Ever since I returned back from South Africa, I had one thing in my mind. Get Singapore driving license for its instant recognition worldwide. This post doesn’t teach you on how to convert your foreign license to Singapore driving license. This is the long path that I took to obtain this. It could have been faster IF IF IF, I researched the procedure well and be a bit more active. Reminds me the famous quote from the dashing cricket player Sidhu, ''If ifs and buts were pots and pans, there would have been no tinkers''
January 2012:
With my lazy googling, I found that my first step is to register myself for a BTT (Basic Theory Test). I also found that there is a Traffic Police office (Branch) in Ang Mo Kio which is quiet close to my place. I believed that I can do this registration and went there on a Saturday morning only to know that I have to go personally to any of the following driving centers to register and get an appointment.
• Woodlands Driving Test Centre, level 1, co-located with the Singapore Safety Driving Centre ( http://www.ssdcl.com.sg/ ) at 2, Woodlands Industrial Park E4 Singapore 757387.
• Bukit Batok Driving Test Centre, level 2, co-located with the Bukit Batok Driving Centre (http://www.bbdc.sg ) at 815 Bukit Batok West Ave 5 Singapore 659085.
• Kampong Ubi Test Centre, level 2, co-located with ComfortDelgro Driving Centre (http://www.cdc.com.sg) at 205, Ubi Ave 4 Singapore 408805.
The worst part is that I have to go either weekdays or Saturday before 12 PM. The time is 11 already and I have no choice but to wait for next Saturday.
The following Saturday:
I reached Woodlands Driving Test Centre (you have to take a shuttle bus from Marsling MRT) right away in the morning and managed to register for BTT. Also, bought a theory book on Singapore Traffic rules and driving guidelines for 5 SGD. The appointment was given 2 Months later from that point on a Wednesday at 8 PM. I sincerely studied the book for next 30 mins while I am on bus and totally forgot this. Luckily I marked the date as reminder in my outlook.
2 Months Later:
I saw my outlook that I got a test to attend the same evening. I haven’t read that book at all. I was a bit worried that I might fail. I left the office on same evening with worried face. I was at my best speed reading the book all the way in the train. It was altogether 1.5 hours journey from Tanjong pagar to Woodlands driving center. I used the time quiet well and I started memorizing a lot in typical Madras university exams preparation style. I reached on time. The test was for 40 minutes or so. There will be 50 objective type questions and you have to get 45 correct. The challenge is not with the questions being tough. Its with questions being too easy that will make you to give less attention. I finished them in 20 minutes and yuhooo !!! 49/50. I was so happy seeing result ever since I saw my university results. The movie is not over yet. I was told to visit any of the Driving Centers during office hours or Saturday mornings to submit conversion license form. I was really excited. Later, I have to walk 2 Kilometers to get back to MRT (as the shuttle bus arrives only 30 minutes later and I was damn hungry) then travelled another 1 hour or so to reach my temporary accommodation in Queenstown.
2 Weeks Later:
On another Saturday morning, I went to Comfort Delgro Driving Center in Ubi Avenue as It was a easy access from queenstown for license application. I took a copy of all my documents (Passport, Indian Driving License, PR card, BTT result) I took the queue ticket, waited for an hour and was told that I have to bring the original copy of my Re Entry Permit that was issued along with PR. I never used this permit ever since I received it. It was not mentioned in the required documents list as well. I was totally frustrated. I have no choice but to go back home. I can not return the same day as the office is only till 12 PM. Darn !!!
2 Weeks Later:
Yet another Saturday morning. I went again with all required documents. Waited for an hour and finally the officer accepted all documents and returned the original form to me. I was puzzled. She mentioned that I need to get License verification letter from Indian Embassy as a proof that the Indian license I submitted is genuine. Bloody hell !!! The Indian embassy process is even more complex. I thought Mustafa Center can do the trick and immediately rushed there to submit the request for verification letter. To my agony, Mustafa don’t do this service alone. I just returned home with pain.
2 Days Later:
I was googling for an easy way of getting this verification letter and found this VFS office located around 10 minutes walk from office. Yesss, I walked to the office during lunch and submitted the form with relevant photocopies. When I enquired on how long it will take, she mentioned that the normal come back time is around 1 month and sometimes go more than that. Ayyylaamaaa !!! Its all uncertainties. That time one of my friend told that you may not get the letter at all for ages as it happened to his wife. I was worried, not that I may not get license but I thought all my efforts so far goes for a toss.
2 Months later:
After numerous follow ups, I got a call from VFS that I got the letter. When I asked if I can come right away and get the letter, she mentioned that I need to provide all the document copies and make payment first. I rightfully went and made the payment. She told me to come and collect the letter after 3 days. By this time, I was on my client site in Alexandra road. It was all pain commuting during office hours. I have to sacrifice my lunch times for all these. 3 Days later I got the letter and once again there was useless smile on my face.
1 Week later:
Saturday morning, reached the Ubi Avenue office to provide the letter, other documents and original form. As I said, the movie is not over yet. I was only shocked to know that I can submit this letter only during the weekdays as the system is locked on weekends to accept the final form. For once, I started swearing at this non-friendly Singapore procedure. No choice, I have to fight my way in the heavy rain to get back home. Did I mentioned that I shifted to Yew Tee home which is like 1.5 hour travel from the Driving Center.
2 Days later:
I made up my mind that I should get this damn license at any cost and hence left home like 7 AM to reach as the first person around 8.30 AM in driving center. Oh well… Finally… Finally… All went well. I submitted the form and got the temporary license. She mentioned that I will get the communication by post in a month’s time regarding my Permanent License card.
A month later:
Just the day before the registered post arrived, my family left to India. This means, there was a note left at my home stated that I have to go personally to collect the license card. Why… Why… When I just thought all was done. I have to google the post office location in Choa Chu Kang, reached there, waited in a long queue and Finally (Its really final now) the license card is in my hand. In total, it was an astonishing 8 months effort.
My Oscar of the year ;)
For one last time, I Smiled :)
