Driving centres in Singapore raise learner fees

Taking lessons to seek a driving licence has become more expensive, with the three driving centres in Singapore raising fees from Jan 1.

- Lee Nian Tjoe Senior Transport Correspondent

At Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC) in Woodlands, the cost for mandated simulator training has risen by 25.2 per cent, from $24.38 to $30.52 per session.

Theory lessons saw a 23.1 per cent cost spike, from $17.71 per 100-minute session in 2025 to $21.80 in 2026.

At Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC), a 100-minute practical driving lesson during peak time slots, such as 7.20pm to 9pm on weekdays, now costs $86.11, a 6.8 per cent hike from the previous $80.66.

The price for a peak-period practical driving lesson at ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (CDC) in Ubi has gone up by 9.3 per cent, from $81.75 to $89.38 per session. Peak periods at CDC are from 10.20am to noon and 4.25pm to 10.20pm on weekdays, and all time slots on Saturdays and Sundays.

A CDC spokesperson told The Straits Times that the rate for practical lessons was last updated in April 2024.

There are two types of driving licences for vehicles weighing not more than 3,000kg. Class 3 licence holders can operate all motor cars under this weight limit, and Class 3A holders are restricted to automatic vehicles, which do not have a clutch pedal.

The majority of candidates for these two driving licences enrol in the driving centres, rather than use private instructors.

Between November 2024 and October 2025, there were 20,124 candidates who took their Class 3 driving test for the first time, with 62.6 per cent being learners from the three driving centres. In the same period, there were 25,981 first-time candidates for the Class 3A driving test, with 60.9 per cent taking classes at the driving centres.