Driving
I passed my Driving Test
20:00After taking x number of driving tests, I finally pass it! Congratulation to myself hehehehe. I took around 6-7 months and spent more than $3.5k for everything.
Definitely not an easy chore, require multiple of multi-tasking: Legs are juggling between clutch, accelerator and brake; hands holding on steering wheels, changing gear and turning on and off the signals; eyes on road, rear mirror and blind spot. Not only that, you have to be 100% alert at all times - Careful of those fellow drivers, motorists, cyclists and teeny weeny humans and animals on the road. No more playing hair, replying messages, short nap on the car, etc. Starting to worry about insufficient amount in the cash card before driving through ERP, ever rising COE, parking fee and petrol why did even I learnt driving?
Nevertheless driving is a life skill that is good to have. So if you are ready to take up this challenge, you have to read on. (Warning: It will be long) Just sharing with you my experience as a private learner and some knowledge about school learner. They are just advice, the decision is still yours.
SHOULD I TAKE SCHOOL OR PRIVATE?
You have to make up your decision before you start as it will affect everything. Both have their pros and cons. I will be nice to sum up as much information as I can, so you, my friend can make a best choice.
Your first driving commitment: Registration fee. There will be a registration fee for school and different schools have different charges. There are 3 driving schools for you to choose: Comfort Delgro Driving Centre at Kampong Ubi, Singapore Safety Driving Centre at Admiralty and Bukit Batok Driving Centre at Bukit Batok. I also listed the respective registration fee below.
Moving on. Lesson charges. Prices are different during peak and non-peak period. Non peak period is usually from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:15pm and peak period is Monday to Friday, 4:25pm to 10:20pm & Saturday and Sunday 8:30am to 6:05pm. As for BBDC, you can refer to here under Training Session for their peak and non peak schedule.
There is additional charge of $30 whenever you practice in circuit - This is school charging private learners for using the circuit.
Another good thing about private is you have the same instructor for all your lessons unlike school, instructor changes every lesson. You can choose to take lesson with same instructor in school with additional costs. In my opinion, private instructors are more skillful after all they have been teaching for the past decades (they know a lot of tips), however school instructors are more aware of the traffic rules (easier to pass).
Driving schools follow a fixed syllabus, and sometimes you have to take a minimum number of lessons before you can book your driving test. As for Private learners, as long as your instructor think you are good go for it, he will book driving test for you.
Last fee: Traffic Police Driving Test inclusive of test vehicle and warming up test. Don't forget to add in another $26 for Traffic Police Test Fee
WHAT ARE OTHER FEES REQUIRED?
Before you can start your practical lessons, you have to pass your Basic Theory Test (BTT) which costs $6.50. Don't forget to purchase your theory books (New Highway Code Book 1 & Book 2) from them or any Book Store at $4.90 each. Before you can book a date for your driving test, you will need to pass your Final Theory Test (FTT), also costs $6.50. Schools prepare you to ace in your BTT and FTT by providing e-learning lessons and trial tests, which mean extra cost to pay. Please research on this on yourself. For private learners please you study on your own.
Also, you have to pay $25 for Provisional Driving License (PDL) so you are legal to drive during driving lesson. This $25 only lasts for 6 months.
As for me, I take my BTT and FTT at SSDC then I went over to CDC for Practical. I have to pay $10.70 to open an private account with CDC. Please take note there is convenience fee ($0.90 for CDC, $0.70 for SSDC, not sure for BBDC) whenever you do a transaction online.
The last $50 which you are most willing to pay is your license card.
WHAT IS WHOLE PROCESS BE LIKE?
Once you make your decision to be a school learner, you have to go down to the respective school to open an account. If you decided to be a private candidate, you can go down to any school to register as private candidate for your BTT and FTT.
After passing your BTT, apply PDL and you can start driving lessons. While going for practical lessons, don't forget to schedule your FTT. You need to score at least 45/50 in order to pass your BTT and FTT.
When you are done with your FTT, continue to go for driving lessons and be ready for the major test: Traffic Police Driving Test
MY ADVICE?
If time can turn back, I will take more lessons before going for test. One test is a cost of 2 - 4 lessons. So don't waste your money on taking test, take more lessons, then do it well for the first time. You gonna save a lot.
Don't be upset if you didn't pass on the first time. It does not solely based on your skill, your luck as well. Tbh some testers are quite f*cked up. Pray hard you will get a good tester.
Another thing is I will not choose to take my lessons and tests in CDC. I personally think it is harder to pass as the area has lots of vehicles.
Before I end this post, here is my private instructor's contact number: Mr Toh [9618 5982]. You can leave him a message in chinese and he will call you when he is free. Please take note he only teaches in Ubi area. Let him know you are my friend. Nah no discount for you, no commission for me too.
Here is another article which is useful. So start your calculation, do more research on your own and make the best out of it. Jiayous my fellow friends.
Definitely not an easy chore, require multiple of multi-tasking: Legs are juggling between clutch, accelerator and brake; hands holding on steering wheels, changing gear and turning on and off the signals; eyes on road, rear mirror and blind spot. Not only that, you have to be 100% alert at all times - Careful of those fellow drivers, motorists, cyclists and teeny weeny humans and animals on the road. No more playing hair, replying messages, short nap on the car, etc. Starting to worry about insufficient amount in the cash card before driving through ERP, ever rising COE, parking fee and petrol why did even I learnt driving?
Nevertheless driving is a life skill that is good to have. So if you are ready to take up this challenge, you have to read on. (Warning: It will be long) Just sharing with you my experience as a private learner and some knowledge about school learner. They are just advice, the decision is still yours.
You have to make up your decision before you start as it will affect everything. Both have their pros and cons. I will be nice to sum up as much information as I can, so you, my friend can make a best choice.
Your first driving commitment: Registration fee. There will be a registration fee for school and different schools have different charges. There are 3 driving schools for you to choose: Comfort Delgro Driving Centre at Kampong Ubi, Singapore Safety Driving Centre at Admiralty and Bukit Batok Driving Centre at Bukit Batok. I also listed the respective registration fee below.
Moving on. Lesson charges. Prices are different during peak and non-peak period. Non peak period is usually from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:15pm and peak period is Monday to Friday, 4:25pm to 10:20pm & Saturday and Sunday 8:30am to 6:05pm. As for BBDC, you can refer to here under Training Session for their peak and non peak schedule.
There is additional charge of $30 whenever you practice in circuit - This is school charging private learners for using the circuit.
Another good thing about private is you have the same instructor for all your lessons unlike school, instructor changes every lesson. You can choose to take lesson with same instructor in school with additional costs. In my opinion, private instructors are more skillful after all they have been teaching for the past decades (they know a lot of tips), however school instructors are more aware of the traffic rules (easier to pass).
Driving schools follow a fixed syllabus, and sometimes you have to take a minimum number of lessons before you can book your driving test. As for Private learners, as long as your instructor think you are good go for it, he will book driving test for you.
Last fee: Traffic Police Driving Test inclusive of test vehicle and warming up test. Don't forget to add in another $26 for Traffic Police Test Fee
Before you can start your practical lessons, you have to pass your Basic Theory Test (BTT) which costs $6.50. Don't forget to purchase your theory books (New Highway Code Book 1 & Book 2) from them or any Book Store at $4.90 each. Before you can book a date for your driving test, you will need to pass your Final Theory Test (FTT), also costs $6.50. Schools prepare you to ace in your BTT and FTT by providing e-learning lessons and trial tests, which mean extra cost to pay. Please research on this on yourself. For private learners please you study on your own.
Also, you have to pay $25 for Provisional Driving License (PDL) so you are legal to drive during driving lesson. This $25 only lasts for 6 months.
As for me, I take my BTT and FTT at SSDC then I went over to CDC for Practical. I have to pay $10.70 to open an private account with CDC. Please take note there is convenience fee ($0.90 for CDC, $0.70 for SSDC, not sure for BBDC) whenever you do a transaction online.
The last $50 which you are most willing to pay is your license card.
Once you make your decision to be a school learner, you have to go down to the respective school to open an account. If you decided to be a private candidate, you can go down to any school to register as private candidate for your BTT and FTT.
After passing your BTT, apply PDL and you can start driving lessons. While going for practical lessons, don't forget to schedule your FTT. You need to score at least 45/50 in order to pass your BTT and FTT.
When you are done with your FTT, continue to go for driving lessons and be ready for the major test: Traffic Police Driving Test
If time can turn back, I will take more lessons before going for test. One test is a cost of 2 - 4 lessons. So don't waste your money on taking test, take more lessons, then do it well for the first time. You gonna save a lot.
Don't be upset if you didn't pass on the first time. It does not solely based on your skill, your luck as well. Tbh some testers are quite f*cked up. Pray hard you will get a good tester.
Another thing is I will not choose to take my lessons and tests in CDC. I personally think it is harder to pass as the area has lots of vehicles.
Before I end this post, here is my private instructor's contact number: Mr Toh [9618 5982]. You can leave him a message in chinese and he will call you when he is free. Please take note he only teaches in Ubi area. Let him know you are my friend. Nah no discount for you, no commission for me too.
Here is another article which is useful. So start your calculation, do more research on your own and make the best out of it. Jiayous my fellow friends.
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