period of 12 months starting from the date of his or her last entry into Singapore, a motor vehicle of the class or description which the foreign driving licence authorises him or her to drive. [28/2014] (2) However, subsection (1) does not apply where the holder of the foreign driving licence — ( a ) is a citizen of Singapore or permanent resident of Singapore; or [Act 31 of 2023 wef 31/12/2024] ( b ) is a work pass driver. [28/2014] (3) If at any time a holder of a valid foreign driving licence becomes — ( a ) a citizen of Singapore or permanent resident of Singapore; or [Act 31 of 2023 wef 31/12/2024] ( b ) a work pass driver, then subsection (1) applies to that holder of a foreign driving licence for the prescribed period instead of the 12‑month period in subsection (1). [28/2014] (4) Despite not holding a valid driving licence, it is lawful for — ( a ) a member of a visiting force; or ( b ) a member of a civilian component of the visiting force, who holds a driving permit issued to him or her by a competent authority of the country of the visiting force to drive in Singapore a motor vehicle belonging to the country of the visiting force which is of the class or description specified in the driving permit. [28/2014] (5) In this section — “civilian component” and “visiting force” have the respective meanings given by the Visiting Forces Act 1960; [ Deleted by Act 31 of 2023 wef 01/12/2025 ] “prescribed period” means the period prescribed, starting from — ( a ) for a person referred to in subsection (3)( a ), the date on which the person is granted a certificate of citizenship under the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore or an entry permit under the Immigration Act, whichever first happens; or ( b ) for a person referred to in subsection (3)( b ), the date on which the person is issued with a work pass under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990; “work pass driver” means the holder of a work pass issued under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 who drives a motor vehicle carrying passengers or goods or both — ( a ) for hire or reward; or ( b ) because of or under a contract of employment. [28/2014]