TDVL Exam at a Glance

Facts verified Oct 25, 2026 against Land Transport Authority (LTA), Singapore. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.

What the TDVL is and how it works

According to Land Transport Authority (LTA), Singapore, “TDVL training and testing: S$250 before GST (plus S$40 LTA application fee)”^[1]

The TDVL shows that you know how to drive a taxi safely, follow the rules and take passengers where they need to go. It is issued by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). The test has 3 papers:

• Paper A: safety and passenger handling
• Paper B: rules and regulations
• Paper C: routes and route planning

Who can apply: Singapore Citizens aged at least 30 at the time of application, who have held a Class 3/3A driving licence for more than 1 year and have basic English.

Cost: Training and testing cost S$250 before GST, plus an LTA application fee of S$40. LTA cut the training and testing cost from $275 to $250. Converting a PDVL to a TDVL now costs $132.50 before GST, down from $145.

Deadlines: After you get your approval letter, you must register for the training course within 4 months. You must finish the course and pass the test within 12 months of the letter's date.

Results and re-tests: If you pass, you get a Temporary Vocational Licence the same day. Your Digital LTA Vocational Licence appears in the Singpass app within 20 working days. If you fail a paper, you can book a re-test at the test centre LTA has appointed.

Validity: The licence lasts 3 years. From age 67 it may be issued for a shorter period, and the legal age limit is 75. Fees and rules can change, so check the LTA OneMotoring vocational licence page before you apply.

Worked examples: how to reason through TDVL questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What should a taxi driver do if the 'Check Engine' light activates and remains on during a shift?

1. Continue the shift and report it at the end of the day
2. Immediately stop and call a tow truck
3. Notify the dispatcher or fleet supervisor and follow their guidance on removing the vehicle from service
4. Reset the light by disconnecting the battery briefly

Answer: C. Notify the dispatcher or fleet supervisor and follow their guidance on removing the vehicle from service

Explanation:

Correct: C. A Check Engine light that stays on means the car has found a fault. A taxi driver is carrying passengers in a vehicle that belongs to a fleet, so the decision should go to the dispatcher or fleet supervisor. They can say whether the car can carry on or must be taken out of service.

A is wrong because waiting until the end of the shift means you keep driving passengers in a car that may be unsafe. B is wrong because calling a tow truck straight away skips the operator's procedure and may not be needed. D is wrong because disconnecting the battery only hides the warning. It does not fix the fault and can cause other problems.

Rule to remember: report warning signs through the proper channel. Do not ignore them or deal with them on your own.

Example 2

Question: For how long must an applicant typically hold a valid driver's license before applying for a TDVL?

1. 6 months
2. 1 year
3. 2 years
4. 5 years

Answer: B. 1 year

Explanation:

Correct: B, 1 year. LTA requires TDVL applicants to have held a Class 3/3A driving licence for more than 1 year. The idea is that you have real driving experience before you start driving paying passengers.

A, 6 months, is too short and does not meet the rule. C, 2 years, and D, 5 years, are longer than LTA asks for. Someone with that much experience would qualify, but neither is the minimum the question asks about.

Rule to remember: the experience rule is only one part of eligibility. You must also be a Singapore Citizen, be old enough and have basic English. Learn all the conditions together, because questions often test one condition at a time.

Example 3

Question: Why does the TDVL include a component on regulatory knowledge and taxi laws?

1. To prepare drivers to challenge unfair regulations in court
2. To ensure drivers understand the legal framework governing their professional conduct
3. To test drivers' ability to memorize obscure legal codes
4. Because it is required only in certain states, not nationally

Answer: B. To ensure drivers understand the legal framework governing their professional conduct

Explanation:

Correct: B. The rules and regulations part of the TDVL checks that you know the laws that govern how a taxi driver works. These cover how you treat passengers, collect fares and run the vehicle. Knowing them protects passengers and keeps you out of trouble with the law.

A is wrong because the test is about following the rules, not challenging them in court. C is wrong because the content is the everyday rules a working driver needs, not obscure legal codes to memorise. D is wrong because the TDVL is a Singapore licence issued by LTA. It is not split by state.

Rule to remember: when a question asks why a topic is in the test, pick the answer about safe, lawful service to passengers.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official source. Read the LTA OneMotoring vocational licence page and your approval letter. Note your two deadlines: register for the course within 4 months and pass the test within 12 months. Then work back from them to plan your study.

Go through each paper in turn.

• Paper A (safety and passenger handling): use Vehicle Safety and Inspection, Client Communication and Service and Professional Ethics and Conduct.
• Paper B (rules and regulations): use Regulatory Compliance, Legal Principles and Foundations and Risk Management and Liability.
• Paper C (routes and route planning): we do not have a routes set. Use your course materials and practise planning trips between common places in Singapore.

Learn the process too. Eligibility Requirements and Application and Registration Process cover the steps and conditions.

Review your mistakes. For every wrong answer, read the explanation and write down the rule in your own words. Check that rule against your course notes, then retry the set a few days later. Our questions are practice material, not real exam questions. Your training course and LTA are the final word.