What are the prefixes assigned to private buses? Can a public service vehicle be registered under an individual? Do I need a vocational licence to drive a bus? Do I need a COE to register a bus? What are the standard guidelines for carrying advertisements on public service vehicles? Can a Singapore-registered bus enter Malaysia ? Can an existing private bus be converted to a private hire bus (PH) or vice versa? Can an existing private hire bus or private bus be converted to an excursion bus? What type of driving licence is required to drive a bus? Is there an incentive for a private hire bus, excursion bus or private bus to convey students to and from schools? Is a bus conductor required if a bus is used to convey students? What is the seating capacity for a school bus? What are the additional safety requirements that school buses have to comply with? Where can I go to install these safety devices? What are the penalties if school buses or private buses licensed to carry school children, does not comply with these safety requirements?

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 vocational licence issued by LTA.

If a private bus is approved to ferry students and/or tourists, the driver must also possess a valid 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, private 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 Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board in Malaysia.

The address is as follows:

Aras 2, Blok Menara,
Lot 2G6, Presint 2,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62100 Putrajaya
Tel : 603-8880 5000
Fax : 603-8880 5621

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.

Can an existing private hire bus or private bus be converted to an excursion bus?

No, only a new bus may be registered as an excursion bus.

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?

To ferry school students, private hire bus, excursion bus or private bus owners have to seek LTA's approval.

Theses buses may be given 50% road tax rebate if they are sufficiently used to convey students.

The documents to be submitted are as follows:

Application Form available at LTA   1 copy Application Letter   1 copy School Bus Agreement or Letter   2 copies Students' Name list endorsed by School Principal   2 copies Driver's photocopy of NRIC, Vocational and Driving License   1 copy A photocopy of Conductor's Vocational License (if applicable)   1 copy

Note :

Applicant may submit the application by post or in person to LTA, 10 Sin Ming Drive, Singapore 575701. Driver must possess a valid school bus driver's vocational licence Following information must be stated in the application letter : School Name School Address Route Taken Time Taken Bus Fare Applicant must provide the students' full names. If not, their contact numbers must be given.

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

A bus conductor 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 arrangement for a school bus?

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

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

All school buses and private buses with a licence to carry 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?

School bus and private bus owners can approach the school bus associations - Singapore School and Private Hire Bus Owners (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.

Last Updated on 13/08/2008