Since my first year, I've been driving in Singapore with a valid Singapore Driving License. This license was converted from my Philippine to a Singapore license, which is also known as the Driving License Conversion. I had explain this in details at one of my post here.
My brother in law in Toronto advised me to get a certificate from the Philippine Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Singapore Traffic Police to prove that I can drive a vehicle in Toronto, Canada.
In doing so, I can challenge the G2 test driving immediately so I can drive alone in Canada. For this test, I won't be able to explain it further. I'll update you on this as soon as I arrive in Toronto.
My Driving Experience
Driving both in Philippines and Singapore is confusing. You know why?In Singapore, the lane is at the left side, where you will be holding the steering wheel at the right side of the car and the gear is at the middle, it's a right-hand drive.
In Philippines it's the opposite, a left-hand drive, but the gear is still at the middle with the same gear orientation as with the right-hand drive.
Watch my YouTube Channel to have a better view on driving in Singapore.
Working and driving in Singapore everyday will get me used to driving in left lanes. The problem is when I go back on vacation to Philippines, the lanes are at the opposite.
The first time I went home from Singapore to Philippines was so scary. I had to close my eyes before driving and imagine my previous Philippine driving skills on changing lanes specially at the intersections.
That was a dilemma for quite sometime, but now, I had adjusted my brain by installing a switch at the back of my head, one for Philippines and the other is for the Singapore driving mode..:D
In Canada, I have to drive at the right lanes, just like in Philippines. There will be little adjustment necessary. But I need to know the new set of road signs.
In this post, I will tell you my experience in getting a copy of the Driving Certificate in Singapore Traffic Police. I'll just make a separate post for the Philippines LTO.
My Experience in Getting a Driving Certificate in Singapore
Since I got my license at the Bukit Batok Driving Center, few years ago, I assumed that I can get a copy of the driving certificate there.I went in the main entrance door and headed to the information center. The lady at the desk was friendly enough to accommodate my queries but instructed me to take the stairs up to the second floor.
At the second floor, the queue were not fully occupied, got the number and took a seat. For about a few minutes, the queue screen displayed my number so I went to the counter to inquire. I was then advised to visit the Singapore Traffic Police at Ubi Avenue because they are not allowed to issue the certificate.
She gave me a piece of paper, written with the address and contact number of the center. Here it is...
Traffic Police HQ
#10 Ubi Avenue 3
Singapore 408865
General Inquiries: 6547 0000 Ext. 0
The next day, I went at the above address and parked at block 180. Private vehicles, unless authorized, can not park inside the Traffic Police Headquarters.
It was not my first time visiting this place as I usually eat at their Cafeteria. The food, for me, is one of the best in Singapore in a food-court category, the first stall in particular. The taste of their food is superb, just like eating in a restaurant but the price is the same as the Hawker centers.
Anyway, enough for the food, as you enter the main building, you have to get a queuing number at the reception. Then proceed to the counters at the right. There are plenty of chairs there waiting for you.
I was assigned at the counter #2. The counter desk officer was very accommodating and knowledgeable. That moment, I found out that the document is not termed as Driving Certificate but it's an "Extract of Driving License Records".
He gave me a form, filled it up with my particulars and submitted it to him again. He instructed me to wait for the cashier for the payment process.
Around 5 minutes, a lady was calling my name, the cashier. She informed me to pay SGD10.00 for the certificate. Then, she immediately printed out the License Records in a 1 whole sheet of A4-sized paper and handed me a small envelope printed with the Singapore Traffic Police logo.
This is another additional expense for my immigration journey. Read my FSW expenses here.
How to Go To Singapore Traffic Police Headquarter?
If you are not driving to the Traffic Police Headquarter, you can opt to take the bus. Here are the list of bus services for you to choose. Don't worry if you get lost, just look at the building with Singapore Traffic Police Sign.
Bus Services No.
8, 22, 24, 70, 76, 84, 152, 158, 864, 641
Whether you're driving or commuting, you can refer to this map for your convenience.
__________________________________
If you have any questions regarding this post, you can leave a comment below or email me at benalagnam@yahoo.com.