PDVL Vehicle Maintenance & Inspection 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to LTA requirements, how frequently must a private hire car that is 3 years old or older undergo mandatory vehicle inspection?
- Every 6 months
- Once a year (Correct answer)
- Every 2 years
- Every 3 years
Correct answer: Once a year
LTA requires private hire vehicles aged 3 years and above to undergo annual mandatory inspection at an authorised inspection centre.
Question 2: What is the minimum legal tyre tread depth for a private hire vehicle operating on Singapore roads?
- 0.8 mm
- 1.6 mm (Correct answer)
- 2.4 mm
- 3.2 mm
Correct answer: 1.6 mm
Singapore road regulations stipulate a minimum tyre tread depth of 1.6 mm for all motor vehicles, including private hire cars.
Question 3: When conducting a pre-trip vehicle check, which safety item should a PHC driver prioritise above all others?
- Verifying the in-car entertainment system works
- Ensuring lights, brakes, and tyres are in good working order (Correct answer)
- Confirming the vehicle has a full tank of fuel
- Checking that the air freshener is in place
Correct answer: Ensuring lights, brakes, and tyres are in good working order
Safety-critical systems — lights, brakes, and tyres — must always be verified before commencing a shift to protect passengers and other road users.
Question 4: Under Singapore's Certificate of Entitlement (COE) scheme, what is the maximum age a private hire car can reach before it must be deregistered?
- 8 years
- 10 years (Correct answer)
- 12 years
- 15 years
Correct answer: 10 years
All cars in Singapore, including private hire vehicles, must be deregistered at 10 years of age unless the owner renews the COE.
Question 5: The 'Check Engine' warning light illuminates on a PHC vehicle's dashboard while the car is in use. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
- Ignore it and continue normally
- Safely pull over when possible and assess the situation before continuing (Correct answer)
- Accelerate to reach the destination more quickly
- Turn off the engine immediately regardless of surrounding traffic
Correct answer: Safely pull over when possible and assess the situation before continuing
The 'Check Engine' light may signal a range of issues; the safe response is to pull over when it is safe to do so, assess whether the vehicle can continue, and arrange inspection promptly.
Question 6: What is the consequence of operating a private hire car with expired road tax in Singapore?
- A verbal warning from an LTA officer
- A fine and possible impoundment of the vehicle (Correct answer)
- Suspension of the PHC platform account only
- One demerit point on the driving licence
Correct answer: A fine and possible impoundment of the vehicle
Operating a vehicle with expired road tax is an offence under the Road Traffic Act and can result in fines and impoundment of the vehicle.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a PHC driver conducting a thorough pre-trip vehicle inspection before each shift?
- To satisfy insurance policy conditions
- To ensure the vehicle is safe for passengers and all other road users (Correct answer)
- To track mileage for accurate fare calculation
- To log inspection hours for LTA compliance records
Correct answer: To ensure the vehicle is safe for passengers and all other road users
Pre-trip inspections help identify mechanical defects before they become safety hazards, fulfilling the driver's duty of care to passengers and the public.
PDVL Vehicle Maintenance & Inspection 1
According to LTA requirements, how frequently must a private hire car that is 3 years old or older undergo mandatory vehicle inspection?