Too easy for foreigners to drive in Singapore?
The following article was published in the Straits Times on 24 June 2010.
Too easy for foreigners to drive in Singapore?
By Daryl Chin & Jalelah Abu Baker
Straits Times, Jun 24, 2010
FOREIGN nationals who want to drive a motorcycle or car in Singapore need only have a valid licence from their home country, be above 18 years of age and pass a written test.
They can then convert their licence to a Singapore one.
But there is a caveat for work permit holders - their companies need to apply to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in order for them to be designated drivers. They also need to be from certain sectors, such as the service sector and manufacturing, before they are able to sit for the theory test.
Even then, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, believes the time has come for change: 'A simple written test might not be enough to ensure they know how to drive on Singapore's roads.'
Two days ago, three Chinese nationals were killed when the lorry in which they were travelling skidded and tipped over just off the Pan-Island Expressway. It was a Class3 vehicle and the driver is believed to be a Chinese national.
The system of issuing driving licences is more stringent in neighbouring Malaysia, which restricts licence conversion to certain nationalities.Under the Malaysia My Second Home programme, only foreigners from 154 countries are allowed to convert their licences. Those not from those countries go through five phases of driving theory and practice before being allowed to drive there.
In Australia, the list of recognised countries exempted from both theory and practical tests, shrinks to just 27.
Some employers here agree that the time has come to be more strict.
Mr Mariyappan Palanichamy, the director of a landscaping construction company here whose drivers are legally hired foreign workers, said that sometimes, foreign workers' licences can be questionable due to bribing practices in their home countries.
'It is not easy to get a foreign worker driver and Singaporeans do not want this 365-day job which has long hours, so many companies end up allowing their foreign workers to drive illegally,' he said.
Employers who illegally deploy or employ foreign workers outside their defined job scope can be fined up to $15,000 and/or jailed up to 12 months. They can also be barred from hiring new workers or renewing the permits of existing ones.
In the first half of last year, MOM charged 24 companies for making their workers drive against the law. Also, 26 foreign construction and marine workers were caught for being illegal drivers.
The system is more stringent for those who wish to drive Class4 (2,501kg to 7,250kg) and Class5 (7,251kg and above) vehicles. Drivers need to be at least 21 years old and have to undergo both theory and practical tests.
Straits Times readers have written in expressing concern after witnessing passenger-laden lorries speeding on expressways. 'However late the workers are, or whatever the circumstances, speeding with such a heavy load at the back is always deadly,' wrote Mr Stewart Sanjay.
Expressing the same concern, Dr Lim said the authorities, 'need to review the speed limits of these vehicles... and tighten up the requirements for all drivers who ferry workers to and fro.'
Too easy for foreigners to drive in Singapore?
By Daryl Chin & Jalelah Abu Baker
Straits Times, Jun 24, 2010
FOREIGN nationals who want to drive a motorcycle or car in Singapore need only have a valid licence from their home country, be above 18 years of age and pass a written test.
They can then convert their licence to a Singapore one.
But there is a caveat for work permit holders - their companies need to apply to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in order for them to be designated drivers. They also need to be from certain sectors, such as the service sector and manufacturing, before they are able to sit for the theory test.
Even then, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, believes the time has come for change: 'A simple written test might not be enough to ensure they know how to drive on Singapore's roads.'
Two days ago, three Chinese nationals were killed when the lorry in which they were travelling skidded and tipped over just off the Pan-Island Expressway. It was a Class3 vehicle and the driver is believed to be a Chinese national.
The system of issuing driving licences is more stringent in neighbouring Malaysia, which restricts licence conversion to certain nationalities.Under the Malaysia My Second Home programme, only foreigners from 154 countries are allowed to convert their licences. Those not from those countries go through five phases of driving theory and practice before being allowed to drive there.
In Australia, the list of recognised countries exempted from both theory and practical tests, shrinks to just 27.
Some employers here agree that the time has come to be more strict.
Mr Mariyappan Palanichamy, the director of a landscaping construction company here whose drivers are legally hired foreign workers, said that sometimes, foreign workers' licences can be questionable due to bribing practices in their home countries.
'It is not easy to get a foreign worker driver and Singaporeans do not want this 365-day job which has long hours, so many companies end up allowing their foreign workers to drive illegally,' he said.
Employers who illegally deploy or employ foreign workers outside their defined job scope can be fined up to $15,000 and/or jailed up to 12 months. They can also be barred from hiring new workers or renewing the permits of existing ones.
In the first half of last year, MOM charged 24 companies for making their workers drive against the law. Also, 26 foreign construction and marine workers were caught for being illegal drivers.
The system is more stringent for those who wish to drive Class4 (2,501kg to 7,250kg) and Class5 (7,251kg and above) vehicles. Drivers need to be at least 21 years old and have to undergo both theory and practical tests.
Straits Times readers have written in expressing concern after witnessing passenger-laden lorries speeding on expressways. 'However late the workers are, or whatever the circumstances, speeding with such a heavy load at the back is always deadly,' wrote Mr Stewart Sanjay.
Expressing the same concern, Dr Lim said the authorities, 'need to review the speed limits of these vehicles... and tighten up the requirements for all drivers who ferry workers to and fro.'
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