Singapore 🇸🇬
The Motorist Guide to getting an International Driving Permit (IDP)
Your Singapore driving license won't cut it (unless you intend to drive in neighbouring countries like Malaysia 🇲🇾 and Thailand 🇹🇠), and you'll have to acquire a special permit in order to drive in a foreign land.
But fear not, as acquiring said permit is quick and easy, and with just a few simple steps, you'll soon be able to enjoy the spirit of driving thousands of kilometres away from home.
What is this permit exactly?
Before we go through the steps, let's find out what this permit is all about!
Often referred to as an international driving licence, an International Driving Permit (IDP) effectively serves as a bridge between you and foreign authorities and/or car rental companies if you plan on driving overseas. It also helps that it's the only official legal document sanctioned by the United Nations (UN) Convention on Road Traffic.
Equipped with various translations of driving terms, it informs the parties of your licence details, and also the class types that you have acquired; useful for when you're visiting non-English speaking countries.
According to the Automobile Association of Singapore (AA Singapore), it will come in handy whenever you want to rent a car, need to file motor insurance claims, get into a traffic accident or violate local traffic laws, or if the authorities need to verify the driver's identity with photo verification.
Do note that the IDP is not valid in China, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. And if you are planning to drive in Sri Lanka, you're required to visit the AA Ceylon or Department of Motor Transport with your Singapore driving license and IDP in order to get a temporary driving license, which is payable.
The IDP has a one-year validity from the date of issue, and is non-renewable. In other words, you'll have to apply for a new permit once the current one expires.
Where do I go to apply for one, and what should I bring?
Getting an IDP can be done in one of two ways: by going to the AA office or by logging in to their online portal. Applying in-person can be done at any one of the three AAS branches in Singapore. You simply need to bring along the following:
1. Your NRIC
2. Your Singapore driving licence
There, staff members will take a headshot of you free of charge. However, if you are applying on behalf of someone else, the above-mentioned items plus the applicant’s passport-sized photo are required. All in all, it costs S$20.
Getting the permit itself takes less than an hour to complete (up to two hours during peak periods), although our experience earlier this year 2024 was much better, with the application taking just under 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can apply online here.
For online IDP applications, processing and delivery will take 10 working days.
For urgent IDP applications, please do not apply online.
Refunds will not be issued for duplicate applications.
Instead, you are advised to apply directly at any of the AA outlets for immediate collection.
2 Kung Chong Road
#04-01, AA Centre
Singapore 159140
(Walk 7 mins from Redhill MRT)
Mon to Fri: 9.00am to 6.45pm;
Sat & Sun: 9.00am to 5.45pm;
Public Holiday: Closed
535 Kallang Bahru
#01-08, GB Point
Singapore 339351
(Opp Geylang Bahru MRT station, exit A)
Mon to Sun: 11.00am to 7.30pm
4190 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6
#03-03, Broadway Plaza
Singapore 569841
(6 mins walk from Ang Mo Kio MRT, exit B)
Mon to Sun: 11.00am to 7.30pm
You will need to upload the following:
1. A copy of your NRIC (front and back) if you are Singaporean/Singapore Permanent Resident
2. A copy of your Singapore driving license (front and back)
3. A copy of your employment pass/FIN card (front and back) if you are a foreigner
4. A clear coloured passport-sized photograph of yourself/IDP applicant with a plain, light background
Do note that for the submitted photograph, it must be sharp and taken within the last two years, and the full face has to be visible. Images with watermarks will be rejected, which includes photos on passports, NRICs, and driving license cards.
Applying online takes a considerably longer time (estimated processing time is 10 days excluding the date of submission) and you incur an additional $5.50 charge in courier fees on top of the S$20, so if you require one urgently without extra charges, it's best to drop by an AAS office in-person.
AAS IDP
International Driving Permit
ONLINE APPLICATION
STEP:
1 Personal Information
2 Confirmation
3 Payment
STEP 1
Personal Information
A. APPLICANT'S PARTICULARS
NRIC/FIN number *
(Enter NRIC/FIN number)
Please enter NRIC/FIN number.
Singapore driving licence *
(Enter Singapore driver licence)
Please enter Singapore driver licence.
Full name as shown on driving licence *
(Enter Full name as shown on driving licence)
Please enter your full name.
Surname *
[Enter Surname]
Given Name *
[Enter Given Name]
EXAMPLE
Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY) *
[Enter Date Of Birth]
Please enter your birthday.
Place of Birth *
Singapore
Mobile Number *
[Enter mobile number]
Please enter a valid 8-digit phone number without spaces or symbols.
Email address *
[ Enter email address ]
Please enter your email.
Registered Address
Postal Code *
[ Enter postal code ]
Please enter a valid 6-digit postal code without spaces or symbols.
Address *
e.g. [ 220 Pasir Ris Drive ]
Please enter your address.
Unit Number *
e.g. [#12-30]
Please enter your unit number.
Visiting country *
[Select a country]
Please select your country.
For multi-city or multi-country trip, kindly indicate the first country you will visit.
Driving licence class *
Class 2
Class 2A
Class 2B
Class 3
Class 3A
Class 3C
Class 3CA
Class 4
Class 4A
Class 4B
Class 5
Please select at least one driving licence class.
Passport-sized photograph *
Please upload your Passport-sized photograph.
[ No file chosen ]
Important
To avoid the delay or rejection of your application, please submit your passport photo with the following guidelines:
- Photo size: 400 x 514 pixel
- Background colour: White
- Photo taken not more than 6 months
- Photo upload in the vertical direction
B. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS
Important
To avoid the delay or rejection of your application, please submit your additional documents with the following guidelines
- Minimum photo dimension is 800 x 600 pixels.
- Photo lighting should not have any reflection that your details cannot be read.
- Any screenshot taken from singpass is not accepted.
SINGAPORE DRIVING LICENCE
SINGAPORE DRIVING LICENCE EXAMPLE
Singapore driving licence - front
Singapore driving licence - back
Singapore Driving Licence - Front *
Please upload your Singapore Driving Licence - Front.
No file chosen
Singapore Driving Licence - Back *
Please upload your Singapore Driving Licence - Back.
No file chosen
NRIC/WORK PERMIT
NRIC EXAMPLE
NRIC - front
NRIC - back
WORK PERMIT EXAMPLE
Work Permit - front
Work Permit - back
NRIC/Work Permit - Front *
Please upload your NRIC/Work Permit - Front.
No file chosen
NRIC/Work Permit - Back *
Please upload your NRIC/Work Permit - Back.
No file chosen
PASSPORT (FOR FOREIGNERS)
PASSPORT EXAMPLE
Passport (For Foreigners)
No file chosen
C. DELIVERY
DELIVERY
- Delivery via courier service within 10 working days. An additional $7.00 will be added to your cart prior to checkout for courier service.
- Delivery may take longer during festive periods.
- Delivery is not applicable for overseas addresses.
Please ensure your mobile number indicated is accurate. In the event of a failed delivery, a sms notification will be sent to the recipient to arrange for a re-delivery.
- Undelivered mail will be returned to AA Singapore after 5 working days from the attempted delivery date.
Delivery to:
Use registered address as stated above
Use different address
Postal Code
Enter postal code
Please enter a valid 6-digit postal code without spaces or symbols.
Address
e.g. 220 Pasir Ris Drive
Unit Number
e.g. #12-30
Please confirm.
I have read and agree to the
Privacy Policy
.
Please confirm.
I confirm that the above information is true and accurate.
I have a valid Singapore driving licence which is not suspended.
I have read and agree to the Conditions of Issue and important reminders.
I am holding a least 2 months valid residency pass at the point of application. The IDP will cease to be valid if my residency pass is not renewed.
I authorise and give consent to AA, its subsidiaries and partners to communicate with me in respect to its membership services, including benefits and promotions, insurance, campaigns, promotions, activities and events via post, email, SMS text messaging and/or telephone. I reserve the right to
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