The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Traffic Police (TP) have streamlined their requirements for the medical examination for vocational drivers aged 65 and above. LTA has also made changes to the driving test for Class 3 vocational drivers turning 70, 73 and 74 years old, and have granted a 6-month extension for Class 3 and Class 4 vocational drivers affected by the deferment of statutory medical examinations during circuit breaker to undergo the medical and pass their driving tests.
Changes to Medical Examination for Vocational Drivers
2 To be a vocational driver, an individual must have a driving licence (issued by TP) and a vocational licence (issued by LTA). Currently, vocational licence holders aged 65 and above must undergo two medical examinations, one required by TP and the other by LTA, and one driving test, to renew their driving licence and vocational licence.
3 To provide greater convenience, drivers who turn 65 and above on or after 9 September 2020 will henceforth only need to undergo one medical examination, instead of two separate ones, to renew their driving licence and vocational licence. The medical report must be submitted to both LTA and TP within the two months prior to the driver’s birthday.
4 Vocational drivers will be informed of the streamlined medical examination process through the medical screening letter from LTA. Non-vocational drivers will not be affected by these streamlined processes.
Changes to Assessment on Fitness to Drive for Class 3 Vocational Drivers Turning 70, 73 and 74 Years Old
5 Class 3 vocational drivers turning 70, 73 and 74 years old are currently required to undergo an Assessment on Fitness to Drive which consists of a medical examination by a medical practitioner[1] and an off-road test by an Occupational Therapist (OT), as well as an on-road driving test by an OT and a driving instructor. In consultation with the Ministry of Health and the Singapore Medical Association, the current medical examination and on-road driving test will continue to apply, while the off-road test done by an OT and the involvement of an OT during the on-road driving test will be removed. This is because a local study has shown that the main reasons for vocational drivers failing their driving tests are poor driving skills or driving habits, and not the influence of medical conditions. With the change, driving instructors will continue to conduct on-road driving tests and refer drivers who exhibit signs and symptoms of possible conditions that may affect safe driving for further medical review. Doctors can also refer any patient to an OT if deemed necessary.
6 This streamlined Assessment will apply to vocational drivers who have turned or are turning 70, 73 or 74, and who have yet to undergo their off-road test with an OT by 30 July 2020. Drivers who have already registered for the Assessment on Fitness to Drive may complete the Assessment without the off-road test. Drivers may register at any of the three driving centres (Bukit Batok Driving Centre, ComfortDelGro Driving Centre and Singapore Safety Driving Centre) from 30 July 2020.
Extension for Submission of Medical Reports and Assessment Reports for Vocational Drivers
7 Statutory medical checks by doctors for the renewal of vocational licences have resumed in Phase 2 of Singapore’s gradual re-opening. LTA has extended the grace period for Class 3 and Class 4 vocational drivers affected by circuit breaker measures to undergo the medical and pass their driving test by six months. Please refer to the Annex for details.
