New Initiatives

Please refer to the user-flow below on how to access the Digital LTA VL in the Singpass app. 

 

Faster Turnaround Time

• Issued within 20 working days upon passing test requirements. 

Greater Convenience and Hassle-free

• Avoid the issue of lost/damaged VL cards.
• Travel lighter with a Digital LTA VL, which is easily accessible via the Singpass app. 

Q1: Is any action required from drivers to activate the Digital LTA VLs?

A1: No action is needed. Drivers do not need to update the Singpass app to view the Digital LTA VL.

Q2: Will there be changes to the application fee for a vocational licence following the launch of the Digital LTA VL?

A2: The application fee for a vocational licence will remain at $40.

Q3: Will vocational licence applicants issued with a new licence still receive physical cards after the Digital LTA VL launch? What if I still wish to own a physical card following the launch of the Digital LTA VL?

A3: No physical card will be issued for vocational licence (VL) applicants issued with a new licence after the Digital LTA VL’s launch.The Digital LTA VL is recognised as an official document issued by LTA. There is no difference between the Digital LTA VL and the physical card.

If you still wish to own a physical card, you can apply for one on the GoBusiness Licensing portal after you have been issued with a Digital LTA VL on the Singpass app. You will need to pay an administrative fee of $21.80 and can expect to receive your photocard licence via registered mail within 20 working days.

Q4: Will the Digital LTA VL reflect my expired, cancelled, revoked, and suspended VLs?

A4: Only VLs with active status will be shown in the Digital LTA VL. Drivers who wish to enquire about their expired, cancelled, suspended, or revoked VLs may do so at the OneMotoring website's VL enquiry function.

Q5: My Digital LTA VL does not reflect my data correctly. Who can I approach?

A5: You may reach out to LTA at our Online Contact Form, if your VLs with active status are not reflected correctly.

For more information, you may refer to the LTA Press Release - LTA DVL.   

What are the benefits of applying for a licence conversion vs applying for the TDVL directly?

Besides having to undergo a shorter 8-hour conversion course, compared to a 16- hour TDVL course, the application fees and course fee for conversion are also more affordable compared to applying for a TDVL directly. Please refer to the comparison table below for more details.

 

*If your PDVL is expiring, please ensure that you renew your licence before the completion of the TDVL conversion course. Please note that a renewal fee of $40 shall apply. For applicants aged 67 years old and above, the TDVL will be valid till the day before their 70th birthday. TDVL holders are required to pass an Assessment on Fitness to Drive prior to their 70th, 73rd and 74th birthdays in order to renew their licence.

Who is eligible to apply to convert PDVL to TDVL?

To apply for a PDVL to TDVL conversion, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Be at least 30 years old at the point of application

2. Be a Singapore Citizen

3. Have a valid PDVL

•         Your converted licence will be valid for the remaining duration of the original PDVL. If you have passed the PDVL test recently, you will only be able to convert to TDVL after your PDVL expiry date is updated. Check your PDVL status and expiry date here.

•         If your PDVL is expiring, you may be required to renew it before the licence conversion can take place.

 

How do I apply to convert PDVL to TDVL?

Step 1: Make Sure Your PDVL Is Valid

Please make sure you are holding a valid Private Hire Car Driver’s Vocational Licence (PDVL) before applying for the conversion. If you have passed the PDVL test recently, you will only be able to convert to TDVL after your PDVL expiry date is updated. Check your PDVL status and expiry date here.

Step 2: Submit an application online to convert from PDVL to TDVL

Existing PDVL holders who wish to apply for a conversion to TDVL may submit your application through GoBusiness Licensing portal > Login using Singpass. Search for “TDVL” under licence application and follow the steps to apply for a TDVL. You will be charged $28.04 (instead of $40) at the payment page if you are an existing PDVL holder (i.e., with valid PDVL).

You can use a computer, tablet (7 inch and above) or a smart phone (5.5 inch and above) toggled to Desktop setting to access the GoBusiness Licensing portal. 

Step 3: Receive the In-Principle Approval from LTA

After submitting an application to convert your PDVL to TDVL, an in-principle approval letter will be sent to your email address within 15 working days if all the documents are in order.

Step 4: Undergo the PDVL to TDVL conversion course and test

You may then register for the PDVL to TDVL conversion course with the in-principle approval letter from LTA. You may register for the conversion course with any of the following training providers below.

You are required to register for the conversion course within 4 months and pass the competency test within 1 year from the date of LTA’s in-principle approval letter. If your PDVL expires while undergoing the conversion course and test, you will be required to renew your expired PDVL before LTA can issue you with the converted TDVL.

Step 5: LTA issues the converted TDVL

After completing the conversion course and test, you will be issued with a temporary TDVL on the same day to start driving a taxi or a Private Hire Car, while LTA processes the issuance of your converted TDVL. 

You will be issued with a Digital LTA Vocational Licence on the Singpass app within 20 working days after passing your vocational licence tests. Please be assured that you may use your Temporary Vocational Licence to drive in the meantime.

With the launch of the Digital LTA Vocational Licence on the Singpass mobile application on 1 April 2023, LTA no longer issues physical vocational licence cards for all new applicants who pass their test on/after 1 April 2023. It is no longer necessary for drivers to hold a physical VL card. Drivers can use their Digital LTA VL as an official identification document upon request by Authorities.

Q1: Do I still have to renew my PDVL if I am applying for a conversion? What happens if my PDVL expires while I am undergoing the conversion course? Do I have to undergo a medical examination for the purpose of applying for a licence conversion?

A1: A converted Taxi Driver’s Vocational Licence (TDVL) is only valid for the remaining period of the Private Hire Car Driver’s Vocational Licence (PDVL). If your PDVL has expired or is due for renewal, you will first need to renew your PDVL before applying for a conversion.

While it is not a requirement for the licence conversion applicants to undergo medical examination or chest x-ray, applicants may still need to complete a medical assessment as part of the PDVL renewal requirements.

PDVL which has been expired by more than 3 years cannot be renewed, you will be required to apply for a new TDVL and undergo the full course and test. You may check our vocational licence application page for more information on TDVL application.

If your PDVL expires while undergoing the conversion course and test, you will be required to renew your expired PDVL before LTA can issue you with the converted TDVL.

Q2: How long do I have to complete the conversion course and test?

A2: You are required to register for the conversion course within 4 months and pass the competency test within 1 year from the date of LTA’s in-principle approval letter. Otherwise, your application will lapse. If your PDVL expires while undergoing the conversion course and test, you will be required to renew your expired PDVL before LTA can issue you with the converted TDVL.