Taxi Drivers’ Vocational Licence (TDVL)

E-learning Course

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

How do I apply for the TDVL course?

i) Submit an application form together with an application fee of S$40 to LTA.

ii) After you receive the letter of approval from LTA, you have to undergo a compulsory medical check-up and X-ray.

iii) Once you are certified fit by the doctor, please:

a. Visit our website www.smrt.com.sg

b. Click ‘Taxis’

c. Click ‘Join SMRT Taxis’

d. Click on ‘SMRT VL e-learning’

e. Click on ‘Register Online’

Please note that you must register for the course within three months from the date of LTA’s letter of approval and complete the TDVL course within one year from the date of LTA’s letter of approval.

How much does it cost?

The course fee is S$267.50 including GST .

Thereafter, please send a cheque made payable to “SMRT Taxis Pte Ltd’ to:

SMRT Taxis Pte Ltd

60 Woodlands Industrial Park E4

Singapore 757705

Please submit the original letter of approval from LTA, original medical form certified by the doctor and a recent passport-sized photograph on the day of orientation.

Alternatively, you may visit SMRT Taxis Customer Service Centre at the above address to make payment by cash. Please bring along the original letter of approval from LTA, medical form certified by the doctor and a recent passport-sized photograph.

What are the eligibility criteria to do the TDVL course?

You must be a Singapore citizen
Be at least 30 years old
Have driven for at least 1 year and have a clean driving record
Pass the relevant medical examinations required by LTA

I am a Singaporean Permanent Resident (PR). Can I apply?

No. To be a taxi driver, you have to be a Singapore citizen.

Do I need to have a driving licence?

Yes, and you must have driven for at least 1 year and have a clean driving record.

Must I be able to read and speak simple English?

Yes.

I have just passed my driving, can I apply to do the course?

No, you must have driven for at least 1 year and have a clean driving record.

What are the PC system requirements to access the e-learning course?

a) Internet access using at least a 56K modem

b) Internet browser either from Microsoft or Netscape (Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher is recommended, as the Authorware Web Player 6.0 required to launch the e-learning course will be installed automatically. If your PC is installed with Netscape Navigator 4.0 or higher, the Authorware Web Player 6.0 will have to be installed manually.)

If my PC is installed with Netscape, how do I install Authorware Web Player 6.0?

Please click here to install a copy of Authorware Web Player 6.0.

10.

Where can I go for my medical and X-ray examination?

You can visit any private or government clinic for your medical examination. You may go to SATA to take your X-ray.

11.

I just had an X-ray done less than 6 months ago; do I have to go for X-ray again?

No, provided your X-ray was done locally and you are able to furnish the original X-ray and X-ray report. Any X-ray done locally within the last 1 year will be accepted. Please note that the X-ray result will be submitted to LTA and is non-returnable.

12.

How often do taxi drivers have to go for medical examination?

All taxi drivers are required to go for a medical examination and chest X-ray upon their first application for a TDVL. Following this:

Drivers aged 50 and below 65 years are required to undergo a medical examination once every two years.
Drivers aged 65 and below 73 years are required to undergo an annual medical examination.
For those aged 70 years and above, an additional ‘Therapy Assessment for Elderly Taxi Drivers’ test is required.

13.

How long is the e-learning course?

You have two months from the date of orientation to complete the e-learning course (see Q17). Please note that you have to go for a compulsory excursion before taking the test (see Q18).

14.

What if I cannot complete the course within one year from LTA’s letter of approval?

You need to submit a new application to LTA, and pay the application fee of S$40.00.

15.

What is the course outline? What will I learn?

The course covers five main subjects and you will be tested on each subject.

The subjects are:

i) Rules and Regulations

ii) Routes and Landmarks

iii) Names and Locations of Buildings

iv) Defensive Driving

v) General Paper (covers healthy living, highway code, and simple vehicle maintenance)

16.

Does your company provide sponsorship for the TDVL course?

Yes. Terms and conditions apply. Please apply personally at the SMRT Taxis Customer Service Centre. The address is:

60 Woodlands Industrial Park E4

Singapore 757705

You may call 6369 0111 for more information.

17.

Do I start e-learning right after registering for the course?

No. You need to attend an orientation before you start e-learning. Upon successful registration for the course, an email with details of the orientation will be sent to you within 3 working days before the orientation date chosen by you.

18.

How do I book a date for excursion?

i) Upon completion of the e-learning course, you will need to click the ‘Book Excursion’ button on-screen to book a date for the excursion.

ii) Follow on-screen instructions to book your excursion date.

iii) After you have successfully completed your booking, an email confirmation with the necessary details will be sent to you within 3 working days before the excursion date chosen by you.

19.

What if I do not attend the excursion?

Please note that the excursion is compulsory. You will not be allowed to take the test without going for the excursion.

20.

What is the age limit for taxi drivers?

The age limit is 73 years, subject to passing the medical examination required by LTA. Taxi drivers aged 70 and below 73 have to go for the ‘Therapy Assessment for Elderly Taxi Drivers’ test. This test is also known as the ‘special test’.

21.

When was the age limit for taxi drivers raised from 70 to 73 years?

1 July 2006.

22.

Are taxi drivers approaching the age of 70 years old required to undergo any tests to continue to drive a taxi?

Yes. They have to take the ‘Therapy Assessment for Elderly Taxi Drivers’ test which assesses their fitness. This test is known as the ‘special test’ and is taken in addition to the annual medical examination.

23.

What does this special test cover?

This test is conducted by qualified occupational therapists. It consists of off-road and on-road tests, which includes tests on reaction times, vision, cognitive abilities, physical control of vehicle, etc.

24.

Where can I go for this special test?

You may go to:

i) Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). At TTSH, this test is known the “Driving Assessment and Rehabilitation Program” or DARP in short. Please call 6357 8339 / 6357 8338 for an appointment.

ii) Nanyang Polytechnic, Occupational Therapy Driving Clinic (SHS-OTDRC), School of Health Sciences Block K, Level 3, Room 307, 180 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8. Please call 6550 1300 for an appointment.

25.

How much does this special test cost?

Approximately S$150. Please note that prices are subject to change. It is best to call TTSH or Nanyang Polytechnic to enquire.

26.

I have done my annual medical examination. Do I still need to go for the special test?

Yes, if you are 70 years and above.

27.

I do not hold a TDVL and I am 70 years of age. Can I apply for a TDVL now? What is the cut off age for TDVL application?

Yes. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may apply for a TDVL. However, please note that you will need to attend the TDVL course, which takes about 2 months, and pass a test at the end of this course before you obtain your TDVL. There are also costs involved. You will need to cover the cost of your medical and chest X-ray examinations, the special test on fitness to drive, as well as the TDVL application fee to LTA.

28.

I am 69 years old and wish to apply for the TDVL. Are there special requirements to fulfill?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may apply for the TDVL. You are required to undergo a medical and chest X-ray before taking the TDVL course and must pass the TDVL test at the end of the course. However, upon reaching 70 years of age, you are required to undergo the annual medical examination and the special test. You must pass both the medical examination and special test before you are allowed to renew your TDVL.

29.

How long will the TDVL be valid?

· 3 years from date of issue, or until you reach 70 years of age.

· If you are aged 67 and below 70 years, you may renew your TDVL up to age 70. At 70, you are required to undergo the medical examination and the special test (see Q22). If you pass both these tests, you may renew your licence till 73 years of age.

· Please note that you are required to undergo compulsory medical examinations during your TDVL validity period (please refer to Q11).

30.

How much does renewal of the TDVL cost?

In general, the TDVL is valid for 3 years and the cost of renewal is $40. However, if you are aged 67 and below 70 years you can only renew your TDVL up to age 70, and the pro-rated renewal fee is as follows:

Validity	Fee
Up to 1 year	S$15
More than 1 year, up to 2 years	S$30
More than 2 years, up to 3 years	S$40

31.

I surrendered my TDVL before I turned 70 years old. Can I renew the TDVL now?

Yes, you may. Please note that all taxi drivers aged 70 and below 73 years are required to pass the medical examination and special test. In addition:

· You will need to attend the taxi refresher course if you last attended the taxi refresher’s course more than 6 months but less than 6 years ago.

· You will need to attend the full TDVL course and pass the tests if your last refresher course was taken more than 6 years ago.

Upon meeting these requirements, you will be issued the TDVL and may renew it up to 73 years of age.

32.

I am 70 years old now. Am I required to attend the refresher course if it is due before I can renew my licence?

Yes. The refresher course is due every 6 years. TDVL holders aged 70 and below 73 years will have to attend the refresher course if it is due before their TDVL can be renewed.

33.

I am now 69 years old. If I renew this year, my TDVL will expire in 3 years’ time, i.e. at 72 years old. Can I still renew it?

You may renew the licence for the period till you reach 70 years old. The renewal fee will be pro-rated accordingly. About 6 months before you reach 70 years of age, LTA will send you a letter together with an assessment form requesting you to go for a medical examination and the special test. If you pass the medical examination and the special test, you may renew the TDVL up to 73 years of age.

34.

If I withdraw from the TDVL course, will I receive a full refund of course fee paid?

If notice of withdrawal is given in writing more than 7 working days before the course orientation, 100% refund of course fee will be made. Otherwise, there will be no refund of course fee paid. There will be no refund of course fees once you have started on the course.

35.

I called SMRT Taxis many times but could not get through. What is the direct telephone number to call the person-in-charge?

You can call People Development Section at 6369 0111. Alternatively, you may visit SMRT Taxis office in Woodlands. The address is:

60 Woodlands Industrial Park E4

Singapore 757705

36.

What is the rental rate for a taxi?

Rental fees differ according to the types of taxis. Please call 6369 0111 for more information.

37.

What if I fail the test(s) in the TDVL course?

You may retake the papers you did not pass. There is no restriction on the number of retests you can take, but you have to pass all tests within one year from the date of LTA’s letter of approval, or within six months from your first TDVL test date, whichever is earlier.

38.

How much do I have to pay for retests?

You have to pay a registration fee of S$10.00 plus S$5.00 for each paper.

39.

When will I know the test result?

You will need to take the test or retest by e-testing and the results will be made known to you on-the-spot. However, the official results would be announced by STA within three weeks after the test or retest.

40.

Who will inform me of the test or retest result?

SMRT Taxis will contact you on your result and send to you a retest notification where appropriate.

41.

How many retests can I take for each subject?

There is no restriction on the number of retests you can take, but you have to pass all tests within one year from the date of LTA’s letter of approval, or within six months from your first TDVL test date, whichever is earlier.

42.

When is the retest?

You will be prompted by the online e-learning system under ‘Check Result’ to choose a date for your retest.

43.

What language are the test papers in?

They are all in English. However, the following papers are in both English and Chinese:

· Rules and Regulations

· Defensive Driving

· General Paper

44.

If I am a bankrupt, can I apply to do the TDVL course?

Yes. Your application will be handled like any other application.