What are the prefixes assigned to private buses?

Can a public service vehicle be registered under an individual?

School Buses and Private Hire Buses may be registered under a company or an individual. However, Private Buses and Excursion Buses have to be registered under a company's name.

Do I need a vocational licence to drive a bus?

Drivers of all buses, except Private Buses that ferry employees or business associates of the vehicle owners, require a valid General Bus Driver's Vocational Licence issued by the LTA.

If a Private Bus is approved to ferry students and/or tourists, the driver must also possess a valid General Bus Driver's Vocational Licence.

Do I need a COE to register a bus?

You need a Category C or E ("open" for any type of vehicle) COE for the registration of Excursion Buses, Private Buses and Private Hire Buses.

School Buses are exempted from COE. However, please note that no new School Bus licences are available. You may purchase existing School Buses from the resale market. Existing School Bus owners are allowed to register a replacement bus with exemption of COE.

What are the standard guidelines for carrying advertisements on public service vehicles?

You may download the Guidelines for Advertisements here.

Can a Singapore-registered bus enter Malaysia?

You have to check with the Land Public Transport Commission in Malaysia.

The contact details of the various Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (SPAD) offices are as follows:

Can an existing private bus be converted to a private hire bus (PH) or vice versa?

Yes, but it is subject to LTA's approval.

What type of driving licence is required to drive a bus?

For queries on driving licences, you may wish to contact the Traffic Police Department at 10 Ubi Avenue 3, Singapore 408865. You can call them at 6547 0000 or fax them at 6547 4900.

Is there an incentive for a private hire bus, excursion bus or private bus to convey students to and from schools?

Private Hire Buses, Excursion Buses or Private Buses may be used to convey students to and from schools.

These bus owners may be given 50% road tax rebate if the buses are sufficiently used to convey students.

To apply for the incentive, please submit the following documents:

Application Form   1 copy School bus agreement or certification letter from the school that the bus is conveying its school children   1 copy Students' name list (Form A-1 & A2) endorsed by the School Principal   1 copy A photocopy of bus driver's NRIC, Vocational and Driving Licence   1 copy A photocopy of Bus Attendant?s Vocational Licence (if applicable)   1 copy

Note :

Applicant may submit the application by post or in person to: Land Transport Authority Bus and Vocational Licensing Division 10 Sin Ming Drive Singapore 575701 Attention: Deputy Manager, Bus Licensing Driver of the school bus must possess a valid General Bus Driver's Vocational Licence

Is a bus attendant required if a bus is used to convey students?

A bus attendant, with a valid Bus Attendant's Vocational Licence, is needed if the bus is used to convey school children enrolled in any childcare centre or kindergarten or if the bus is authorised to carry more than 30 children.

What is the seating capacity for buses used to convey school children to and from school?

Three children of up to 12 years old may occupy a double-seater bench seat meant for two adults while one child may occupy a single seat.

However, this seating arrangement does not apply to buses which are fitted with seat belts.

What are the additional safety requirements that buses used to convey school children have to comply with?

All School Buses and any bus used to convey school children are required to have the following safety features installed:

	Automatic activation of the school bus hazard warning lights when the entrance or exit door is opened; and
	Reflective "Children Crossing" sign with red blinking LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) at the rear of the bus. The LED lights will be activated when the entrance or exit door is opened.

Owners can make provision on their buses to de-activate the red blinking LED lights when they are not carrying school children.

Where can I go to install these safety devices?

Owners of School Buses and buses used to convey school children can approach the school bus associations - Singapore School and Private Hire Bus Owners? Association (SSPHBOA) or the Singapore School Transport Association (SSTA), to make arrangements to have the safety devices installed.

What are the penalties if school buses or private buses licensed to carry school children, does not comply with these safety requirements?

First-time offenders are liable, upon conviction, to a fine of up to $1,000 or a jail term of up to three months. Repeat offenders are liable, upon conviction, to a fine of up to $2,000 or a jail term of up to six months.

Do I need to submit the Students? name list (Form A-1 & A2) to the LTA?

Bus owners of buses used to convey school children are required to submit an updated Students' name list (Form A-1 & A2) on a yearly basis. Please submit a copy of the Students' name list for LTA's records and retention.

Do I need to seek prior approval to lay up my bus?

Yes, if your bus is used to convey school children.

Please submit an application letter stating the bus registration number and reason for the lay up to LTA, Bus and Vocational Licensing, 10 Sin Ming Drive, Singapore 575701.

What is an Adult Workers' Contract (AWC) permit?

Buses with CB-suffix registration numbers are School Buses. If a bus owner wants to use the School Bus to ferry workers, the bus owner has to apply for the AWC permit. The permit fee is $5 for 6 months.

Do School Bus owners (buses with CB-suffix registration number) have to display the Adult Workers' Contract (AWC) label?

No, School Buses are no longer required to display the AWC label.

If I am the owner of a Private Hire Bus/ School Bus currently, can it be converted to an Excursion Bus?

Private Hire Bus/ School Bus under the ownership of individuals are not allowed to be converted to an Excursion Bus. Only transport companies and tour operators may convert and register an Excursion Bus.

If I am the owner of a Private Bus currently, can it be converted to an Excursion Bus?

Yes, Private Bus can be converted to an Excursion Bus provided the principal activities of the business must be transport or tour-related. Prior approval is not needed from LTA's Bus & Vocational Licensing Division to convert to an Excursion Bus. However, the driver of the Excursion Bus must be a Vocational Licence holder.

If I have converted my Private Hire Bus/ Private Bus/ School Bus to an Excursion Bus, can I convert it back to a Private Hire Bus/ Private Bus/ School Bus or vice versa?

Yes. There is no restriction on the number of conversion. No prior approval is needed from LTA's Bus &Vocational Licensing Division to convert a bus to an Excursion Bus. However, applicant is required to seek prior approval from LTA's Bus & Vocational Licensing Division to convert an Excursion Bus to any other type of bus. For more information on the transfer/ registration approval procedure of a bus, please refer to the guidelines on the registration/ transfer of buses on www.lta.gov.sg > Public Transport > Bus > Transfer/ Registration of a Bus.

Is there a need to change the insurance policy if I convert my Private Hire Bus/ Private Bus/ School Bus to an Excursion Bus?

It is the responsibility of the bus owner to ensure sufficient insurance coverage for his intended use. The bus owner should update the insurance company on the changes to the use of the bus to ensure a valid policy of insurance that secures payment of adequate compensation to a passenger who is injured or killed in an accident due to the negligence of a person driving the vehicle. You may wish to refer to the General Insurance Association of Singapore (GIAS) for queries on motor insurance.

Last Updated on 28/02/2012