If you’ve dreamt of swiftly cruising on a fancy 2-wheeled ride down the highways like Neo and Trinity from The Matrix, here’s the nudge you’ve been waiting for – it’s time to put on your leather blazer and take the first steps in getting your motorbike license.
But there’s more to getting your license than taking a chio passport-sized photo and going motorbike shopping. For those who are lost about the process of becoming a licensed motorcyclist, here’s a rundown of all there is to know about getting your motorbike license in Singapore.
Table of Contents
Prices are standard across the 3 driving schools for tests. Where it differs are the theory and practical lessons, as well as administrative fees you might have to pay for. We’ve broken down the prices for each school here:
Prices listed are not inclusive of 9% GST
| Item | Class 2B | Class 2A | Class 2 | |
| Administrative Fees | Enrolment (1 year + online fee) | $63 | $73 | $83 |
| Membership renewal (per month) | $6 | $7 | $8 | |
| Admin fee | $2.70 | |||
| Eyesight test | $1.80 | – | – | |
| License photo | $6.50 | – | – | |
| Lesson fees | Theory lesson | $17 each | – | |
| Theory practice | $3 | – | – | |
| Theory evaluation | $5 | – | – | |
| Circuit practical | $25 (off peak) $29 (peak) | – | – | |
| Road practical | $35 (off peak) $39 (peak) | – | – | |
| Stage 8 practical | $56 (off peak) $58 (peak) | – | – | |
| Practical lesson | – | $20 (off peak) $34 (peak) | $36 (off peak) $40 (peak) | |
| Simulator | $21.55 | |||
| Expressway familiarisation | $38 | – | – | |
| Test fees | BTT | $6.50 (if no driver’s license) | – | – |
| RTT | $6.50 | – | – | |
| Traffic Police test | $33 | |||
| Vehicle rental | $60 | $65 | $75 | |
Prices listed are inclusive of GST. CDC requires all enrolled students to also rent a set of their Compulsory Safety Accessories Kit, which includes a helmet, gloves, and elbow and knee guards, which is not listed in this table.
| Item | Class 2B | Class 2A | Class 2 | |
| Administrative fees | Enrolment | $10 per motorbike license class | ||
| Eyesight | $1.96 | – | – | |
| License photo | $7.09 | – | – | |
| 6 months extension | – | $49.05 per extension | ||
| Lesson fees | Practical lessons (1-7) | Circuit: $28.34 (off peak) $31.61 (peak)Road: $39.24 (off peak) $42.51 (peak) | – | – |
| Stage 8 | $59.95 (off peak) $63.22 (peak) | – | – | |
| Internal evaluation | $6.54 (off peak) $7.63 (peak) | – | – | |
| Circuit | $28.34 (off peak) $31.61 (peak) | – | – | |
| Simulator | $27.03 | |||
| Self-practice | $14.17 | $21.80 | $27.25 | |
| Expressway familiarisation | $37.06 | – | – | |
| Practical & Theory Course | – | $92.65 | $87.20 | |
| Training, re-training & circuit use | – | $33.79 (off peak) $37.06 (peak) | $41.42 (off peak) $44.69 (peak) | |
| Test fees | BTT | $6.50 (if no driver’s license) | – | – |
| RTT | $6.50 | – | – | |
| Traffic Police test | $33 | |||
| Admin fee per test | $2.94 | |||
| Vehicle rental & warm up | $70.85 | $76.30 | $87.20 | |
Prices listed are inclusive of GST.
| Item | Class 2B | Class 2A | Class 2 | |
| Administrative fees | Eye sight test | $1.96 | – | – |
| Photo | $7.08 | – | – | |
| Course extension (every 6 months) | $32.70 | $38.15 | $43.60 | |
| Course renewal | $6.54 | $6.54 | $7.63 | |
| Course maintenance | $5.45 | |||
| Lesson fees | Enrolment & theory lessons | $185.30 | $99.19 | $92.65 |
| Circuit training theory | $21.80 (off peak) $23.98 (peak) | – | – | |
| Circuit training practical | $26.16 (off peak) $23.98 (peak) | $31.61 off, $33.79 peak | $39.24 off, $43.60 peak | |
| Simulator | $24.38 | $24.38 | $24.38 | |
| Road practical | $37.06 (off peak) $39.24 (peak) | – | – | |
| Road revision | $37.06 (off peak) $39.24 (peak) | – | – | |
| Stage 8 | $56.68 (off peak) $58.86 (peak) | – | – | |
| Circuit revision | $10.90 (off peak) $13.08 (peak) | $31.61 (off peak) $33.79 (peak) | $39.24 (off peak) $43.60 (peak) | |
| Expressway familiarisation | $37.06 (off peak) $39.24 (peak) | – | – | |
| Test fees | BTT | $6.50 (if no driver’s license) | – | – |
| RTT | $6.50 | – | – | |
| Traffic Police test | $33 | |||
| Admin fee per test | $2.94 | |||
| Vehicle rental | $54.50 | $65.40 | $76.30 | |
First things first, as with all vehicle licenses in Singapore, you’ll need to be 18 years old and above to be permitted to apply for a motorbike license. Similar to getting your driver’s license, there’ll be an eyesight test you’ll have to pass. You’ll also need to make a health declaration at your chosen driving centre stating that you are mentally and physically fit.
Now that you’ve passed the eyesight test, you’re about 20% closer to getting your motorbike license – yay! Before you rush off to go motorbike shopping, it’s best to know what license class you’ll be taking and what schools are available.
Beginner-friendly models like the Yamaha YZF-R155 are 155cc.
Image credit: Khai
All newbies will start off with getting a Class 2B license, where you’ll be eligible to ride a motorbike of up to 200cc – which are those that go up to ~90mph. After 1 year of obtaining the Class 2B license, you’ll be able to level up and apply for a Class 2A license, allowing you to ride motorbikes of up to 400cc.
I think you see the pattern here – so if you plan to get a motorbike of 400cc and above, you can apply for Class 2 license 1 year after you’ve gotten the Class 2A license.
Motorbike lessons are only available at driving centres. There are no private classes that you can legally attend.
Image credit: G Durai via Google Maps
Moving on to the schools – here are 3 driving centres you can choose from: Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC) at Woodlands; Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC) at Bukit Gombak; and ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (CDC) at Ubi. We’d recommend picking the centre that’s most accessible for you since you’ll be completing both theory and practical lessons here.
Theory-wise, there are 2 tests you’ll have to pass – the Basic Theory Test (BTT) and the Riding Theory Test (RTT). And good news for those who’re already Class 3 or 3A drivers, or have already passed the car license’s BTT – you won’t have to take the BTT again as they are essentially the same.
Theory lessons are mandatory, and you’ll be authorised to get your Provisional Driving license (PDL) after passing the BTT. If you aren’t familiar, the PDL allows you to start practical lessons, and you’ll have to pass the RTT to be able to apply for the final practical test.
Note that the BTT, RTT, and PDL are only needed for getting your Class 2B motorbike license in Singapore. You don’t need to pass these again when signing up for Class 2A and Class 2 licenses.
Once you’ve passed the theory exams, all that’s left to conquer is the Practical Riding Test. To prep for the test, you’ll have to attend and pass several compulsory practical lessons. Each centre has a slightly differing course outline – with an average of 8-10 lessons in total, and each lesson is broken down into 1-3 stages.
You’ll cover circuit obstacles like slalom, crank course, and figure 8, as well as riding on the roads.
Image credit: Zen Ong via Google Maps
Lessons are structured in a step-by-step format where you’ll only advance to the next stage after your instructor has deemed that you have passed the current one. In other words, failing will have you repeating the same stage until you get the green light from the instructor.
Image credit: Roy Chan via Google Maps
You’ll be required to wear covered shoes, long trousers or jeans, and a sleeved shirt. You’ll also need to wear protective elbow and knee guards and a helmet for safety, but you can borrow these gear from the driving centre if you don’t own any.
Once you’ve completed all the practical lessons, it’s time to advance to the final stage and book the Practical Riding Test. We’ve heard that due to high demand, you’ll need to wait several weeks before getting a slot – to prevent all that knowledge from seeping out of your brain before the exam, you can book revision lessons at the driving centre to practice while waiting.
There’s no magic formula to passing your traffic police practical riding test. The best advice we can offer is to practice as much as you can. That being said, here are a few tips sworn as shared by riders who’ve passed their test.
Practice makes perfect: Like everything in life, there’s no expertise without practice. So before your riding test, you’ll want to make sure you’ve adequately prepared yourself. Riders advise booking a road and circuit session a day before, and not on the day of the test, to reduce nerves. If possible, book the same bike and same time slots as your test so you’re familiar with your bike and current road conditions.
Memorise your test routes and safety checks: Deviating off course results in an immediate failure. You can ask the instructors where the TP testers are located along your test route; then there’s less pressure on yourself if you make a boo boo where they aren’t located. There are also safety checks you must do along the circuit; don’t rely on the riders in front of you to signal what you need to do next.
Rest and fuel up: Get a good night’s sleep before your test. You’ll want to be alert, so you’re more aware of your surroundings. Make sure you have a filling breakfast or lunch before your test too, as some test centres don’t have a cafeteria and you’re likely to spend a good part of your day there. If not, bring snacks to keep hunger at bay. Having something to munch on will also help to calm your nerves.
The road to getting your motorbike license might seem complicated, with the multiple lessons and tests involved. But don’t let this deter you from signing up as it’s also a useful skill to have on hand. On the plus side, it’s generally more affordable than getting your car license thanks to the lower fees involved.
Cover image adapted from: Team Laki Bini Alang & Saleha, Md Minarul via Google Maps
Originally published on 22nd June 2022. Last updated by Raewyn Koh on 20th June 2024.
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